The Ezra Klein Show Behind Trump and Vance Is This Man’s Movement
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Aug 1, 2025 
Yoram Hazony, an Israeli political theorist and author of "The Virtue of Nationalism," dives into the fractured nature of American identity. He discusses JD Vance's critique of elite culture and the challenges of a cohesive national narrative. The conversation explores the intersection of nationalism and loyalty, questioning the complexities of American diversity. Hazony also examines the ideological rift between liberalism and nationalism, highlighting how these tensions reshape modern conservatism and American identity amidst a backdrop of political resentment.
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Vance on American Identity Crisis
- JD Vance argues America has become too broad in defining who is American, weakening national identity.
- He believes Americaness should focus on lineage and historical connection rather than broad ideals or creeds.
Nationhood Rooted in Loyalty
- Nations form naturally from families and tribes united by mutual loyalty, beyond legal symbols like flags.
- Most people remain loyal to inherited affiliations rather than adopting new ideas independently.
Warning Against Fragmentation
- Countries like Syria and Iraq lacked a unifying tribal cohesion and remain unstable.
- Hazony worries the U.S. risks similar fragmentation without a strong cohesive national identity.
