Johnathan Bi The Next Best Alternative to Libertarianism | Palantir Cofounder Joe Lonsdale’s Political Philosophy
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Oct 3, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir, dives into his vision of political philosophy fused with practical governance. He advocates for Western virtues and civic responsibility while critiquing modern bureaucracy's failures. Lonsdale outlines Cicero's three-part republic and argues for elite-based representation. He emphasizes the need for market incentives in public programs, assesses the influence of the billionaire class, and discusses the balance between security and liberty at Palantir. An intellectual feast for those interested in governance and reform!
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Restore A Balanced Triad
- A functioning republic needs three balanced bodies: commoners, an aristocratic senate, and an executive.
- America lost its effective aristocratic body, producing plebeian-driven bureaucracy instead of a deliberative elite.
Make Representation Proportional To Contribution
- Consider giving people proportional Senate representation by tax contribution to represent those paying into the system.
- Use that mechanism to create an elite check while keeping a populist House as a counterbalance.
Recover The Heroic Tradition
- Ancient heroic models like Xenophon's Cyrus emphasize virtue, mercy, and disciplined leadership as civic exemplars.
- Modern culture overweights Machiavellian cynicism and neglects the classical hero tradition.
