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Give Them An Argument

Season 5 Episode 32: Debating Sohrab Ahmari on Tyranny Inc. + Cushbomb in the Postgame

Sep 15, 2023
Sohrab Ahmari, a conservative social democrat, discusses his book on private power in America. Ben and Sohrab agree on issues but disagree on socialism. They analyze changing political stances, distracting issues like Russia, the impact of a movie, and complexities of a strike. They explore Catholicism's influence and pursuing the common good. The podcast also touches on misconceptions about American economic views, class compromise, and power accountability in democratic governance.
01:40:27

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The founding generation in America recognized the importance of maintaining self-government through modest property ownership and a society with equal land distribution.
  • The American tradition encompasses both equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes, and the push for social mobility emerged when American society became more hierarchical.

Deep dives

The Historical American Tradition

The idea that the American tradition is solely focused on equality of opportunity and social mobility is a historical oversimplification. The founding generation, especially in the Jeffersonian tradition, recognized the importance of a society with modest property ownership to maintain self-government. They were wary of the vast disparities in wealth and believed in providing as few people as possible with a share of land. The focus on social mobility and the belief that anyone can rise to the top regardless of their background didn't emerge until the late 19th century. The push for social mobility became more prominent when American society became more hierarchical and class distinctions became harder to overcome. The founding generation had a vision of a more equal outcome, but this shifted with the rise of social mobility rhetoric.

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