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The American Reformer Podcast

American Reformer Podcast #26: Fighting Dirty is Better than Dying

Sep 14, 2023
Ben Crenshaw, a 2023 Cotton Mather Fellow and PhD candidate at Hillsdale College, joins Josh and Timon to unpack his recent article, 'The Power of Nationalism: A Defense,' the nature of the American Constitutional Order and its possible futures. They discuss studying politics at Hillsdale, the life of Jonathan Mayhew, and understanding nationalism. They also delve into the concept of natural rights and the dysfunction of government, exploring future possibilities like a more aggressive executive posture or a weakened national status.
58:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Rediscovering American nationalism is crucial to counter accusations of authoritarianism.
  • Balancing individual rights with the common good is essential for a more effective political order.

Deep dives

The Importance of Rediscovering American Nationalism

The podcast episode explores the need to rediscover American nationalism in order to counter accusations of authoritarianism. It emphasizes the understanding of nationalism as rooted in Protestant political thought and argues that it should be viewed as a means to protect natural rights, promote justice, and pursue the common good. The podcast also discusses the importance of federalism in balancing national and state powers, highlighting the need to restore local self-government. It explores the potential scenarios of reinvigorated federalism or a return to a confederate-like structure as possible ways to address the current challenges facing the nation.

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