Offline with Jon Favreau Is America Still a Liberal Nation?
Oct 9, 2025
Cass Sunstein, a Harvard professor and author of On Liberalism, joins to explore the fate of small-l liberal values in today's political landscape. He discusses the dangers of illiberal ideologies, comparing contemporary figures like Trump and Vance to past leaders, and emphasizes the principles of freedom and pluralism. Sunstein warns about the impact of social media on polarization and examines the balance of power within the Supreme Court. He also highlights the need for liberals to maintain core principles while engaging in practical politics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Physicists Who 'Just Wanted To Do Physics'
- Sunstein recounts physicists under Hitler who focused on physics and calculated costs instead of moral resistance.
- A Hungarian refugee observed that calculating consequences rather than morality signaled fascism's victory.
Liberalism Under Renewed Pressure
- Cass Sunstein argues liberalism faces an outpouring of illiberal thinking, especially on the right.
- He wrote the book to reassert freedom, pluralism, rights, security, the rule of law, and democracy.
Order, Faith, And Nationalism Drive Illiberalism
- Anti-liberal movements center on appeals to order, faith, and nationalism that can trump liberal values.
- These emotional appeals explain why illiberal ideas gain traction despite moral costs.
