Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Why the US Needs “Better Elites” w/ Samuel Moyn
Jul 28, 2025
Anatol Lieven, Eurasia Director at the Quincy Institute, and Samuel Moyn, Yale law and history professor, delve into the complexities of U.S. foreign relations. They discuss the Trump administration's fraught diplomacy with Russia and the pressing challenges of U.S. support for Ukraine amid rising public dissent. Moyn highlights the need for 'better elites' to ensure accountability in governance. The duo also critiques the current political landscape, emphasizing the importance of visionary leadership and reform to engage the public and combat authoritarianism.
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Checks and Balances Limitations
- The American checks and balances system often inhibits progress and enables minority obstruction.
- Despite this, Trump's breaches reveal that these mechanisms can be circumvented, showing their limitations.
FDR vs. Trump Political Power
- FDR achieved a dominant one-party state with massive legislative and public support.
- Trump lacks similar support, explaining why he can't replicate FDR's political successes.
Limits of State Progressivism
- Local progressive efforts vary widely and don't substitute for federal influence.
- State-level initiatives can't fully counterbalance federal policy or budget decisions.
