The Unfair Safety Net for Success
Rinzen Widjaja, a writer in Australia, wonders if for the children of the wealthiest Americans, it is almost too hard to fail.
Essays
Articles that illuminate, from policy op-eds and cultural commentary to literary criticism.
As I Think about Pope Francis
Joe Weil, a poet, professor, and Catholic, reflects on the death of Pope Francis, what he loved about the man, and what he hopes the late Pope sees differently on the other side of this world.
Why America?
Originally published in late 2020—a year when many called for a national "moral reckoning"—this personal essay by Alexander Zubatov draws on his family's journey from the Soviet Union to New York in the 1970s to illuminate why America, to him, remains exceptional.
What Moby Dick Still Teaches Us
Andy Owen, who served in the British military in the Middle East, revisits the 19th century classic, believing it can shed light on some of the most important questions of our day, when it comes to both foreign policy and ourselves.
Common Sense or Academic Theory: America's Modern Political Divide
Through a blend of political philosophy and cultural criticism, Alexander Zubatov incisively examines how the 2024 election revealed America's divide between those whose worldview is guided by the dictums of the educated elite, and those molded by their experiences living regular lives in community.
A Three-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In this rigorous analysis published in 2024, Seamus Flaherty cuts through the polarized rhetoric surrounding Israel's war in Gaza to examine hard truths that both sides must face. His historically grounded perspective offers fresh insights for those seeking to understand the intractable conflict.
Editor’s Choice: Notable Articles in 2024
Merion West contributing editor Jonathan Church reflects on the most important essays the magazine published in 2024.
What Europeans Don’t Understand about Trump
Benedict Beckeld—a philosopher who has lived and taught on both sides of the Atlantic—attempts to explain through a blend of personal insights and politico-historical analysis what Europeans are ill-equipped to understand about the leader of their most important ally.
What Europe Can Learn from the American Election
Writing from Munich, Gerfried Ambrosch considers what Europeans should conclude from the rather decisive electoral victory of President Donald Trump.
Long Live the Queen: 1926-2022
Originally published shortly after Queen Elizabeth II's death, this meditation by Englishman Henry George explores how Britain's ancient crown transcends mere symbolism, revealing monarchy's power to unify and morally anchor a nation—insights that should resonate even for us across the Atlantic.
Blues Run the Game
Merion West editor-in-chief Erich J. Prince reflects on the famous Jackson C. Frank song, the life of the songwriter, and the age-old question: What value is there in a change of scenery?
America’s Return to Industrial Policy
Should we actually want more government intervention in the economy? In this policy op-ed, Fasteau and Fletcher present a clear-eyed analysis of how strategic government support for manufacturing could restore American economic dominance while countering China's ambitions