Stopping Satan in Oklahoma

Return to Order Stopping Satan in Oklahoma

The planned holding of a Satanic Black Mass in the Civic Center, a public building in Oklahoma City, on September 21, represents more than just an exercise of “freedom.” It is a highly symbolic act that signals the end and breakdown of a consensus. Recently a similar event was planned at Harvard, and failed after … Read more

The Chinese Illusion of “Free Enterprise”

Return to Order The World Is Not Flat 1

Anyone who has the illusion that the Chinese Communist Party has adopted capitalism would do well to look at exactly how the Chinese economy is run. While it is true that the Chinese state no longer runs everything directly, it does use the West and its economic mechanisms to perpetuate itself and pursue its goals. … Read more

When Architecture Disregards Reality

Return to Order Hotel #341

If there is anything that characterizes modern architecture, it is its denial of locality and culture. Modern architects proclaim their freedom from traditional restraint by putting up their eccentric structures wherever they wish. They tend to disregard many of the cultural elements of the people nearby. Traditionally, architecture was the legitimate expression of a people … Read more

What is a House?

Return to Order What is a House?

Swiss-born architect Charles-Édouard Le Corbusier (1887-1965) famously said of houses—that they were “machines for living in.” We might say of such modern architects that they are “machines that design machines…”  

Four Reasons Why Private Property Is Needed

Return to Order The Stability of Generations 2

The need for private property is hardly a mystery. From time immemorial, property has existed and can be justified by simple common sense. Aristotle gives four such reasons that can be applied to both his times and our own. We quote from economic historian Odd Langholm who summarizes these four reasons:   (1) If property … Read more

Three Ways the Media Creates Mass Culture

Return to Order Three Ways the Media Creates Mass Culture

In his book, The Horizontal Society, Lawrence Friedman list three ways modern media help create the impression of a mass culture. First, they create the impression that each person is an autonomous being living a life full of choices. Lawrence notes, “Almost every TV commercial, almost every program, carries this secret slogan.” Is Technology Ruining … Read more

Life Is Battle

Return to Order Life Is Battle

“Life is battle. It is an ancient truth. Christianity has always known it. Its validity as an essential principle of culture is already implied in our premise that all culture includes an element of striving. Striving is always battle – struggle, that is – the exercise of the will and strength to overcome resistances which … Read more

Text Stop: A Contradiction in Terms?

Return to Order Text Stop: A Contradiction in Terms?

Crossing the border into New York on the highway, I came upon a curious road sign. Everyone has seen signs for rest stops along the way to give drivers some respite and prevent accidents. This sign, however, announced something different: a text stop. Yes, a text stop. Not just one but many along the way. … Read more

Return to Order Getting Around in South Africa

Return to Order Return to Order Getting Around in South Africa

A friend of mine sent me a picture of his Return to Order.org car decal. As the reader will notice, the steering wheel is on the right side. That is because my friend is from South Africa where they drive on the right. He normally has the decal on the door. He reports numerous comments … Read more

Is this the Big One? Central Bankers from the World Over Warn of Impending ‘Perfect Storm’

Return to Order Is this the Big One? Central Bankers from the World Over Warn of Impending ‘Perfect Storm’

There is a major financial storm brewing on the horizon. Such dramatic statements have long been the staple of naysayers for decades. Usually these warnings are dismissed by the financial establishment as the ravings of fringe analysts. Yes, crashes do happen, but the naysayers are never seen as prophets, but just opportunists who happened to … Read more