The James Wilson Foundation on Natural Rights and the American Founding

In 2021, JWI begins a collaborative partnership with the Liberty Fund’s online journal, Law & Liberty. Led by its Director, Richard Reinsch, Law & Liberty has become one of the premier journals on the Right for writing on jurisprudence, politics, and the culture. Prof. Hadley Arkes opened our first symposium in February 2021 with “Letter to a […]

In an essay for Public Discourse, JWI Affiliated Scholar Josh Hammer implores conservatives to embrace a new approach to originalism that emphasizes the common good. He argues that originalism has become entirely unmoored from conservatism rightly understood, particularly in light of Justice Gorsuch’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. It must be replaced by a […]

In an essay for the print edition of First Things, JWI Senior Scholar and Trustee Gerry Bradley argues that the dominant form of originalism has failed conservatives time and time again in matters of moral consequence, and a reassessment of it is in order. Originalism, he writes, does indeed remain the correct way of deciding […]

In 2021, JWI begins a collaborative partnership with the Liberty Fund’s online journal, Law & Liberty. Led by its Director, Richard Reinsch, Law & Liberty has become one of the premier journals on the Right for writing on jurisprudence, politics, and the culture. With this feature piece, Prof. Hadley Arkes opens our first symposium with […]

In his column for The Catholic Thing, Professor Hadley Arkes details Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse’s recent efforts as lead sponsor to pass a bill that would protect babies who survive botched abortions. This is an updated version of the Born-Alive bill Arkes has shaped for nearly twenty years. While Sasse should be praised for his […]

We are pleased to introduce three new additions to our 2021 JWI Board of Trustees: Mrs. Mary Ellen Bork, Prof. Gerry Bradley and Mr. Michael Crofton. Mary Ellen Bork is a freelance writer and lecturer on issues of Catholic life and culture. Over the years, she has been an advocate for the pro-life and conservative legal movements, promoting Catholic culture […]

In an essay for the Federalist, JWI founder and director Professor Hadley Arkes explores the Court’s approach to demonstrations under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. He examines how Supreme Court justices have regarded with concern the right of protestors to demonstrate in particular locations, such as outside the Supreme Court while trials are underway. Justices […]

In a piece for Newsweek, Josh Hammer explores how conservatives should approach the issue of free speech from both a practical and philosophical perspective, in light of past comments made by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) that have recently surfaced. Although Hammer acknowledges the Left’s hostility to free speech, he cautions conservatives against appealing to […]

In a brief response to a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, friend of JWI David Collins notes that Thomas Jefferson did not understand the Bill of Rights as granting religious liberty. Rather, Jefferson held that the right to religious freedom was a natural one that pre-existed government. Therefore the state exists to protect free exercise […]

In an essay for Real Clear Public Affairs, Professor Daniel Mahoney of Assumption University argues that the American Founding presupposed a belief in moral facts and the immutability of human nature. The Founding Fathers, and the American people more broadly, understood that society required a strong moral foundation. They knew that self-government required a virtuous […]