In this re-release of an installment of a series on liberalism, Benjamin Klutsey, the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, talks with Amanda Ripley, an investigative journalist and author, about the benefits of not watching the news, the conflict industrial complex, whether divisions in the U.S. are getting worse, the importance of positive interactions and much more. 

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. 

Originally published February 24th, 2023

Other ways to connect

Follow Discourse Magazine on X

Follow Ben on X

Follow Ben on LinkedIn

Follow Amanda Ripley on X

Read more by Discourse Magazine.

Learn more about the Mercatus Center.

In this re-release of the first installment of an interview series on liberalism, Ben Klutsey, the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, speaks with Alan Charles Kors about the history of liberalism, the proper purpose of education, and the core liberal value of mutual forbearance. Kors is the Henry Charles Lea Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in European intellectual history of the 17th and 18th centuries. He has published several books and many articles on early-modern French intellectual history and was editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.

Originally published August 4th, 2020

Other ways to connect

• Follow Discourse Magazine on X

• Follow Ben on X

• Follow Ben on LinkedIn

• Read more by Discourse Magazine.

Learn more about the Mercatus Center.

In this episode of the Pluralist Points podcast, Ben Klutsey, the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, speaks with Josiah Ober, a professor of political science and classics at Stanford University, about democracy as a bargain among citizens, the necessity of civic education, the challenges of scaling democracy as populations become larger and more diverse, and much more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded June 6th, 2024

Other ways to connect

• Follow Discourse Magazine on X

• Follow Ben on X

• Follow Ben on LinkedIn

• Read more by Discourse Magazine.

Learn more about the Mercatus Center.

America has always had factions; they are a feature—not a flaw—of representative democracy. However, when civil discourse breaks down,  these factions can become so entrenched that we face the dangers of toxic polarization. This is where learning and adopting pluralism becomes crucial.

Welcome to Pluralist Points, where we unpack the challenges and opportunities of liberalism and pluralism in the 21st century.

In a world increasingly divided by tribalism and polarization, Pluralist Points aims to foster understanding, civil exchange, and the open-minded exploration of ideas. 

Each episode features an in-depth conversation that challenges assumptions, illuminates new perspectives, and seeks common ground.

Join the host of Pluralist Points, Ben Klutsey, as we navigate the intellectual landscape of liberalism and pluralism, and discover how these principles can help us build a more inclusive, tolerant, and vibrant society. 

You can follow the show on your favorite podcast app or watch full videos on YouTube. Let's embark on this journey together, one conversation at a time. 

We hope this podcast will inspire you to go out and have conversations like these yourself.