This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveThis week, we’re pulling one of our favorite and most explosive episodes from the archive. This one, from May 2022, with socialist intellectual Daniel Bessner on the role of America on the world stage. We encourage all of you, especially our newest Substack subscribers, to have a listen and tell us what they think in the comments. And if you aren’t yet a subscriber, …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveCapitalism is a revolutionary force. It is not conservative. So why have conservatives gone along with market fundamentalism for so long? Sohrab Ahmari, a convert to Catholicism, has been known as a culture warrior. This time he returns to the podcast to make a surprising argument. Ahmari, the founder and editor of Compact magazine, argues in his new book Tyranny, Inc., that it’s the economy, stupid. Private power is imposing its own tyranny through tools of economic coercion that exploit workers. It’s time to redirect attention from the hysteria over “wokeness” and toward establishing social democratic protections in America. That’s a view ubiquitous on the left, but a similar case is being made on the populist right. Sohrab, Shadi, and Damir debate America’s economic order, its social contract, and whether the cruelty is the point. Embracing the label “pro-life New Dealer,” Sohrab laments the right’s obsession with the culture wars and argues that conservatives are losing sight of glaring problems in the economy. The three also delve into how an emboldened state may collide with Sohrab’s socially and culturally conservative values. In the full episode (for paying subscribers only), Shadi, Damir, and Sohrab discuss whether the United States needs to stay “cruel” in order to remain the world’s economic leader. If politics is about tradeoffs, is this the one that Americans have to accept? They cover the GOP’s economic stance and what Sohrab sees as the incongruity between the party’s culturally conservative and pro-market positions. Conservatives appreciate the need for constraints on freedom when it comes to culture and morality. Why are they so resistant to constraints on economic freedom then? Finally the three consider to what extent Protestants and Catholics diverge on key questions of social and economic justice—and whether Republican Senators like J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and Josh Hawley can succeed in ushering in pro-labor policies. Required Reading:* Tyranny, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty--and What to Do About It, by Sohrab Ahmari (Amazon).* Compact Magazine, where Sohrab is founder and editor.* Sohrab’s first appearance on Wisdom of Crowds.* The meme Damir referenced about why America doesn't have universal health care.* “On Conservatism and Capitalism,” by Damir Marusic (America’s Future).* The Great Transformation, by Karl Polanyi (Amazon).* The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America 1815-1846, by Charles Sellers (Amazon).* Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, by Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Amazon).* Abraham Lincoln’s speech at the Wisconsin State Fair. * Of Boys and Men, by Richard Reeves (Amazon).Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveWe’re living in the most prosperous time in human history with more material abundance and comfort — and yet something just feels… off. This week, Shadi Hamid and Samuel Kimbriel take a trip to the heartland to find out what that something is.In this special live recording from the Lyceum Movement’s Tallgrass Ideas Festival in Iowa, Shadi and Sam join political theorist Susan Laehn to grapple with whether a sense of meaning precedes or succeeds happiness. With the live audience jumping in with comments and questions, the three delve into the balance between personal desires and finding collective meaning in a society. Then there is the question of whether freedom, to be truly “free,” requires constraint. On this there may be some differences. In the full episode (for paying subscribers only), Shadi, Sam, and Susan take on the increasingly challenging question of how to balance individuality and community. There are dangers of going too far in the latter direction. As one audience member challenges the panel, many have fled societies because there was too much communal feeling. And then the Crowd finishes with a conversation about the role of love. It might sound corny, but trust us—it’s not. How can there be meaning without love? And is it possible to have a deeper love—with the unconditional forgiveness that that sometimes calls for without God. Required Reading:* Welcoming the Other: Student, Stranger and Divine, by Susan Laehn (Amazon).* “A Radically Condensed History of Post Industrial Life,” by David Foster Wallace.* Escape from Freedom, by Erich Fromm (Amazon).* Friendship as Sacred Knowing: Overcoming Isolation, by Sam Kimbriel (Amazon).* More about the Lyceum Movement.Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveAt a time of disruption in the workforce, rapidly shifting gender norms, a dearth of role models and declines in mental health, men are facing a distinct set of challenges that are prompting a renewed understanding of masculinity. For the last few years, viral right-of-center personalities have dominated the conversation offering men guidance that much of mainstream media has viewed as radioactive. But as the challenges men face become more apparent, others are recognizing the issue at hand isn’t just a right-wing conspiracy.This week’s guest is our very own Christine Emba who recently wrote a brilliant long-form essay in The Washington Post, “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness”. Christine scrutinizes both the provocative influencers on masculinity as well as mainstream commentators who’ve denied the problem exists, all while asking what a healthier masculinity looks like that isn’t simply femininity. The conversation with Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic dives into how the decline of religion along with social and economic dislocation have impeded relationship-building. Can a softer masculinity emerge and thrive, or is it simply incompatible in a vigorously competitive world? And what do the world’s societies risk by leaving men to the wilderness?In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) the three wade into a conversation around how the aspects of masculinity and religion interplay with fascism as they explore variants represented in religious figures including Jesus, King David and the Prophet Muhammad. They also discuss how periods of wartime have shaped men’s sense of purpose.Required Reading:* “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness,” by Christine Emba (The Washington Post).* “The Ideal Man Exists,” by Christine Emba. (Wisdom of Crowds). * Our epic episode with the pseudonymous writer The Dragoman * Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, by Christine Emba (Amazon).* “What if We’re the Bad Guys?” by David Brooks (The New York Times).* Of Boys and Men, by Richard V. Reeves (Amazon).* War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, by Chris Hedges (Amazon).* An interview with author Beverly Gage on her book, G-Man, about J. Edgar Hoover (Reason).Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveAre Muslim communities increasingly tilting to the right? After about two decades of being alienated by Republicans, American Muslims continue to align themselves with the Democratic Party. But as the country polarizes and the progressive agenda makes gains, writers like our guest find it increasingly untenable for Muslims to continue nodding along with the left’s conceptions of gender identity, sexuality, and secularism. This week, Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic talked to The Dragoman, a pseudonymous writer who wrote a fiery provocation in The American Mind titled “Meet Your New Allies”, where he makes the case for why Muslims should align themselves with the right to counter the left’s excesses. This is a provocative and wide-ranging conversation that really gets at how deep difference and philosophical disagreements are difficult to reconcile. You won’t want to miss this one.The three discuss Dragoman’s decision to remain anonymous, whether he considers himself a reactionary, his appeal to the dissident right-wing, and his plans to leave the United States to raise his children. As a believing Muslim himself, Shadi challenges Dragoman to articulate the threat to Western civilization posed by the left and the implications of aligning with the Trump wing of the GOP. In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) Shadi and Dragoman diverge on the role of Islam and democracy in shaping a moral society. It gets heated, leading to one of the more charged exchanges in recent WoC history. They also delve into the influence of Western academia on Muslim thought and the Anglo world’s limitations in understanding non-Western perspectives. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the generational differences among Muslims.To listen to the full episode, subscribe here. Required Reading:* “Meet Your New Allies,” by Dragoman (The American Mind).* Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam Is Reshaping the World, by Shadi Hamid (Amazon).* “Subversive with Alex Kaschuta” (Apple Podcasts).* “Muslims vs. Democrats: A Story of Betrayal,” by Shadi Hamid (Wall Street Journal)* The Liberal Archipelago: A Theory of Diversity and Freedom, by Chandran Kukathas (Amazon). * “Navigating Differences: Clarifying Sexual and Gender Ethics in Islam,” the statement signed by dozens of American Muslim scholars and imams. Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveDoes the United States Supreme Court’s legitimacy hang in the balance — or is it itself the balance keeping the union centered?After handing down blockbuster decisions this term on gerrymandering, executive authority and affirmative action, the highest court in the land is facing fierce criticism from progressives in the media and in elected office. This week, we welcomed Washington Post columnist Jason Willick back on the podcast to help us unpack it all. Jason discusses how the Court’s decision to outlaw affirmative action in higher education was straightforward and popular. But after the Court’s unpopular decision last year striking down a constitutional right to an abortion, the grounds for accepting the high court’s rulings based on popularity appears to be all but dependent on whether one finds any given outcome favorable. Shadi Hamid questions the coherence of liberal arguments when it comes to popular decisions that go against the left’s expectations. Meanwhile, Damir Marusic makes the case that despite it being undeniable the Court operates with political considerations, pretense is a critical aspect to the institution’s survival.In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) Shadi raises concerns about the perception of the Court’s legitimacy among Democrats. After threats against the justices and warnings from Democratic lawmakers, the three discuss scenarios that could provoke efforts to stack the deck. The conversation winds down as the guys acknowledge that when it comes down to it, the law is not neutral; it is political.Wisdom of Crowds is a reader-supported publication. To support our work and receive the latest, please subscribe.Required Reading: * “Sorry, Democrats, there is no Supreme Court ‘legitimacy’ crisis,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).* “How John Roberts is outmaneuvering his critics,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).* “This is the most mischaracterized Supreme Court case in recent history,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).* “The Supreme Court will increasingly control U.S. elections,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).* “Trump’s Justices Didn’t Doom Affirmative Action. Demography Did.” by Christopher Caldwell (New York Times).* “What’s Behind the Conservative Rift on the Supreme Court,” by Sarah Isgur (Politico).* Jason’s interview with sociologist Nathan Glazer (Wall Street Journal).* Inventing the People, by Edmund Morgan (Amazon).Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

Shadi, Christine, and Sam head to Aspen to record a live episode of the show. The crowd gets involved.The broad topic of the conversation was decline. We don’t always know how to express it, but many of us feel it: There’s something wrong with America today. The mood is tense. More Americans say they won’t have children because of climate change and other future catastrophes. But are things really as bad as they seem? Is decline something we need to accept—or is there a case for a new optimism?You won’t want to miss this one.Required Reading:* Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets, by Svetlana Alexievich (Amazon).* Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, by Christine Emba (Amazon).* Friendship as Sacred Knowing: Overcoming Isolation, by Samuel Kimbriel (Amazon).* “Five Ancient Secrets to Modern Happiness”, lecture by Tamar Gendler (YouTube). This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveThere is the Europe of politics. There is the Europe of ideas. But there is also the Europe of actual people, who live, love, die, and dream. How they live and how they hope is shaped by mass migration, climate change, the war in Ukraine, and any number of other disruptions. Who are they and what do their lives actually look like? This week, British journalist Ben Judah talks to Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic about his outstanding new book This Is Europe, a work of heartfelt and immersive storytelling about individuals amidst the forces reshaping the continent’s landscape.Ben eschewed coverage of superficial political debates and dedicated the book to tell 23 gripping stories of ordinary people — an ex-Muslim porn actor, a Romanian truck driver, a refugee olive production line worker — embedded in this new European life. In addition to relaying parts of these narratives, Ben discusses the unique approach he took, including removing himself from the frame and closely collaborating with subjects to add depth to their stories. Instead of asking them what they thought, Ben chose to ask them “how did this make you feel?” Interestingly, few of them seem to have any distinct politics or ideology, something which seems to especially intrigue Shadi. In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) the three discuss Islam’s growing footprint on a largely secular but still superstitious Europe. Ben also discusses the increasingly blurred cultural lines between Europe, Africa and Asia as well. The conversation winds down with Ben explaining the absence of Jewish stories from the book and the three circling back to a fundamental question: How do we live?Subscribers will also receive the full video of the conversation, available below. Wisdom of Crowds is a reader-supported publication. To support our work and receive the latest, please subscribe.Required Reading:* This Is Europe: The Way We Live Now, by Ben Judah (Pan Macmillan).* This Is London: Life and Death in the World City, by Ben Judah (Amazon).* The Decameron, by Giovanni Boccaccio (Amazon).Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveHow important are ideological labels and how might they change over the next generation? A lot is on the minds of Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic this week as the two go on a winding discussion about political identity and ideological shifts amid a tribalistic political culture. The guys discussed the rarity of prominent figures publicly changing their political identity and the friction among Americans in mixed ideology relationships. Having never felt confined by labels, Damir questions Shadi’s preoccupation with belonging to a “team” as Shadi ponders whether he should prioritize perceptions of his political identity, including as a critic of woke orthodoxy. Are we on the cusp of another Cold War era-like realignment?In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) the conversation pivots to declining fertility rates in the United States and the role of immigration in staving off population decline in America and other emerging economies. Damir pushes back against Shadi’s claim implying that something inherent about autocratic regimes make them more distinctly restrictive of immigration compared to democracies. The debate concludes with Damir positing that a coming ideological shift could prompt Shadi to become an apologist for colonialism.Required Reading:Zia Haider Rahman’s tweet about Shadi’s supposed existential crisis (Haider Rahman is also the author of Shadi’s 2nd favorite novel of the 21st century).“Millennials Just Keep Voting,” by David Leonhardt (New York Times).“The greatest threat to democracy isn’t what Republicans or Democrats think,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).“A Note About Polarization,” from Murtaza Hussain’s terrific Substack.“Lower fertility rates are the new cultural norm,” by Charles Lane (Washington Post).“The Unstoppability of Mass Migration,” from Andrew Sullivan’s Weekly Dish.America at the Crossroads: Democracy Power and the Neoconservative Legacy, by Francis Fukuyama (Amazon).Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire, by Niall Ferguson (Amazon).Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveWhy is therapy replacing God on dating apps? If bad things happen, were they “meant to be”? When we say that everything happens for a reason, what do we even mean? This week, Shadi and Damir are back on the podcast together with close friend and guest Rachel Rizzo to discuss her stunning new essay, “Do Liberals Have a God Problem?” Recently, Rachel noted a striking contrast on dating apps: men who openly state their involvement in therapy and the dearth of those professing religious faith. This opens up one of the most personal and searching episodes in WoC history. The three delve into free will, sin, and why spiritual alternatives like therapy and “self-care” are, perhaps insufficiently, supplanting belief in God. Rachel draws on her upbringing in Utah as a non-Mormon among Mormons and as a professional struggling for personal fulfillment in Washington’s environment of brute ambition.In the full episode (for paying subscribers only) the conversation turns to how a distinctly American emphasis on “freedom” creates a series of dilemmas for young Americans searching for meaning and structure. They also debate the influence of generous welfare states on religious identity and how Rachel’s essay may contrast with the experience of a European. And a very special bonus that you won’t want to miss: how easy (or hard) is it to convert to Islam, according to Shadi Hamid?Required Reading:* “Do Liberals Have A God Problem?” by Rachel Rizzo (Wisdom of Crowds).* “Among the Believers” by Rachel Rizzo (Wisdom of Crowds).* Religiosity in Europe from Ryan Burge ‘s Substack.* Eric Clapton’s “The Presence of the Lord”.Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us!