Harvey Mansfield, a prominent conservative thinker and professor at Harvard, joins Yascha Mounk to dissect the nuances of American liberalism. They discuss Donald Trump's impact on conservatism and explore Alexis de Tocqueville's timeless insights regarding democracy and individualism. The conversation highlights the tension between democratic ideals and the prevalence of political vulgarity, while also critiquing modern conservatism's challenges. Additionally, they consider strategies for restoring open discourse and fostering connections among voters across the political spectrum.
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insights INSIGHT
Conservative Liberalism
Conservatives should uphold Locke's liberalism: toleration and private property.
These principles, protected by constitutionalism, form a basis for a two-party system.
insights INSIGHT
The Illusion of Control
Both progressives and some conservatives wrongly assume unconstrained government will favor them.
Constitutionalism protects against majority tyranny, which can resemble the common good.
insights INSIGHT
Trump as Demagogue
Trump is a demagogue driven by a desire to be loved, not conviction.
He opportunistically hijacked the Republican Party, but his ideology is contingent.
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Written after his travels in the United States, 'Democracy in America' is a comprehensive study of American society and government. Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution and its impact on American life, discussing topics such as the sovereignty of the people, the role of civil society, the dangers of the tyranny of the majority, and the influence of religion and individualism. The book is a philosophical and political analysis that aims to understand why republican representative democracy succeeded in the United States while failing in other places, and it offers insights into the future of democracy both in America and globally[2][3][4].
Harvey Mansfield is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government at Harvard University and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. One of the old guard of American conservative thought, he has taught at Harvard since 1962, and counts among his former students Andrew Sullivan, Francis Fukuyama, and Bill Kristol.
In this week’s conversation, Harvey Mansfield and Yascha Mounk discuss the nature of American liberalism, Donald Trump’s effect on conservatism, and Alexis de Tocqueville’s enduring relevance.
The Good Fight 