The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Was the cruelty the point?

Aug 23, 2021

Adam Serwer, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of "The Cruelty Is the Point," dives into the strategic use of cruelty in American politics, particularly during the Trump era. He explores the moral implications of such tactics and how they fracture society, questioning the nation's commitment to equality. The discussion also touches on the fraught dynamics of civility in political discourse and the challenges posed by anti-Critical Race Theory initiatives. Ultimately, Serwer reflects on the evolving landscape of American politics and the future of democratic engagement.

01:01:07

Episode guests

Adam Serwer

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

The Politics of Cruelty

19min

The Complexity of Civility in Political Discourse

5min

Shifting Landscapes: The Future of American Politics

6min

Debate on Anti-Critical Race Theory Initiatives

8min

Race, Politics, and the Quest for Justice

12min

The Republican Party's Democratic Dilemma After Trump

2min

Engaging with Political Discourse and Differing Viewpoints

3min

Vox's Sean Illing talks with Adam Serwer, whose new book The Cruelty Is the Point documents the role of cruelty in American politics, the way it was weaponized by the GOP during the Trump administration, and how these tactics could continue to shape the future of America.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Adam Serwer (@AdamSerwer), staff writer, The Atlantic

References:

The Cruelty is the Point: The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America by Adam Serwer (One World; 2021)
"The Cruelty Is the Point" by Adam Serwer (The Atlantic; Oct. 3, 2018)
"The Great Awokening" by Matt Yglesias (Vox; Apr. 1, 2019)

Enjoyed this episode? Rate Vox Conversations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of Vox Conversations by subscribing in your favorite podcast app.

Support Vox Conversations by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.