Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 3d

Now an IHS scholar, she helps students keep those ideas alive through open debate and a spirit of discovery.

Read the full story here: www.theihs.org/blog/a-jolt-....

A Jolt of Freedom: Paula Ganga’s Discovery of Ideas as Living Things

From post-dictatorship Romania to the classroom, Paula Ganga’s journey explores the moral foundations of freedom and why ideas still matter.

www.theihs.org

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 3d

After the revolution, a black-and-white TV flickered with something radically new.

For a young Paula Ganga, it was her first glimpse of freedom—an awakening that shaped her life’s work: bringing foundational ideas to life.

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 4d

100 scholars. Cutting-edge AI tools. One purpose: advancing human scholarship in the age of machines.

Launching today: The Cosmos x IHS AI-Accelerated Scholarship Program.

Priority deadline: Dec. 1
👉 Apply here: www.theihs.org/ai-accelerat...

AI Accelerated Scholarship

www.theihs.org

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 7d

When housing and opportunities shrink, freedom feels further away.

In his latest piece for @theconversation.com, IHS scholar Rohan Shah looks at why more young adults are living with their parents—and what it means for independence today.👇

theconversation.com/more-young-a...

More young adults are living with their parents than previous generations did

Rising housing costs are driving young adults back home – and reshaping careers, relationships and the economy.

theconversation.com

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 8d

Passions often move politics more than reason or empathy. How can democracy withstand demagoguery in an age of heightened emotion?

Join @ismapolicy.bsky.social, IHS, & Bill Galston for drinks + discussion tonight.

Oct 9 | 5 PM | The Crown & Crow, DC. RSVP 👇
www.theihs.org/academic-pro...

Discussion-Based Events

Experience academic environments where current and aspiring scholars share ideas and engage in meaningful discourse.

www.theihs.org

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 9d

A free society depends on honest memory. We can face Churchill’s flaws without giving up his fight against tyranny.

Read the latest from Michael Tolhurst, managing director of academic relations at IHS, in @liberalcurrents.com. ⬇️

www.liberalcurrents.com/a-popular-fr...

A Popular Front of Memory

As the right begins to revise their view of Hitler, we must revive the example Churchill set in that era.

www.liberalcurrents.com

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 15d

When politics runs on rage instead of reason, how do free societies hold up?

William Galston joins IHS and @ismapolicy.bsky.social for an evening on democracy & demagoguery.

Oct 9 | 5 PM | The Crown & Crow, DC. RSVP 👇
www.theihs.org/academic-pro...

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 16d

Celebrate America’s 250th by creating programs that inspire the next generation with freedom’s founding ideas. Faculty can apply for up to $20K by Nov 15! Details 👉
www.theihs.org/funding-oppo...

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · 23d

Are you a current or recent graduate student conducting research on state-level public policy? Join us for a one-day virtual workshop on Saturday, November 8, to sharpen your work and connect with peers and mentors in the policy space.

Apply by October 10:
www.theihs.org/academic-pro...

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 16

Our president, @emilychamleewright.bsky.social, sat down with @rstreet.bsky.social to discuss what it takes to “fireproof” the principles of a free society.

Thoughtful, clear, and deeply human reflections on resilience & freedom.

🔗 realinsights.rstreet.org/p/what-can-w...

What can we be doing today that fireproofs liberal principles?

The Four Corners of Liberalism: A Conversation with Emily Chamlee-Wright, hosted by Erica Schoder as part of the Real Insights interview series from R Street Institute

realinsights.rstreet.org

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 15

Read it here: www.theihs.org/blog/justice...

Justice: Freedom in Practice

Justice begins with the recognition that people are moral agents, capable of making decisions for themselves and pursuing their own goals.

www.theihs.org

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 15

Justice is not about punishing people into order. It is about building fairness into freedom.

A just society respects rights, honors promises, and resolves conflict with reason—not power.

Our latest piece explores how justice is the foundation of a voluntary and peaceful society⬇️

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 12

Now his work is before the Court, testing whether presidents can claim sweeping tariff powers under “emergency” law.

Read the full story here: www.theihs.org/blog/the-sov...

The Soviet-Born Scholar Who Took on Trump’s Tariffs

Somin's story is a reminder that freedom is fragile, but worth defending—in classrooms, in courts, and in everyday life.

www.theihs.org

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 12

From family memories to the Supreme Court, this is the story of an IHS scholar who took on Trump’s tariffs. @ilyasomin.bsky.social grew up hearing his parents’ stories of life under Communism.

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 9

Big news: IHS has received a $1.5M grant from the @templetonfdn.bsky.social.

Over the next 3 years, the Accelerating Classical Liberal Research Across Divides project will mentor scholars, bridge divides, and reconnect scholarship with public life.

Check out the full story⬇️

IHS Receives $1.5M to Rebuild the Intellectual Infrastructure of Freedom

The Institute for Humane Studies has received a $1.5M grant from the John Templeton Foundation to launch a three-year initiative—Accelerating Classical Liberal Research Across Divides—supporting schol...

www.theihs.org

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 8

Are you going to #APSA2025 in Vancouver on September 11–14? Swing by the IHS booth to connect with us about our programs, conference reception, and other opportunities.

Learn more about IHS events on our website: www.theihs.org/academic-pro...

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Sep 8

Turning soldiers into cops blurs important lines in a free society.

Read the latest from IHS Scholar @lukewilliamhunt.bsky.social in @theconversation.com ➡️

theconversation.com/trumps-deplo...

Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to fight crime blurs the legal distinction between the police and the military

A former FBI agent-turned-scholar says using National Guard troops to reduce crime in cities such as Chicago and Baltimore would violate legal prohibitions against domestic military law enforcement.

theconversation.com

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Aug 19

🔗 www.persuasion.community/p/rules-matt...

Rules Matter More Than Rulers

A thought experiment for a post-Trump America.

www.persuasion.community

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Aug 19

Lasting freedom doesn’t depend on who holds power—it depends on the institutions & norms that restrain it.

When rules are predictable & fair, individuals can flourish regardless of political shifts.

Don’t miss the latest from IHS President @emilychamleewright.bsky.social in Persuasion👇

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Aug 18

What goes unsaid for too long will eventually go unthought.
Free speech isn’t just a right—it’s a mechanism for progress.

In our latest essay, we explore why freedom of expression is fading and what we must do to preserve it.

🔗 Read: www.theihs.org/blog/freedom...

Freedom of Expression: The Safeguard of Liberty and Discovery

The freedom of expression guarantees the right to voice one’s thoughts, challenge authority, confront orthodoxy, and exchange ideas.

www.theihs.org

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Reposted by Institute for Humane Studies

Emily Chamlee-Wright @emilychamleewright.bsky.social · Aug 12

We don’t need better saviors, we need better guardrails.

In my new piece for Persuasion, I explain why strengthening institutional guardrails is the surest way to protect liberal democracy, regardless of who wins the next election.

www.persuasion.community/p/rules-matt...

Rules Matter More Than Rulers

A thought experiment for a post-Trump America.

www.persuasion.community

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Aug 6

Illiberalism on the right isn't a cure for illiberalism on the left.
In the latest Why Liberalism entry from Persuasion + IHS, @jonrauch.bsky.social explores how postmodern tactics—once linked to the radical left—are now being adopted by parts of the right.
🔗 www.persuasion.community/p/the-woke-r...

The Woke Right Stands At the Door

Whence comes this uncanniest of all guests?

www.persuasion.community

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Aug 6

Join us on August 7 for webinar discussions on US dollar compatibility with Bitcoin as well as Bitcoin governance and USG policy. A short, fifteen-minute break will be taken at the halfway mark.

Register here: www.theihs.org/academic-pro...

Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Jul 29

@ismapolicy.bsky.social's LibCon2025 is coming up quick. Be sure to register before it's too late!

The UnPopulist @theunpopulist.net · Jul 27

LibCon2025, convened by @ismapolicy.bsky.social, is only two and a half weeks away.

Register to hear from the following fantastic speakers—including @swordsjew.bsky.social, @dkthomp.bsky.social, @saffron.bsky.social—and many others as well!

Go here: form.jotform.com/251499093035...

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Institute for Humane Studies @theihs.org · Jul 24

Want to learn more? Watch our introductory webinar here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPu...

Introducing ScholarsEdge

YouTube video by Institute for Humane Studies

www.youtube.com