The Importance of Institutions in a Long History of Statehood

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I find most people, those moments of suffering deepen them, spiritualize them. The people who've been through deep suffering, it sort of breaks the ego and they are less self obsessed. It's very hard to impose institutions that require high trust onto societies that have low trust. I'm not sure we have that choice. Next question. You mentioned that you're a cultural determinist. And so looking at, for example, North and South Korea or 20, 30 years ago, Hong Kong, China, it seems to me that there is a difference combined with the fact that there is this what's called the deep roots literature and economics.

For two hours every morning, David Brooks crawls around his living room floor, organizing piles of research. Then, the piles become paragraphs, the paragraphs become columns or chapters, and the process - which he calls "writing" - is complete.

After that he might go out and see some people. A lunch, say, with his friend Tyler. And the two will discuss the things they're thinking, writing, and learning about. And David will feel rejuvenated, for he is a social animal (as are we all).

Then one day David will be asked by Tyler to come on his show, and perform this act publicly. To talk about his love for Bruce Springsteen, being a modern-day Whig, his "religious bisexuality," covenants vs. contracts, today's answer to the "Fallows Question," why failure is overrated, community and loneliness, the upside of being invaded by Canada, and much more.

And though he will be intimidated, David will oblige, and the result is here for you to enjoy.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.

Recorded May 14th, 2018 Other ways to connect

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