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The Tikvah Podcast

Reihan Salam on Rebuilding Urban Conservatism

Mar 7, 2025
Reihan Salam, the fifth president of the Manhattan Institute, delves into New York City's tumultuous journey from crime-ridden chaos to revitalization, thanks to innovative policies. He discusses the alarming resurgence of urban decay and anti-Semitic violence, urging a revival of urban conservatism. The conversation touches on the need for young leaders who merge tradition with modern challenges, the crucial link between housing supply and community health, and the struggles of school choice in union-dominated areas. Salam's insights illuminate the path toward restoring civic order.
42:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The revitalization of New York City in the 1990s was largely driven by innovative law enforcement strategies developed by the Manhattan Institute.
  • The rising anti-Semitic violence in New York serves as a disturbing indicator of broader social breakdown and necessitates proactive civic engagement and law enforcement.

Deep dives

The Transformation of New York City

New York City in the 1970s and 1980s suffered from high crime rates, drug issues, and public mismanagement, making it unsafe for residents, including the wealthy. However, the 1990s saw a significant turnaround largely influenced by the Manhattan Institute's research, which contributed to new law enforcement approaches adopted by Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg. These strategies targeted low-level crime, which fostered a sense of civic responsibility and order. This resurgence in civic health was later undermined by subsequent political leaders who overlooked the effective lessons from this period, resulting in a recent rise in crime and disorder in the city.

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