Tag Archives: LinkedIn

The Disease that Afflicts all Modern Institutions

Repatrimonialization Modern state institutions, which are supposed to be impersonal even if not necessarily democratic, are particularly vulnerable to insider-capture in a  process that I labeled “repatrimonialization.”  As we have seen, natural human sociability is built around the twin principles … Continue reading

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Political Order and Political Decay in the Time of Trump

Political Order and Political Decay is the second part of Francis Fukuyama’s epic tome of political economy begun in 2011 with The Origins of Political Order.  The 2014 follow-up fills out the 2011 tome’s theory of politics as biology with consideration of … Continue reading

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Disagreeing, Without Being Disagreeable

Can we disagree, without being disagreeable?  US House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) thinks so.  Ryan flies the flag of Jack Kemp’s optimistic conservatism.  I wasn’t such a fan of Kemp back in the day (I don’t usually trust Quarterbacks). “Ideas, … Continue reading

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Biological Foundations of Politics

“Political institutions develop, often slowly and painfully, over time, as human societies strive to organize themselves to master their environments.  But political decay occurs when political systems fail to adjust to changing circumstances.” —Francis Fukuyama, The Origins of Political Order … Continue reading

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Cloman Industrial Park

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, may have the prettiest backdrop for an industrial park you’ll ever find. Industrial Circle pictured here, with Cloman Blvd & Archuleta County’s Steven Field airport in the background. .

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Archuleta County, Colorado

Dear Friends, I am moving upstream, as the new Planning Manager leading the Archuleta County Development Services—Planning Department in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Archuleta County, population 12,244, is located at 7,000′ elevation in the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Colorado, west of … Continue reading

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Coworking in Southwest Colorado

There’s an awkward time in the life of a startup, when the idea outgrows the garage but maybe isn’t quite ready to commit to anything long-term.  It may be time to graduate, but not yet time to settle down—as an … Continue reading

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Livability Index: AARP Contributes a Tool Box of Community Indicators

If you create a city that’s good for an 8 year old and good for an 80 year old, you will create a successful city for everyone. — 8-80 Cities A well-designed place works for all of its residents, from … Continue reading

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Development Professional Available

Friends, I am currently seeking a new opportunity in community and economic development, policy analysis or public administration, particularly in the Rocky Mountain or Great Plains states.  I do my best work with a small team of professionals dedicated to excellence … Continue reading

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Fewer Births, More Deaths, Changing Migration Patterns

Where I tried to strike an upbeat note last week in finding some population growth in rural America, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) lays out the grim statistics for nonmetropolitan areas in black and blue.  From their website this week: … Continue reading

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