In *The Torture Letters*, Laurence Ralph explores the history of police torture in Chicago, particularly under former Police Commander Jon Burge, and its connection to broader systemic issues in the U.S. and globally. The book is written as a series of open letters, engaging with themes of racism and police violence, and challenges readers to confront these issues. Ralph combines extensive research with personal testimonies to highlight the need for accountability and reform.
W książce "Against Democracy" Jason Brennan argumentuje, że demokracja nie jest najlepszym systemem rządów. Autor twierdzi, że większość ludzi nie jest wystarczająco kompetentna, aby podejmować decyzje polityczne. Brennan proponuje alternatywne systemy, takie jak epistokracja, w których władza byłaby sprawowana przez osoby o wysokiej wiedzy i inteligencji. Książka wywołuje kontrowersje, ale prowokuje do refleksji nad wadami demokracji i możliwościami innych systemów rządów. Brennan analizuje różne aspekty demokracji, wskazując na jej ograniczenia i potencjalne zagrożenia.
In 'Cuz: The Life and Times of Michael A.', Danielle Allen shares a deeply personal story about her cousin Michael, who faced severe challenges within the American justice system. The book is a poignant exploration of family bonds, societal inequalities, and the struggles of navigating the legal system.
In this book, George F. Will provides a richly documented history and argument for a wider embrace of conservative political values. He discusses how the Founders' vision, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, has shaped American political tradition. Will argues that conservatism is under threat from both progressives and elements within the Republican Party, and he critiques the growth of the administrative state, the failure of Congress to exercise its legislative powers, and the erosion of constitutional principles. The book is a deep and sustained reflection on American conservatism, emphasizing the importance of natural rights, limited government, and the transmission of Western historical heritage[2][3][4].
My first conversation with Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen in fall 2019 was one of my all-time favorites. I didn’t expect to have Allen on again so soon, but her work is unusually relevant to our current moment.
She’s written an entire book about the deeper argument of the Declaration of Independence and the way our superficial reading and folk history of the document obscures its radicalism. (It’ll make you look at July Fourth in a whole new way). Her most recent book, Cuz, is a searing indictment of the American criminal justice system, driven by watching her cousin go through it and motivated by the murder that ended his life. Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, which Allen directs, has released the most comprehensive, operational road map for mobilizing and reopening the US economy amidst the Covid-19 crisis. And to top it all off, a two-year bipartisan commission of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, which Allen co-chaired, recently released a report with more than 30 recommendations on how to reform American democracy — and they’re very, very good.
This is a wide-ranging conversation for a wide-ranging moment. Allen and I discuss what “all men are created equal” really means, why the myth of Thomas Jefferson’s sole authorship of the Declaration of Independence muddies its message, the role of police brutality in the American revolution, democracy reforms such as ranked-choice voting, DC statehood, mandatory voting, how to deal with a Republican Party that opposes expanding democracy, the case for prison abolition, the various pandemic response paths before us, the failure of political leadership in this moment, and much more.
References:
My first conversation with Danielle Allen
Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center's Covid-19 work
"Our Common Purpose" report on reinventing democracy for the 21st century
Book recommendations:
To Shape a New World by Brandon Terry and Tommie Shelby
Solitary by Alfred Woodfox
The Torture Letters by Laurence Ralph
Want to contact the show? Reach out at ezrakleinshow@vox.com
Please consider making a contribution to Vox to support this show: bit.ly/givepodcasts Your support will help us keep having ambitious conversations about big ideas.
New to the show? Want to check out Ezra’s favorite episodes? Check out the Ezra Klein Show beginner’s guide (http://bit.ly/EKSbeginhere)
Credits:
Producer/Editer/ Jack-of-all-audio-trades Jeff Geld
Researcher - Roge Karma
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
