Michael DeMoor
@michaeldemoor.bsky.social
Political theorist and Dean at the King's University in Edmonton. Pluralism, democracy, history of political thought, but don’t expect much.
Pinned
Michael DeMoor
@michaeldemoor.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hi new followers.
I’m a political philosopher posing as a political theorist, teaching in a Politics, History, and Economics program (think PPE, but with an added H) at a small but lovely Christian liberal arts university in Edmonton, Alberta.
A bit about my interests and research in replies.
I’m a political philosopher posing as a political theorist, teaching in a Politics, History, and Economics program (think PPE, but with an added H) at a small but lovely Christian liberal arts university in Edmonton, Alberta.
A bit about my interests and research in replies.
Because the present powers that be believe that public goods are a form of theft from the rich.
They're half right (public goods decrease our dependence on the rich).
They're half right (public goods decrease our dependence on the rich).
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Because the present powers that be believe that public goods are a form of theft from the rich.
They're half right (public goods decrease our dependence on the rich).
They're half right (public goods decrease our dependence on the rich).
I should go back to work a day before all my colleagues do so that I can clear the inbox before they start filling it up as fast as I can clear it.
But I won't.
But I won't.
January 5, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I should go back to work a day before all my colleagues do so that I can clear the inbox before they start filling it up as fast as I can clear it.
But I won't.
But I won't.
I'm proud of my city for doing (and -- in the last election -- largely protecting) what a lot of other cities are really struggling to do (or to keep doing).
Not without difficulty and controversy, not without mistakes, but making real progress.
Not without difficulty and controversy, not without mistakes, but making real progress.
NEW POST
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
Edmonton’s zoning reform is working. In 2025, newly legalized eight-home rowhomes drove a record increase in homebuilding, achieved by redeveloping only 0.39% of properties in mature neighbourhoods.
www.jacobdawang.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:51 PM
I'm proud of my city for doing (and -- in the last election -- largely protecting) what a lot of other cities are really struggling to do (or to keep doing).
Not without difficulty and controversy, not without mistakes, but making real progress.
Not without difficulty and controversy, not without mistakes, but making real progress.
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
CFP: OXFORD GRADUATE CONFERENCE IN POLITICAL THEORY!
Welcoming submissions in any area of political theory—including critical theory, analytic political philosophy, and the history of political thought.
Submit by 31 January: forms.gle/v6Zv1cH7a6Da...
Welcoming submissions in any area of political theory—including critical theory, analytic political philosophy, and the history of political thought.
Submit by 31 January: forms.gle/v6Zv1cH7a6Da...
January 5, 2026 at 5:39 PM
CFP: OXFORD GRADUATE CONFERENCE IN POLITICAL THEORY!
Welcoming submissions in any area of political theory—including critical theory, analytic political philosophy, and the history of political thought.
Submit by 31 January: forms.gle/v6Zv1cH7a6Da...
Welcoming submissions in any area of political theory—including critical theory, analytic political philosophy, and the history of political thought.
Submit by 31 January: forms.gle/v6Zv1cH7a6Da...
This is true even though Canada is imperfect in abiding by its commitments according to international law.
Canada's response on Venezuela is both right, and wrong. It is right to call for all parties to adhere to international law, but the problem is that the US clearly is violating it. Canada needs to be explicit about this, because the US is not just violating Venezuela's sovereignty.
January 5, 2026 at 5:08 AM
This is true even though Canada is imperfect in abiding by its commitments according to international law.
Hmmm. Lichens do stay still, which is a plus.
But can you identify them by sound?
But can you identify them by sound?
I'm getting to the annoying stage in trying to get my birder friends into lichens
January 5, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Hmmm. Lichens do stay still, which is a plus.
But can you identify them by sound?
But can you identify them by sound?
In case it needs explaining why I might have to stop myself from wishing for bad consequences: human beings desire to be vindicated and to see their enemies exposed and confounded.
But my point here is that that desire is as unnecessary as it is misplaced: the wrongness of this action does not…
But my point here is that that desire is as unnecessary as it is misplaced: the wrongness of this action does not…
I’m trying to stop myself from wishing for horrible consequences from this. It doesn’t need to go disastrously badly for it to be unjust, illegal, reckless, stupid, and hypocritical.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
January 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
In case it needs explaining why I might have to stop myself from wishing for bad consequences: human beings desire to be vindicated and to see their enemies exposed and confounded.
But my point here is that that desire is as unnecessary as it is misplaced: the wrongness of this action does not…
But my point here is that that desire is as unnecessary as it is misplaced: the wrongness of this action does not…
So, the mercantilist is also an imperialist.
Who’d have thunk it.
Who’d have thunk it.
January 3, 2026 at 10:30 PM
So, the mercantilist is also an imperialist.
Who’d have thunk it.
Who’d have thunk it.
January 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM
The oilers are just distracted by the state of the world. Who can blame them?
January 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM
The oilers are just distracted by the state of the world. Who can blame them?
I’m trying to stop myself from wishing for horrible consequences from this. It doesn’t need to go disastrously badly for it to be unjust, illegal, reckless, stupid, and hypocritical.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
January 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
I’m trying to stop myself from wishing for horrible consequences from this. It doesn’t need to go disastrously badly for it to be unjust, illegal, reckless, stupid, and hypocritical.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
Disastrous consequences will probably come, but we don’t need them to for us to know this is wrong.
I am not, by disposition, an optimist, but I am one who tends to “well… actually” my doomsaying friends. The hopefulness of this piece is a boon in that regard.
That said, if our climate salvation really does come via the invisible hand and technical innovation, I shall have some crow to eat.
Yum.
That said, if our climate salvation really does come via the invisible hand and technical innovation, I shall have some crow to eat.
Yum.
Climate advocates lost some political battles in North America last year, but technology and economics are winning the war everywhere else.
2026 will make the inevitability of the energy transition even more difficult to ignore.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/01/02/o...
2026 will make the inevitability of the energy transition even more difficult to ignore.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/01/02/o...
How to (still) be a climate optimist
2025 was a year defined by climate policy retreats in North America — and climate technology expansion in the rest of the world. Good news: Nothing stops this train.
www.nationalobserver.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:09 AM
I am not, by disposition, an optimist, but I am one who tends to “well… actually” my doomsaying friends. The hopefulness of this piece is a boon in that regard.
That said, if our climate salvation really does come via the invisible hand and technical innovation, I shall have some crow to eat.
Yum.
That said, if our climate salvation really does come via the invisible hand and technical innovation, I shall have some crow to eat.
Yum.
I must be bad at posting because I almost never get yelled at online.
Either that or I’m just one of those sweet simple folks who can’t tell when people are being mean.
Either that or I’m just one of those sweet simple folks who can’t tell when people are being mean.
there should be a phrase to describe the accounts that basically accuse people who are like 99% in agreement with their worldviews sellouts
January 3, 2026 at 3:01 AM
I must be bad at posting because I almost never get yelled at online.
Either that or I’m just one of those sweet simple folks who can’t tell when people are being mean.
Either that or I’m just one of those sweet simple folks who can’t tell when people are being mean.
One of the features that I do miss from Twitter (besides polls, which were fun) was the ability to mute re-tweets but not regular posts from folks you're following.
I'm as guilty as the next guy, but some of you hit that "repost" button too much. I follow you for you!
I'm as guilty as the next guy, but some of you hit that "repost" button too much. I follow you for you!
January 2, 2026 at 8:59 PM
One of the features that I do miss from Twitter (besides polls, which were fun) was the ability to mute re-tweets but not regular posts from folks you're following.
I'm as guilty as the next guy, but some of you hit that "repost" button too much. I follow you for you!
I'm as guilty as the next guy, but some of you hit that "repost" button too much. I follow you for you!
Studies suggest that elected politicians and other elites consistently overestimate how conservative the general population is.
I suspect that implicitly buying the idea that non-urbanites represent the authentic people is part of the explanation.
But that itself needs explaining.
I suspect that implicitly buying the idea that non-urbanites represent the authentic people is part of the explanation.
But that itself needs explaining.
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
And I think liberals should stop taking the bait and ceding ground on immigration.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
January 1, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Studies suggest that elected politicians and other elites consistently overestimate how conservative the general population is.
I suspect that implicitly buying the idea that non-urbanites represent the authentic people is part of the explanation.
But that itself needs explaining.
I suspect that implicitly buying the idea that non-urbanites represent the authentic people is part of the explanation.
But that itself needs explaining.
I guess there’s no harm in wishing:
Happy new year!
May all the wrongdoers except me get their comeuppance this twelve-month.
Happy new year!
May all the wrongdoers except me get their comeuppance this twelve-month.
January 1, 2026 at 7:31 AM
I guess there’s no harm in wishing:
Happy new year!
May all the wrongdoers except me get their comeuppance this twelve-month.
Happy new year!
May all the wrongdoers except me get their comeuppance this twelve-month.
Instead of building a team with four first lines (which they could have easily done), they decided to create team with 2 first lines and the best 3rd and 4th line they could make.
Back in the 90s - where the idea was that you needed a “checking line” to go up against the other team’s 1st - this…
Back in the 90s - where the idea was that you needed a “checking line” to go up against the other team’s 1st - this…
No Matthew Schaefer (I would have taken Schaefer over Doughty, though I love Doughty). No Sam Bennett, which is surprising, but if they need someone to play on or over the edge, it's Tom Wilson time. No Connor Bedard, too bad. And Jordan Binnington is, uh, stretching the bounds of He Has Experience
December 31, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Instead of building a team with four first lines (which they could have easily done), they decided to create team with 2 first lines and the best 3rd and 4th line they could make.
Back in the 90s - where the idea was that you needed a “checking line” to go up against the other team’s 1st - this…
Back in the 90s - where the idea was that you needed a “checking line” to go up against the other team’s 1st - this…
This team just got a lot harder to cheer for (b/c of Wilson TBC, got nothing as such against Thompson).
Capitals' team reporter saying Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson are being named to men's Canada roster for Milan
Rest of team to be revealed shortly
Rest of team to be revealed shortly
December 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This team just got a lot harder to cheer for (b/c of Wilson TBC, got nothing as such against Thompson).
Huh.
Rebecca Schultz is resigning as Minister and by May as MLA. Another sign that a 2026 provincial election is coming?
December 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Huh.
As a bookish lad from the lower mainland who loved Monty python and politics and who was obsessed with indie rock but was also basically aware that I was not cool enough to be an indie rocker, Nardwuar was an inspiration to me. Congrats and keep on rockin in the free world, nardwuar!
I am honoured to announce I’ve been appointed as a member to the Order of Canada. Thank you to everyone for the support! I dedicate this to my late Mom who taught me so much about history, local independent media & research. I know that she would be, like me, screaming with joy! #orderofcanada
December 31, 2025 at 4:44 PM
As a bookish lad from the lower mainland who loved Monty python and politics and who was obsessed with indie rock but was also basically aware that I was not cool enough to be an indie rocker, Nardwuar was an inspiration to me. Congrats and keep on rockin in the free world, nardwuar!
Reposted by Michael DeMoor
Reminder: applications open for a funded doctoral position (2026-2929) with me at Campion Hall, University of Oxford.
For those working in the field of ECOTHEOLOGY via systematic, political or applied theology approaches.
See here:
lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/news/applica...
For those working in the field of ECOTHEOLOGY via systematic, political or applied theology approaches.
See here:
lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/news/applica...
December 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reminder: applications open for a funded doctoral position (2026-2929) with me at Campion Hall, University of Oxford.
For those working in the field of ECOTHEOLOGY via systematic, political or applied theology approaches.
See here:
lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/news/applica...
For those working in the field of ECOTHEOLOGY via systematic, political or applied theology approaches.
See here:
lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/news/applica...
Raise my taxes.
The death of an Alberta patient waiting for ER care is a tragic, but predictable outcome of provincial government funding decisions
Alberta is an outlier when it comes to declining real per capita hospital expenditures from 2013 to 2022
These decisions have consequences
Alberta is an outlier when it comes to declining real per capita hospital expenditures from 2013 to 2022
These decisions have consequences
December 30, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Raise my taxes.
Over traditional new year’s oliebollen, I was bantering with a friend about all the culturally varied ways of making fried dough.
Post yours (or your favourites) below.
Oliebollen (oil balls) are Dutch fried dough, often with currants, raisins, apple) served with icing sugar.
Post yours (or your favourites) below.
Oliebollen (oil balls) are Dutch fried dough, often with currants, raisins, apple) served with icing sugar.
December 30, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Over traditional new year’s oliebollen, I was bantering with a friend about all the culturally varied ways of making fried dough.
Post yours (or your favourites) below.
Oliebollen (oil balls) are Dutch fried dough, often with currants, raisins, apple) served with icing sugar.
Post yours (or your favourites) below.
Oliebollen (oil balls) are Dutch fried dough, often with currants, raisins, apple) served with icing sugar.
After a dry late summer and fall, it’s good to have a decent snow pack at Elk Island National Park. May it last and increase and give us a timely thaw so that @jonathandemoor.bsky.social can burn a good chunk of the park come spring.
With @nyhofs.bsky.social
With @nyhofs.bsky.social
December 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
After a dry late summer and fall, it’s good to have a decent snow pack at Elk Island National Park. May it last and increase and give us a timely thaw so that @jonathandemoor.bsky.social can burn a good chunk of the park come spring.
With @nyhofs.bsky.social
With @nyhofs.bsky.social
I’ve wondered for a while about what the difference is between political philosophers and political theorists. At my most cynical, I’ve thought that the difference is that philosophers work in philosophy departments and theorists work in political science departments.
My slightly less cynical …
1/
My slightly less cynical …
1/
December 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM
I’ve wondered for a while about what the difference is between political philosophers and political theorists. At my most cynical, I’ve thought that the difference is that philosophers work in philosophy departments and theorists work in political science departments.
My slightly less cynical …
1/
My slightly less cynical …
1/