City Journal Audio

Stephen Eide, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and expert on social policy, joins to discuss New York's social-democratic experiments. He delves into why expansive programs often fail compared to Europe, exploring the challenges of middle-class burdens and demographic shifts. Eide explains the misconceptions around social democracy in NYC and warns about the implications of welfare policies. He emphasizes the importance of social cohesion and trust while examining the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in local politics.

Mike Solana, publisher of Pirate Wires and local politics commentator, joins the discussion to analyze the New York City mayoral results. The panel debates polling discrepancies and local scandals surrounding Eric Adams. They also explore San Francisco's political turnaround and its lessons for NYC, along with the challenges of Mamdani's agenda concerning public safety and housing policies. The implications of the election on crime policy and the urgency to close Rikers Island by 2027 are highlighted, making for a lively and insightful conversation.

Neetu Arnold, a higher-education researcher and former Cornell student, teams up with Renu Mukherjee, a policy analyst focused on college rankings. They dive into new college rankings emphasizing free speech and curricular rigor. The conversation uncovers the experiences of conservative students feeling isolated, the critical role of faculty diversity, and challenges with identity politics in admissions. They also discuss how superficial diversity can hinder genuine debate, guiding parents in choosing colleges that offer meaningful educational environments.

Nicole Gelinas, an urban policy expert, and John Ketcham, a municipal governance analyst, share insights from the recent NYC mayoral debate. They dissect Mamdani's lack of substance and Cuomo's strong performance contrasting crime strategies. The duo discusses the complexities of rent freezes, critiques Mamdani's vending policy, and addresses the implications of recent ICE raids. Their analysis extends to Rikers Island reconstruction plans and the broader impact of candidates' rhetoric on public sentiment and election dynamics.

Tal Fortgang, a conservative commentator and expert on privilege, teams up with Daniel Di Martino, who has firsthand activism experience from Venezuela, for a lively discussion on protest culture. They delve into the motivations behind activism, contrasting generational differences and the legitimacy of various protest movements. Tal critiques contemporary campus activism versus historic civil rights protests, while Daniel shares insights on the stakes of protesting under authoritarian regimes. The conversation challenges the coherence of modern protests and examines media portrayal, revealing the complexities of today's activism.

Abigail Shrier, the author of 'Bad Therapy,' critiques modern therapeutic parenting, while psychologist Rob Henderson shares insights on resilience stemming from his experiences in foster care. They delve into the roots of the youth mental health crisis, discussing how schools' therapeutic models may undermine parental authority. Together, they argue that high expectations and firm guidance are often more beneficial than therapy. Their conversation highlights the isolating effects of social media and the dangers of permissive parenting in today's culture.

James Hankins and Allen Guelzo join Brian Anderson to discuss their new book project, "The Golden Thread: The History of the Western Tradition."

What does it mean for American media when someone like Bari Weiss is tapped to lead one of the country's legacy news outlets? Rafael Mangual, Jesse Arm, Carolyn Gorman, and Kerry Soropoulos analyze Paramount's acquisition of The Free Press and the appointment of Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. The panel explores Weiss's track record of challenging orthodoxies and what her rise signals for journalism's future. They also discuss California's shifting political dynamics, spotlighting Representative Katie Porter's potential gubernatorial run.

What does a university's response to terror reveal about its values and its influence on society? On the two-year anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel, Stu Smith, Neetu Arnold, Adam Lehodey, and Rafael Mangual reflect on national and global reactions to the attacks, especially on American university campuses. Their conversation explores the ideological influence of faculty and campus activism that blurred the line between academic freedom and lawlessness. They also consider how federal funding and institutional incentives shape university behavior.

Is the Democratic Party being pulled too far left—or is moderation making a comeback? Jesse Arm, Charles Fain Lehman, and Rafael Mangual discuss the recent government shutdown and the role of the filibuster in shaping legislative outcomes. They analyze tensions in the Democratic Party between radical grassroots movements and centrist pragmatism. And they examine the rise of the "abundance bros" and what this techno-optimist movement says about our current politics.