Michael DeMoor
@michaeldemoor.bsky.social
Political theorist and Dean at the King's University in Edmonton. Pluralism, democracy, history of political thought, but don’t expect much.
Pinned
Michael DeMoor
@michaeldemoor.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hi new followers.
I’m a political philosopher posing as a political theorist, teaching in a Politics, History, and Economics program (think PPE, but with an added H) at a small but lovely Christian liberal arts university in Edmonton, Alberta.
A bit about my interests and research in replies.
I’m a political philosopher posing as a political theorist, teaching in a Politics, History, and Economics program (think PPE, but with an added H) at a small but lovely Christian liberal arts university in Edmonton, Alberta.
A bit about my interests and research in replies.
@profanity.accountant please vindicate me as a gentleman and a scholar and not a (public) pottymouth.
November 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
@profanity.accountant please vindicate me as a gentleman and a scholar and not a (public) pottymouth.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
Controversial opinion: I think that political parties should have a consistent party line on fundamental questions of national unity. Allowing a separatist faction to grow in a federalist party (or vice versa) is asking for trouble, not only for your party but for the common good.
The UK Tories… 1/
The UK Tories… 1/
Plenty of boobirds as Danielle Smith continues to make the pitch that Alberta and the feds are making progress on their partnership.
November 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Controversial opinion: I think that political parties should have a consistent party line on fundamental questions of national unity. Allowing a separatist faction to grow in a federalist party (or vice versa) is asking for trouble, not only for your party but for the common good.
The UK Tories… 1/
The UK Tories… 1/
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
Pulled together some of my thoughts on AB - CAN agreement here. Simply put, this agreement is likely to deepen divides in the country, not heal them.
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
MOU Problems
While intended to heal the rift in Canadian unity, the agreement between federal and Alberta provincial governments risks leaving the country even more divided
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Pulled together some of my thoughts on AB - CAN agreement here. Simply put, this agreement is likely to deepen divides in the country, not heal them.
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
As City Council debates budget and a potential 6.4% property tax increase, comments sections are FULL of misinformation from people who have absolutely no idea how property taxes work
So, I guess I'm spending my saturday making videos about tax policy
youtube.com/watch?v=NjYc...
So, I guess I'm spending my saturday making videos about tax policy
youtube.com/watch?v=NjYc...
How property taxes ACTUALLY work
YouTube video by Troy Pavlek
youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
As City Council debates budget and a potential 6.4% property tax increase, comments sections are FULL of misinformation from people who have absolutely no idea how property taxes work
So, I guess I'm spending my saturday making videos about tax policy
youtube.com/watch?v=NjYc...
So, I guess I'm spending my saturday making videos about tax policy
youtube.com/watch?v=NjYc...
Controversial opinion: I think that political parties should have a consistent party line on fundamental questions of national unity. Allowing a separatist faction to grow in a federalist party (or vice versa) is asking for trouble, not only for your party but for the common good.
The UK Tories… 1/
The UK Tories… 1/
Plenty of boobirds as Danielle Smith continues to make the pitch that Alberta and the feds are making progress on their partnership.
November 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Controversial opinion: I think that political parties should have a consistent party line on fundamental questions of national unity. Allowing a separatist faction to grow in a federalist party (or vice versa) is asking for trouble, not only for your party but for the common good.
The UK Tories… 1/
The UK Tories… 1/
Nice, simple explanation, of why the “shortens the public line” argument for two-tier medicine doesn’t work.
Back in school, I wrote an essay about how two-tier healthcare would improve access for everyone.
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
Picard’s point on AB’s new “dual practice” plan: evidence shows letting surgeons bill public & private won’t fix wait times, it likely lengthens them, drains staff from public hospitals, adds red tape, and undermines access.
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
November 29, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Nice, simple explanation, of why the “shortens the public line” argument for two-tier medicine doesn’t work.
Buy this book or ask your favourite library to buy it.
So happy that "On Christian Nationalism: Critical and Theological Perspectives" is now out in print! With 19 contributors, the book addresses definitions of CN; historical development; intersections with racism, sexism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia; and practical ways to address the problem.
November 29, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Buy this book or ask your favourite library to buy it.
Some of us have been saying for a while that thinking you can control the politics of resentment is a mugs game. You reap what you sow, you don’t get to control it.
Danielle Smith: "I hope people today feel a lot more confident that Canada works than they did a couple of days ago."
UCP convention crowd: LOUD BOOS
UCP convention crowd: LOUD BOOS
Danielle Smith tried to sell her federal-Alberta energy deal to the UCP convention crowd: tepid applause.
She told them that this proved Canada can work well for Alberta’s interests: loud boos.
This ain’t a base that wants Smith to work with a Liberal PM on a better industrial carbon tax.
She told them that this proved Canada can work well for Alberta’s interests: loud boos.
This ain’t a base that wants Smith to work with a Liberal PM on a better industrial carbon tax.
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Some of us have been saying for a while that thinking you can control the politics of resentment is a mugs game. You reap what you sow, you don’t get to control it.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
Assistant Prof of Religion, World Christianity, opening:
Assistant Professor of Religion - HigherEdJobs
Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.
www.higheredjobs.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Assistant Prof of Religion, World Christianity, opening:
What's the polite and effective way to tell analytic philosophers to stop being so modest about what they do and start making bigger claims about the place of philosophy in the university?
If philosophy gets relegated, it's partly because it doesn't attract a lot of majors, but also because...
If philosophy gets relegated, it's partly because it doesn't attract a lot of majors, but also because...
November 28, 2025 at 8:49 PM
What's the polite and effective way to tell analytic philosophers to stop being so modest about what they do and start making bigger claims about the place of philosophy in the university?
If philosophy gets relegated, it's partly because it doesn't attract a lot of majors, but also because...
If philosophy gets relegated, it's partly because it doesn't attract a lot of majors, but also because...
Somehow I found the way the leftovers fit so neatly into one baking pan very satisfying.
November 28, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Somehow I found the way the leftovers fit so neatly into one baking pan very satisfying.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
I'm out of my depth on the detailed provisions of the MOU between the federal gov't and the AB gov't, so I'm reposting takes from people who aren't.
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
Great to see that BC-AB-SK interprovincial electricity transmission made today’s MOU announcement 🥳
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I'm out of my depth on the detailed provisions of the MOU between the federal gov't and the AB gov't, so I'm reposting takes from people who aren't.
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
I know I'm a bad person because, when someone I know reasonably well publishes a book, I do check whether I got a shout-out in the acknowledgments. It's even happened once or twice, which is surely the devil trying to trap me in my vanity.
Sitting down to write some acknowledgments, send me $5 if you want to be included.
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I know I'm a bad person because, when someone I know reasonably well publishes a book, I do check whether I got a shout-out in the acknowledgments. It's even happened once or twice, which is surely the devil trying to trap me in my vanity.
"It's possible to have an oil industry and not lash ourselves to its fate. But we've chosen and keep choosing to do that."
That might be the most controversial thing I've ever posted. Maybe it's not possible. Maybe it's not a choice. Maybe we haven't made that choice.
Go ahead. Set me straight.
That might be the most controversial thing I've ever posted. Maybe it's not possible. Maybe it's not a choice. Maybe we haven't made that choice.
Go ahead. Set me straight.
I'm out of my depth on the detailed provisions of the MOU between the federal gov't and the AB gov't, so I'm reposting takes from people who aren't.
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
Great to see that BC-AB-SK interprovincial electricity transmission made today’s MOU announcement 🥳
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
"It's possible to have an oil industry and not lash ourselves to its fate. But we've chosen and keep choosing to do that."
That might be the most controversial thing I've ever posted. Maybe it's not possible. Maybe it's not a choice. Maybe we haven't made that choice.
Go ahead. Set me straight.
That might be the most controversial thing I've ever posted. Maybe it's not possible. Maybe it's not a choice. Maybe we haven't made that choice.
Go ahead. Set me straight.
I'm out of my depth on the detailed provisions of the MOU between the federal gov't and the AB gov't, so I'm reposting takes from people who aren't.
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
Great to see that BC-AB-SK interprovincial electricity transmission made today’s MOU announcement 🥳
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I'm out of my depth on the detailed provisions of the MOU between the federal gov't and the AB gov't, so I'm reposting takes from people who aren't.
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
All i'll say for now is that identifying the interests of Alberta(ns) with the interests of the oil industry has been a fundamental source of...
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
The new rules will ban *all prayers in public.* That's a violation of religious liberty.
The restrictions on face coverings *also* seem to me seriously unjust— and even the paternalist justifications seems self-defeating if it leads to women simply being less able to leave the house.
The restrictions on face coverings *also* seem to me seriously unjust— and even the paternalist justifications seems self-defeating if it leads to women simply being less able to leave the house.
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The new rules will ban *all prayers in public.* That's a violation of religious liberty.
The restrictions on face coverings *also* seem to me seriously unjust— and even the paternalist justifications seems self-defeating if it leads to women simply being less able to leave the house.
The restrictions on face coverings *also* seem to me seriously unjust— and even the paternalist justifications seems self-defeating if it leads to women simply being less able to leave the house.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
MOU reactions hot take:
So about that 2050 net zero claim from the Pathways website (courtesy of the wayback machine)?
So about that 2050 net zero claim from the Pathways website (courtesy of the wayback machine)?
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
MOU reactions hot take:
So about that 2050 net zero claim from the Pathways website (courtesy of the wayback machine)?
So about that 2050 net zero claim from the Pathways website (courtesy of the wayback machine)?
Remember that pardoning one turkey implies that the rest of them are being killed for their crimes rather than ours.
November 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Remember that pardoning one turkey implies that the rest of them are being killed for their crimes rather than ours.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
IYKYK:
Richard Mailey: Homer Simpson’s gun and the notwithstanding clause policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/11/home...
Richard Mailey: Homer Simpson’s gun and the notwithstanding clause policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/11/home...
Homer Simpson’s gun and the notwithstanding clause
Provinces are invoking the notwithstanding clause at record pace. What this says about trust, power and the future of Charter rights.
policyoptions.irpp.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM
IYKYK:
Richard Mailey: Homer Simpson’s gun and the notwithstanding clause policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/11/home...
Richard Mailey: Homer Simpson’s gun and the notwithstanding clause policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/11/home...
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
No one of you is going to mistake this short column of mine for trenchant economic analysis. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt to explain to a popular audience why I think they should join the “raise my taxes” movement:
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 AM
No one of you is going to mistake this short column of mine for trenchant economic analysis. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt to explain to a popular audience why I think they should join the “raise my taxes” movement:
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
I’ll be alright.
November 27, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I’ll be alright.
No one of you is going to mistake this short column of mine for trenchant economic analysis. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt to explain to a popular audience why I think they should join the “raise my taxes” movement:
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 AM
No one of you is going to mistake this short column of mine for trenchant economic analysis. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt to explain to a popular audience why I think they should join the “raise my taxes” movement:
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
www.christiancourier.ca/raise-my-tax...
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
Many people complaining that growth should bring in new revenue, not cause a tax increase.
And it does, a bit, but mostly what we're paying for is:
- the sprawl pyramid scheme that we lose money on every neighbourhood we build and
- being the province's punching bag
And it does, a bit, but mostly what we're paying for is:
- the sprawl pyramid scheme that we lose money on every neighbourhood we build and
- being the province's punching bag
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Many people complaining that growth should bring in new revenue, not cause a tax increase.
And it does, a bit, but mostly what we're paying for is:
- the sprawl pyramid scheme that we lose money on every neighbourhood we build and
- being the province's punching bag
And it does, a bit, but mostly what we're paying for is:
- the sprawl pyramid scheme that we lose money on every neighbourhood we build and
- being the province's punching bag
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
My book, Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death, is 50% off throughout Nov with code CONFSHIP from the publisher’s site. Tell your friends!
wipfandstock.com/978166670304...
wipfandstock.com/978166670304...
November 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
My book, Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death, is 50% off throughout Nov with code CONFSHIP from the publisher’s site. Tell your friends!
wipfandstock.com/978166670304...
wipfandstock.com/978166670304...