So I’ve neglected to tell you that I’m editor of what some say is the best journal around on the relationship between political philosophy and public policy — Perspectives on Political Science.

We’ve published many of the leading “public intellectuals” who walk that line. I won’t disincentivize your impulse to Google by giving you a list.

Coming up is an issue edited by Peter Minowitz (the guy who diagnosed that dreaded malady Straussophobia) on the issue of esotericism. The authors will focus on the new book by Arthur Melzer. What’s the relevance to public policy today? Well, “secrets” play a big part in Peter Thiel’s pathbreaking Zero to One, a very bold and brilliant vision of the future that will be given us by founders of startups. Secrets play an equally big role in the film Interstellar, another compelling vision of our future somewhere other than on this planet. And there’s the often-noted fact that it’s becoming more difficult in a politically correct and consumer-sensitive environment for professors to actually speak their minds their straight out. You’ll be astounded by the range of contributions to this issue, but I want to keep the list a secret for now.

Another PPS issue around the corner will be edited by Joseph Knippenberg on higher education and public policy. Joe has already has lined up a number of outstanding contributors. There is, however, one key perspective that’s not represented yet.

I would like someone to defend the current system of accreditation of colleges and universities. It goes without saying that most professors “we know” can’t take it seriously, even as they’re stuck with enduring it. I’m talking especially about the mandate that all courses be justified in terms of “measurable outcomes” that meet specific “competencies.” Well, that might actually make sense for accounting, but not for the courses most of “our guys” teach. For us, all this stuff seems like soft despotism designed to increase control of administrators and their experts over the details of educational life. The threat is being “out of compliance”; the remedy is becoming more compliant. But obviously there’s a case in the other direction. Let me know if you can make it.

And I welcome any and all ideas for future issues of PPS. The very next issue in production right now will feature a symposium on Alasdair MacIntyre and America (a very hot topic for conservatives of a certain sort today) and one that provides a variety of contemporary assessments of libertarianism (which continues to be on the move). And there’s also a very deep and highly relevant review essay by our Carl on religion, as well as a pathbreaking article on the dark side of Jefferson’s devolving view on the future of slavery in America.