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The Glenn Show

Daniel Bessner – Managing American Decline in the Trump Era

Apr 25, 2025
Daniel Bessner, a Professor of International Studies and host of the American Prestige podcast, delves into America's complex political climate and foreign policy challenges. He critiques the disconnect between political ideologies and real issues, arguing that Trump's authoritarianism shouldn't be labeled as fascism. Bessner discusses the implications of U.S. actions in global geopolitics, especially regarding China and Russia, and the pressing dangers of nuclear proliferation amid American decline, advocating for renewed dialogue and disarmament.
01:02:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The crises facing both major political parties signal a potential inability to form winning coalitions, leading to greater political instability.
  • Current political discourse disproportionately emphasizes culture wars, distracting from substantive economic issues that genuinely affect citizens' lives.

Deep dives

Political Polarization and Crisis

The current political landscape reveals crises within both the Democratic and Republican parties. There appears to be a lack of direction and coherence in modern American liberal ideology, which is facing significant challenges. Concurrently, the right is experiencing instability with its reliance on tariffs and anti-free speech rhetoric, indicating it does not present a robust political alternative. This dual crisis suggests that neither party may successfully form a winning coalition, leading to cyclical political dynamics and uncertainty.

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