Politicology

Even after historic civil rights progress over the last sixty years, there’s no denying that certain groups of people still face real, serious, and even systemic discrimination.

In pursuit of justice, many well-meaning activists have made identity central to their cause—arguing, for example, that in order to right wrongs, rules and laws must treat people differently, not equally, depending on the groups to which they belong.

Whatever you think of the term “wokeness,” this new ideology has spread like wildfire through academia, journalism, entertainment, governments, and corporations, radically changing politics, policy, and our public discourse.

But what if they have missed the mark?

What if crusading identitarianism is doing more harm than good?

What if it’s actually chipping away at some of the bedrock principles of our liberal democracy?

If we want honest answers, we have to take these ideas seriously.

In this two part series, host Ron Steslow and Yascha Mounk break down his new book, “The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time.” 

In this second episode, they discuss how the identity synthesis moved from college classrooms, to Tumblr, to newsrooms and workplaces.

They discuss the common “with us or against us” attitudes the identity synthesis produces and the infighting at progressive institutions over identity issues.

They discuss the impact that “cancel culture” can have over trust in scientific research and why the identity synthesis isn’t compatible with liberal democracy.

Segments to look forward to:

(01:14) How the identity synthesis moved from college classrooms, to Tumblr, to the workplace

(10:40) The “with us or against us attitude” that dominates institutions overtaken by the identity synthesis

(16:00) The crippling infighting at progressive institutions over identity issues 

(16:50) The identity synthesis and cancel culture 

(26:32) How cancel culture erodes trust in research and institutions 

(36:21) Why the identity synthesis is incompatible with liberal democracy 

(44:00) How to handle backlash 

Get the book: 

Order a hardcover copy: https://amzn.to/3PKN6pR

Get the audiobook: https://amzn.to/3Ps7CKe

Get it on Kindle: https://amzn.to/3rpAB9B

Follow Ron and Yascha on X (previously Twitter): 

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk

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Host Ron Steslow and guests Zack Czajkowski (Principal at Title Fight), Lanae Erickson (Senior Vice President for Social Policy, Education, and Politics at Third Way) , and Jim Swift (Senior Editor at The Bulwark) break down the intra-party politics around the Biden impeachment inquiry and what it could mean for the electoral dynamics in 2024. 

They also discuss the piece by one of Joe Biden’s favorite columnists urging him not to run in 2024. 

Finally, they break down the ruling from the 5th Circuit court of appeals ruling that the White House and some government agencies likely violated the first amendment in their communications with social media companies about content moderation

Segments to look forward to:

(02:41) Biden Impeachment Inquiry

(22:12) Should Joe Biden Run in 2024?

(33:10) What’s the line between coercion and persuasion when government agencies push for content moderation?

[Politicology+] “What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate,” and why he won’t seek reelection next year. 

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Follow this week’s panel on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/JimSwiftDC

https://twitter.com/LanaeErickson

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

WP—Kevin McCarthy directs House committees to open Biden impeachment inquiry - The Washington Post

Vanity Fair—Marjorie Taylor Greene: Impeach Biden Now or I'll Shut Down the Government | Vanity Fair

NYT—Trump Privately Encouraged Republican Lawmakers to Impeach Biden - The New York Times

NBC News—Far-right Republicans tell McCarthy his impeachment inquiry won't soften their spending demands

Politico—How Donald Trump’s DOJ gave Biden a major assist in the coming impeachment probe - POLITICO

Segment 2: 

Axios—Biden's words fuel impeachment push

WP—Opinion | President Biden should not run for reelection in 2024 - The Washington Post

Segment 3: 

WP—5th Circuit finds Biden White House, CDC likely violated First Amendment

The FP—The Government Censored Me and Other Scientists. We Fought Back—and Won. | The Free Press

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You can order Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation now at https://www.jonwardwrites.org/

Jon Ward (Journalist and author of Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation) joins Ron Steslow to discuss growing up in the Evangelical Church, “Christian Trumpism,” and his new memoir.

(03:28) Why Jon wrote the book

(08:10) Being a “border-stalker” 

(14:36) The Jesus Movement 

(21:07) Understanding the different motivations (abortion and race) for Evangelicals joining the Republican party

(23:00) The insular church community and how it impacted his worldview

(30:00) How Christian belief in the end times impacts action 

(32:50) The connection between being a spiritual warrior and a political warrior 

(36:15) Spiritual ecstasy as a sign of devotion to God (and the burnout it caused)

(41:41) How anti-intellectualism reinforced the social bubble

Order Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation—https://www.jonwardwrites.org/

Follow Ron and Jon on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/jonward11

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You can pre-order Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation now at https://www.jonwardwrites.org/

Jon Ward (Journalist and author of Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation) joins Ron Steslow to discuss growing up in the Evangelical Church, “Christian Trumpism,” and his new memoir.

(06:05) Why Sarah Palin resonated with so many Christians 

(10:36) What having difficult conversations can teach you engagement and defensiveness  

(20:00) Evangelicals showing more fear than faith 

(28:50) How the structures in evangelical communities enabled Trump to distort reality 

(31:06) Right Makes Might vs Might Makes Right 

(36:32) How can outsiders engage positively with Evangelicals on reforming the movement 

Pre-order Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation—https://www.jonwardwrites.org/

Follow Ron and Jon on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/jonward11

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Host Ron Steslow and guests Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) spill the tea on No Labels’ irresponsible presidential gambit and examine the very real need for structural reform in our political system. Then they dive into rising concerns among parents about their kids’ anxiety, an award-winning essay from a high schooler’s perspective, the record low trust in public schools, and the ‘family feud’ in the GOP that presents a political opportunity for Democrats—but does the will exist to meet it?

Segments to look forward to:

(02:13)The No Labels’ presidential blunder 

(29:09) The GOP’s ‘family feud,’ rising concerns among parents, how our public school system is failing high-achievers and struggling students alike, and a political opportunity for Democrats 

[Politicology+] MAGA Republicans in Wisconsin attempting to oust a State Supreme Court Justice who was just elected in a landslide because their gerrymandered maps hang in the balance.

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Follow this week’s panel on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

WP—No Labels preps playbook to select presidential candidates, broaden support - The Washington Post

The Dispatch—Democrats Are Making a Risky Bet A With Biden 

CBS—Larry Hogan says he has "not closed the door" to running for president under a No Labels ticket - CBS News

Third Way—No Labels’ Magic Polling Asterisks 

Segment 2: 

Politico—What Republicans’ ‘Family Feud’ Gets Wrong About Parenting in America - POLITICO

The Free Press—A Constitution for Teenage Happiness | The Free Press

Politico—California kids may get personal finance 101 - POLITICO

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Picture this: It’s the middle of the Israeli summer and the sun is blazing down. Crowds of people are in the streets, banners aloft, voices raised. Protests have erupted over extremely controversial reforms—reforms that sound alarm bells about the very foundations of Israeli democracy.

Switch scenes to Chicago, Illinois. A Democratic congresswoman calls Israel a 'racist state.' Fairly swiftly, her colleagues in Washington, DC disavow her words, reaffirming the extraordinarily close but complex U.S.-Israel alliance.

In this episode host Ron Steslow and Avi Mayer (Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post) break down the judicial reforms in Israel, the tinderbox of recent protests, that incendiary “racist state” comment, and the legislative maneuvering that followed—Congress's reaffirmation that yes, we “will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.”

Segments to look forward to:

(02:00) The importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship for both nations 

(09:00) Basic overview of how Israel’s political system works 

(13:30) The aggressive push for controversial judicial reform in Israel

(24:34) How some of the proposed reforms would limit the power of the Supreme Court 

(28:20) The crisis that could arise from a standoff between the Knesset and the Supreme Court 

(31:00) What compromise might look like

(35:18) Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s remarks that Israel is a “racist state” 

(42:00) The House of Representatives’ resolution reaffirming support for Israel 

(44:44) Anti-Semitism from across the political spectrum 

Follow Ron and Avi on X (previously Twitter): 

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/AviMayer

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What will BRICS expansion mean for the United States? 

Is your pension paying for China’s aircraft carriers? 

How did China spend four years conducting an influence campaign on the biggest social media platforms before they were caught?

Why do Republican voters think Donald Trump has the best chance at beating Joe Biden in 2024?

Join our host, Ron Steslow, as he explores the latest political news with this week’s guests: Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Hagar Chemali (Former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN).

Segments to look forward to:

(02:44) The BRICS Summit and expansion

(08:01) Breaking down the biggest news about the U.S. China Relationship 

(12:44) China’s real estate market crisis 

(22:40) Is your pension fueling the Chinese military and surveillance state? 

(35:30) Meta executes its largest ever removal of accounts linked to a four-year-long Chinese influence campaign 

(:50) Why Republicans Don’t want to be saved by Donald Trump 

[Politicology+] How Artificial Intelligence will shape our elections and be a tool for bad actors on the world stage.

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Follow this week’s panel on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

You should check out Oh My World on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ohmyworldwithhagarchemali

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

CBS News—The 4 biggest moments from this week's BRICS summit — and why they matter - CBS News

CNN—BRICS expansion is a big win for China. But can it really work as a counterweight to the West? | CNN

CNN—China's Xi unexpectedly skipped a key BRICS event. No one is saying why

CNBC—China's property giant Evergrande files for bankruptcy protection in Manhattan court

WP—Opinion | Rep. Mike Gallagher: U.S. investment in problematic Chinese companies has to stop - The Washington Post

NYT—Meta’s ‘Biggest Single Takedown’ Removes Chinese Influence Campaign - The New York Times

SCMP—Republican candidates talk ‘tough on China’ as Trump skips first debate

Segment 2: 

NYT—The Thing Is, Most Republicans Really Like Trump - The New York Times

Jonathan Last—Joe the Plumber and Partisan Schadenfreude

The Atlantic—The Fourteenth Amendment Fantasy

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Hagar Chemali, Mike Madrid, and Ron Steslow discuss how Artificial Intelligence will shape our elections and be a tool for bad actors on the world stage.

What we read: 

Bloomberg—Opinion: We Need AI Arms Control to Keep the New Cold War From Turning Hot

Scientific American—How AI Could Take Over Elections--And Undermine Democracy - Scientific American

The Guardian—The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman review – AI, synthetic biology and a new dawn for humanity | Computing and the net books | The Guardian

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Catherine Sanderson (Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College) joins Ron Steslow to discuss emotional intelligence and how it impacts success in the workplace, politics, and our everyday lives

(01:40) What emotional intelligence is and how we measure it

(03:55) Why emotional intelligence is important 

(07:03) How self-awareness impacts emotional intelligence 

(10:15) How you can build self-awareness

(13:05) How regulating your emotions shapes your emotional intelligence 

(16:20) Ways you can improve how well you manage and regulate your emotions

(21:19) The importance of grit in emotional intelligence 

(24:43) Emotional intelligence and being a moral rebel 

(39:39) The “dark side” of emotional intelligence

(41:39) Why emotional intelligence needs a moral backbone 

(50:53) How you can improve your emotional intelligence 

You can measure your emotional intelligence using this test: http://bit.ly/3DPYxpX

Follow Ron and Catherine on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/SandersonSpeaks

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Ron Steslow calls Molly McKew to discuss the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, why Putin decided to kill his former henchman, and what it means for the war in Ukraine

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