Conversations with Bill Kristol

In his fourth Conversation, University of Virginia literature professor Paul Cantor discusses Shakespeare’s view of ancient Rome. Drawing from his new book Shakespeare’s Roman Trilogy, Cantor presents illuminating interpretations of Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra. As Cantor explains, Shakespeare’s Roman plays compel us to reflect on perennial human questions such as the tension between ambitious individuals and the political community, the relationship between philosophy and politics, and the differences between republics and empires. Cantor also compares Shakespeare’s Rome to Friedrich Nietzsche’s view of Rome. In sum, Cantor offers us an extraordinary look at a crucial part of Shakespeare's work.

Co-Director of the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, Thomas Donnelly analyzes the growing challenges to American primacy and explains why our “security, liberty, and prosperity seem to be at greater risk than at any time in a generation.” Considering mounting threats from Russia, China, the Middle East, as well as the consequences of nuclear proliferation, Donnelly argues that America has the resources to meet the challenges but today suffers from a lack of resolve. In sum, Donnelly makes a compelling case for continued American leadership in the world.

Christina Hoff Sommers is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and host of the popular online series, The Factual Feminist. In this Conversation, Sommers reflects on the “Google memo” and argues that the suppression of free speech at universities now is spilling over into other parts of American life. Sommers also returns to the subject of “GamerGate,” the backlash against political correctness by video game enthusiasts, and describes how that movement has fared in an era of online “trolling” in American politics. Highlighting the decline in free speech on one hand and norms of civility on the other, Sommers calls for an alliance of “fair-minded liberals and conservatives” to restore civic education and respect for the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights.

The latest in our ongoing series with Harvard professor Harvey Mansfield is devoted to Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) and particularly his masterwork, Gulliver’s Travels. In this Conversation, Mansfield provides an in-depth interpretation of Swift’s writing, which Mansfield calls “essentially political.” Through his illuminating analysis of Gulliver’s voyages and encounters, Mansfield uncovers Swift’s pointed though subtle critique of modernity. In sum, Mansfield argues that Swift deserves to be studied as an important thinker in the history of political philosophy.

Irwin Stelzer is Director of Economic Policy Studies at Hudson Institute, a Sunday Times (London) columnist, and a thinker who combines wisdom about politics with penetrating insights into economics. In this Conversation, Stelzer shares his perspective on threats to American democratic capitalism, including the “feeling that compensation and performance have become disconnected.” To address these current challenges, Stelzer calls for a more political approach to economics—one which is both mindful of the limitations of economics and considers the political consequences of distributional inequities. In sum, Stelzer offers a spirited defense of democratic capitalism: “not because of the goods and services it produces, but because of the freedom that it has produced.”

Ronald Brownstein is a Senior Editor at The Atlantic, Senior Political Analyst at CNN, and a shrewd observer of American politics. In this Conversation, Brownstein shares his perspective on the 2016 elections and explains why Trump’s path to victory represents the culmination of long-term trends in the ways voters relate to the political system and the two parties. Brownstein also discusses the partisan divisions in the country, today, and outlines the central political and electoral challenges facing each party—including Democrats’ lack of appeal beyond urban and coastal areas and the demographic headwinds faced by Republicans.

Mike Murphy is a Republican political strategist, commentator, and veteran of the campaign trail—having advised John McCain, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, Spencer Abraham, Christie Whitman, among many others. In this Conversation, Murphy shares his perspective on the 2016 elections, the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, and the challenges both Republicans and Democrats face ahead of the 2018 and 2020 elections. Kristol and Murphy also reflect on Murphy’s experiences in campaigns, including some notable (and comical) experiences with George H.W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Finally, Murphy considers how and why American politics has become increasingly “tribal” over the last few decades.

Martin Feldstein is a professor of economics at Harvard University, former president of the National Bureau of Economic Research, and was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Reagan (1982-1984). In this Conversation, Feldstein discusses the financial crisis of 2008, the policy mistakes that led to it, and the risks we face today from a sustained policy of low interest rates. Feldstein then shares his perspective on other important questions of political economy—including the costs and benefits of trade, the impact of technological innovation, as well as the need for tax and regulatory reform. Finally, Feldstein recalls his experiences as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and explains what we can learn from how Reagan managed the serious economic challenges of the early 1980s.

Josh Bolten was White House Chief of Staff from 2006-2009, having served as Deputy Chief of Staff (2001-2003) and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (2003-2006). In this Conversation, Bolten reflects on his tenure in the George W. Bush administration, particularly his experiences in the White House on September 11, 2001 and responding to the financial crisis of 2008. Bolten and Kristol also discuss the role of chief of staff in the modern presidency more generally and the challenges of creating processes that lead to effective decision making. The Conversation offers a fascinating insider's account of one of the most important and least understood positions in contemporary politics.

A veteran of the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, John Walters was “Drug Czar” of the George W. Bush administration (director of the White House Office of National Drug Policy from 2001-2009). In this Conversation, Walters discusses the opioid epidemic and the country's shocking passivity about addressing the crisis seriously and comprehensively. Reflecting on the devastating consequences of the opioid threat, Walters makes a compelling case for fighting back—through urgent changes to the way we approach law enforcement, combatting foreign sources of supply, education about drug abuse, and treatment for addiction.