Yuval Levin, Director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute and author of American Covenant, dives into the urgent topic of American polarization. He discusses how the Constitution can act as a unifying force, contrasting current party dynamics and exploring the importance of seeing each other as humans rather than just political entities. Levin also proposes reforms like ranked-choice voting to foster cooperation and combat cynicism, urging listeners to reflect on unity during this pivotal time for the nation.
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insights INSIGHT
C.S. Lewis Shapes Levin's Thought
Yuval Levin credits C.S. Lewis, especially "The Abolition of Man," for shaping his approach to persuasion and conservative thought.
He sees persuasion as inviting others to see themselves and what they might change, an approach modeled by Lewis.
insights INSIGHT
Constitution Is a Unifying Solution
Levin argues the Constitution aims to unify a divided society by enabling collective action despite deep differences.
He sees the problem as a failure to practice constitutionalism properly, not a failure of the Constitution itself.
insights INSIGHT
Constitution Enables Unity Amid Difference
The Constitution’s main purpose is to enable unity by allowing people to act together despite durable differences.
Our failure lies in living with difference well, not in the design of the system itself.
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In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.
American Covenant
How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again
Yuval Levin
In 'American Covenant,' Yuval Levin argues that the U.S. Constitution is not the source of contemporary political discord but rather the solution. The book blends historical analysis with practical insights, highlighting the framers’ sophisticated understanding of political division and the Constitution’s power to facilitate constructive disagreement and forge unity. Levin provides a hopeful and insightful perspective, rooted in American political tradition, and offers practical solutions for reforming aspects of the constitutional order that have malfunctioned.
The abolition of man
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Abolition of Man', C.S. Lewis delivers a defense of objective value and natural law, originating from his Riddell Memorial Lectures at the University of Durham in 1943. Lewis argues that education should be conducted within the context of moral law and objective values, which he terms the 'Tao'. He criticizes modern attempts to debunk these values, warning that such actions could lead to a dehumanization of society, resulting in what he calls 'Men without Chests' – individuals whose emotions have not been trained to conform to reason. The book emphasizes the universal nature of traditional moralities across different cultures and warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the reduction of human beings to mere objects of scientific analysis[2][4][5].
Nehemiah
Gene A. Getz
The Book of Nehemiah continues the story of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, focusing on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah's leadership and determination in the face of opposition highlight the importance of perseverance and faith. The book emphasizes the significance of community and the restoration of God's people. Nehemiah's commitment to justice and his efforts to protect the vulnerable demonstrate the importance of social responsibility. The book's narrative provides a powerful example of faith, leadership, and the restoration of a community.
For Independence Day, we are running an episode of particular relevance from our archives.
Could the Constitution provide the antidote to polarization?
Yuval Levin thinks so. The director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, Levin is the author of a new book titled American Covenant. In it, and during this episode, Levin identifies the reasons people feel as though America is at a breaking point, as well as meaningful opportunities for reuniting.
He and Moore consider why fragmentation is happening, the naiveté of cynicism, and ways the party system has—and hasn’t—worked well for the United States. They discuss partisanship, the potential upsides of ranked-choice voting in primaries, and the importance of seeing one another not primarily as political beings but as human beings.
The Russell Moore Show 
