The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Director Continetti

Sep 27, 2023

Matthew Continetti, director of domestic policy division at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss topics such as a potential government shutdown, the nature of populism, and the dangers of excessive populism addiction. They explore the mindset of Republican politicians and the implications of populism on intellectual conservatism.

01:19:07

Episode guests

Matthew Continetti

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Populism can be both beneficial and detrimental, with the need to redirect it towards productive ends.

Encouraging mob actions like the storming of the Capitol can be seen as inherently populist and pose a risk of devolving into conspiratorial thinking.

The rise of school choice programs has fueled the conservative policy agenda and informed public policy in other areas.

Deep dives

The Intersection of Populism and Conservatism

The podcast discusses the intersection of populism and conservatism. The speaker analyzes Mike Pence's populism speech and critiques his approach to treating populism as a distinct ideological program rather than an approach to politics. They highlight the potential benefits and downsides of populism, emphasizing the importance of redirecting it towards productive ends and avoiding its devolution into conspiracy thinking, support for strongmen, and anti-nomianism. The speaker acknowledges the challenges of reconciling populism with conservative principles and leadership as well as the impact of populism on the Republican Party.

Introduction

2min

Introducing the Director of Domestic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute

3min

Controversy Surrounding Senator Mendendez and Democratic Response

6min

Government Shutdown Looms

6min

Attitudes Towards Government Shutdowns and the Mindset of Republican Politicians

5min

The Nature of Populism and its Implications

26min

The Dangers of Excessive Populism Addiction

29min

Jonah’s travels have concluded and he’s back on the homefront, which can only be good news for holders on the Remnant bingo card. To celebrate his return, the ever-reliable Matthew Continetti is back on the program for some piping hot punditry on the latest in political dysfunction. Matt recently abandoned Jonah’s department at the American Enterprise Institute to become the director of its domestic policy division, and this betrayal won’t go unpunished. But when they aren’t viciously attacking one another’s office allegiances, the duo is able to provide incisive answers to a host of political questions. Is a government shutdown incoming? What’s going wrong with conservative institutions? How can populism be a good thing? And what will it take for politicians to stop beclowning themselves?

Show Notes:

- Matt’s page at AEI

- National Review: “Pence’s Populism Speech Was Admirable, but It Misidentified the Target”

- Jack Butler on Pence and populism

- How much do voters trust both parties?

- Jonah: “Uniform Stupidity”

- The Remnant with Tom Nichols

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