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Words & NumbersWith Antony Davies & James R. Harrigan Author: CiVL
Words & Numbers touches on issues of Economics, Political Science, Current Events and Policy. Each Wednesday we'll be sharing a new Words & Numbers podcast featuring Antony Davies Ph.D and James Harrigan Ph.D talking about the economics and political science of current events. Words and Numbers is a CiVL Original Podcasts, learn more at civl.com Language: en-us Genres: Education, News, News Commentary Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 493: Principles and Preferences
Thursday, 29 January, 2026
In this episode, we examine proposals that would restrict or revoke U.S. citizenship, including the constitutional limits on forced renunciation, dual citizenship, and the government’s authority to define who belongs. We discuss population policy, free movement in Europe, and Supreme Court precedents that constrain state power over individual status. We also break down a sharp drop in the dollar, revisit the failures of mercantilism, and touch on the cultural politics surrounding Bill Belichick and the Hall of Fame. We then turn to firearms, protest, and political hypocrisy, looking closely at gun violence data, international bans, and the selective application of constitutional principles. We close by exploring free speech, due process, religious freedom, and what happens when rights give way to raw power, from domestic politics to authoritarian regimes abroad. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:32 The Exclusive Citizenship Act Explained 01:16 Forced Renunciation and Dual Citizenship Risks 02:30 Could the Government Strip Citizenship? 03:47 Population Reduction and the “100 Million Americans” Idea 05:20 European Passports, Borders, and Free Movement 06:57 Supreme Court Limits on Revoking Citizenship 08:32 Compelled Speech and Constitutional Conflicts 09:46 The Dollar’s Worst Day and Weak Currency Politics 11:17 Mercantilism and Why Economists Rejected It 12:51 Bill Belichick and the Politics of the Hall of Fame 15:34 Minnesota Shooting and the Second Amendment Flip 16:46 When and Why People Carry Guns 18:32 What the Data Really Says About Gun Violence 21:01 International Gun Bans and Substitution Effects 22:11 Protests, Firearms, and Political Hypocrisy 24:12 Republicans, Democrats, and Reversed Principles 27:39 Principles vs Preferences in Constitutional Rights 30:11 Do People Actually Believe in Free Speech? 31:35 Rights as a Defense Against Totalitarianism 32:14 Religion, the First Amendment, and Equal Treatment 33:58 The Taliban, Education, and Religious Absolutism 37:09 Why the Second Amendment Became Politically Unique 39:03 Political Violence and State Power 41:16 Due Process, Federal Force, and Law Enforcement Norms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
