Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor
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Jeff Taylor was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa. He is Professor of Political Science at Dordt College. He is author of three books: Where Did the Party Go?: William Jennings Bryan, Hubert Humphrey, and the Jeffersonian Legacy (University of Missouri Press), Politics on a Human Scale: The American Tradition of Decentralism (Lexington), and The Political World of Bob Dylan: Freedom and Justice, Power and Sin (Palgrave Macmillan).  He has written for Green Horizon Quarterly, Modern Age, Chronicles, The American Conservative, FirstPrinciplesJournal.com, HuffingtonPost.com, LewRockwell.com, AntiWarLeague.com, and CounterPunch.org. He is roughly half German, a quarter English, and the rest is Irish, Scotch-Irish, and French. Jeff spent his entire life in the Midwest until moving to Alabama in 2008. He returned to his home state three years later. He has degrees from Northwestern College, University of Iowa, and University of Missouri. His research emphases are American politics, political theory, political history, and international relations. Jeff can be reached via email at wherego (at) aol.com.

Recent Essays

The Ruling Class malady

Angelo Codevilla gives us an excellent diagnosis of the problem. The cure is not explained.

Evidence Gone Missing

Who is following in Susan B. Anthony's footsteps: Connie Schultz or Sarah Palin? Is abortion an empowering right necessary for true equality, or an inhumane tragedy linked to lack of true choice?

Few v. Many: The Topsy-Turvy World of Judicial Demographics

There are many reasons to wonder about the wisdom of confirming Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court. What strikes me most about her nomination is the typically phony way Washington and the mainstream media are packaging the event.

Of Money and Mouths

We shouldn’t complain about socialists and charlatans in power if we’re not willing to fund alternatives. We shouldn’t bemoan the power of big money if we’re not willing to utilize the power of small money.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Cotton’s Court

Ralph Nader recently spoke at a university in the Heart of Dixie. We tried to build some bridges.

Come Home, America: Prospects for a Coalition Against Empire

The recent anti-empire, anti-war conference in DC could be the start of a significant Left-and-Right movement to challenge the foundation of U.S. foreign policy. An across-the-spectrum coalition has great potential but problems are inherent. Political theory and political history can provide lessons.

Colin Ward, R.I.P.

Jesse Walker has written a nice remembrance of the anarchist Colin Ward.

Think on These Things: Unexpected Sunshine in Washington

Three years ago, I could not imagine Ron Paul winning the CPAC straw poll. Now he has. The doom and gloom evoked by the rich and powerful are realities in a fallen world, but we should not fail to think about the good.

The Lost Children

In 1973, the Supreme Court handed down the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton abortion decisions. Together, they represented a serious defeat for the unalienable right to life, the constitutional system of federalism, and the principle of democracy.

Rogue Remnants: Sarah Palin continued

Here are some portions of my analysis of Sarah Palin and populism that are not included in my book review essay that appears in The American Conservative.

Christmas Wish ’09: Repelling the Martian Invasion

Christmas celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace. With all of the clerical cheering on behalf of recent wars, the intertwining of cross and flag, and the blessings bestowed on every Commander in Chief by the leading evangelists of the day, it can be difficult to discern the testimony for peace by theologically conservative Christianity. It can be found with a little searching.

Crass Christmas

The celebration of Jesus Christ's birth gives us an opportunity not only to act upon the principles of peace, sharing, and selflessness, but also to pass them onto our children in the form of Christmas presents.