Political Thought

Understanding America

The United States’ commitment to the universal truths of human equality and the right to self-government—as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence—requires a vigilant defense of the cause of liberty, both at home and abroad. Read More.

We Still Hold These Truths

"We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future," written by Heritage's Matthew Spalding, offers a bracingly fresh analysis of how and why we have lost our bearings as a nation. Read More.

Rejecting Principles in the Name of Progress

Few members of Congress have bothered to ask what the Constitution has to say on health care -- even though they are sworn to uphold the principles articulated in that document. Read More.

Understanding our political heritage is a vital part of building a stronger America for the next generation. The principles of America’s Founders must be restored to their proper role in the public and political discourse, influencing public policy and reforming government to reflect constitutional limits.

Introduction to the Research

The Heritage Guide to The Constitution

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Experts on Political Thought

David Azerrad
Research Fellow and Associate Director
Lee Edwards, Ph.D.
Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics
Joseph Postell, Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics
Julia Shaw
Research Associate and Program Manager, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics
Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
Vice President, American Studies and Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics

Our Work

Backgrounder posted June 26, 1985 by Juliana Geran Why Romania No Longer Deserves to Be a Most Favored Nation
Backgrounder posted March 15, 2005 by Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D. The Impact of Government Spending on Economic Growth
Testimony posted August 28, 2007 by David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D. The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives
Backgrounder posted August 28, 2012 by Nicolas Loris Hydraulic Fracturing: Critical for Energy Production, Jobs, and Economic Growth
Backgrounder posted January 25, 1996 by Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D. Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability
Backgrounder posted February 12, 2013 by Romina Boccia How the United States’ High Debt Will Weaken the Economy and Hurt Americans
Backgrounder posted May 15, 2013 by Lindsey Burke, Rachel Sheffield 13 Ways the 113th Congress Can Improve Education in America
Center for Data Analysis Report posted August 21, 2008 by Shanea Watkins, Ph.D., James Sherk Who Serves in the U.S. Military? The Demographics of Enlisted Troops and Officers
Backgrounder posted April 25, 2012 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Steven P. Bucci, Ph.D., Jessica Zuckerman Fifty Terror Plots Foiled Since 9/11: The Homegrown Threat and the Long War on Terrorism
Backgrounder posted May 21, 2009 by James Sherk What Unions Do: How Labor Unions Affect Jobs and the Economy

Blog Post on Friday, May 24, 2013 Morning Bell: President Obama Is Tired of Fighting Terrorism
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 President Wishes Away Terrorism
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 Crop Insurance Reform Would Save Lots of Taxpayer Money
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 Obama Administration Refuses to Label London Attack as Terrorism
Issue Brief posted May 23, 2013 by Baker Spring All Three Budget Options Would Damage National Security
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 China Renews Cyber Attacks Against U.S.
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 London Terror Attack A Reminder Terrorism Is Not Over
Issue Brief posted May 23, 2013 by Luke Coffey Withdrawing U.S. Forces from Europe Weakens America
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 DOJ Blows a "Chill" Wind Through the Media
Blog Post on Thursday, May 23, 2013 Congressional Budget Office Looks at a Carbon Tax

May 29

Event on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Masters of Nothing: How the Crash Will Happen Again Unless We Understand Human Nature
If we are to avoid a second crash, then we must achieve a better comprehension of human behavior and apply this understanding to how the — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
May 29

Event on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 The Last Days of Kim Jong-il: The North Korean Threat in a Changing Era
North Korea has remained a thorn in the side of the United States ever since its creation in the aftermath of the Korean conflict of — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
May 30

Event on Thursday, May 30, 2013 How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization
In How the West Really Lost God, leading cultural critic Mary Eberstadt delivers a powerful new theory about the decline of religion in the Western — Read more

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Jun 03

Event on Monday, June 03, 2013 U.S.-India: Prospects for Partnership - A Discussion with Members of the Indian Parliament
Join us as we examine the current status of the U.S. relationship with India – and explore how this relationship might expand. China’s rise, the — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jun 05

Event on Wednesday, June 05, 2013 Honor Flight: One Last Mission
A special screeningHonor Flight is a heartwarming documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jun 06

Event on Thursday, June 06, 2013 The Lack of Science in the Scientific Consensus: The Case of the National Climate Assessment
Global-warming alarmists continually refer to a “scientific consensus” to support drastic policy proposals. They insist on peer-reviewed publications as the standard for debate, while ignoring — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jun 06

Event on Thursday, June 06, 2013 After the 2014 Withdrawal: How to Sustain the Decade of Gains for Women in Afghanistan
Co-hosted by the United States Institute of PeaceThe Heritage Foundation and the United States Institute of Peace will co-host Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jun 14

Event on Friday, June 14, 2013 American Betrayal: The Secret Assault on Our Nation’s Character
In American Betrayal, Diana West argues that – current policies today notwithstanding – America began to abandon its core ideals and march toward Socialism nearly — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jun 21

Event on Friday, June 21, 2013 Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream – and How We Can Do It Again
In a mix of history and politics, author Rich Lowry traces Abraham Lincoln's ambitious climb from provincial upstart to political powerhouse and calls for a — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online
Jul 08

Event on Monday, July 08, 2013 Sagebrush Rebel: Reagan’s Battle with Environmental Extremists and Why It Matters Today
Ronald Reagan, with his unbridled faith in American ingenuity, creativity, and know-how and his confidence in the free-enterprise system, believed the United States would “transcend” — Read more

Attend in Person Watch Online

Blog Post on 5/24/2013 7:26:19 AM Morning Bell: President Obama Is Tired of Fighting Terrorism
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 9:51:15 PM President Wishes Away Terrorism
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 5:10:32 PM Crop Insurance Reform Would Save Lots of Taxpayer Money
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 4:00:09 PM Obama Administration Refuses to Label London Attack as Terrorism
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 3:30:08 PM China Renews Cyber Attacks Against U.S.
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 3:07:13 PM London Terror Attack A Reminder Terrorism Is Not Over
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 2:09:37 PM DOJ Blows a "Chill" Wind Through the Media
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 1:26:29 PM Congressional Budget Office Looks at a Carbon Tax
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 12:30:12 PM U.S. Broadcasting Affected by Obama Administration Culture of Intimidation
Blog Post on 5/23/2013 11:36:31 AM Brutal Murder in London Highlights Dangers Faced by Military Personnel

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