Few social scientists, and even fewer political scientists, have done as much to improve American life as James Q. Wilson, who died last week at age 80.

The following address was delivered as part of a panel discussion on The Upside-Down Constitution. The discussion was hosted by AEI and The Federalist Society.

History shows us that sovereign governments often default on their loans, particularly in times of war or economic upheaval. Europe finds itself in this situation now and would do well to examine past sovereign debt crises—particularly, the European sovereign debt crisis of the 1920s—for lessons.

The prevailing economic development narrative--that centrally planned economies are doomed to fail against market-oriented alternatives--may require re-examination in light of the experience of the two Koreas during the Cold War.

AEI's Nicholas Eberstadt demonstrates that the explanation for the divergent paths between North and South Korea is not so simple, while examining the factors that led to the outcome we now take for granted.

An unprecedented insight into the complex operations of the Korean economies in the last half of the twentieth century, Policy and Economic Performance in Divided Korea during the Cold War Era is a scholarly, comprehensive work and an invaluable resource for any student of economic history in Asia.

The United States does not need more of President Obama's failed economic policies, but instead needs a credible plan to address the deficit, reduce uncertainty, and encourage growth.

Anyone who seeks to provide serious national political leadership today--those elected in 2010 or who seek national office in 2012--owe Americans a plan to escape having to choose between investing in a social welfare state or a system in which our welfare state slowly collapses under its weight. We need tectonic changes, not minor fiddling.