Mormonism's Intricate Role in American History and Politics

On land conflicts, MAGA , and the frontier.

Journalist James Pogue talks to George and Alex about his book Chosen Country: A Rebellion in the West. The book concerns the events surrounding the 2016 armed occupation of the Oregon Malheur National Wildlife Refuge led by the rancher Ammon Bundy. We discuss:

• Why were these 2016 events so important and so telling?

• Is the Jacksonian concept of America still relevant?

• Does knowing how these people think enable you to predict what Trump – or JD Vance – will do?

• How is Mormonism the encapsulation of a certain America?

• Is the division on the Right about 'winners' versus 'losers' (or lost-causers)?

• Is this story also America First versus Globalists?

• How unique is the US's forms of political polarisation?