The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

AEI Senior Fellow Ken Pollack returns to the Remnant for a wonktastic discussion of the Middle East. With continued Iranian protests dominating international headlines, the conversation centers on the stability of the Iranian regime, the goals of the Iranian people, and how the United States should respond. Why do continued mass demonstrations in Iran seem to be an intellectual afterthought in the West? What will happen to Iran’s nuclear program if its government collapses? And what are the best things the Biden administration could do to help the Iranian people? Show Notes:- Ken’s page at AEI- Ken: “A Stronger But Less Ambitious NATO”- Ken: “The Middle East Abhors a Vacuum” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shadi Hamid of the hated Brookings Institution returns to the Remnant to discuss his new book, The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea. He and Jonah engage in a nerdtastic exploration of democracy—its strengths, its weaknesses, and how it should be understood in the American context. What is “democratic minimalism,” and should we embrace it? Why is democracy particularly well suited to a society as large and diverse as the United States? And what should primary elections be replaced with?Show Notes:- Shadi’s page at The Atlantic- Shadi’s new book, The Problem of Democracy- Shadi: “Can Democracy Exist Without Liberalism?”- Biden’s befuddled speech- Jonah: “The Cult of Unity Is a Poison”- Jonah on the “Life of Julia”- Pajama Boy- Jonah on Making Sense with Sam Harris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah finds himself unable to resist the allure of rank punditry on today’s Ruminant. He begins by describing how little he cares about the upcoming midterms before diving into a lengthy rant on that very matter. Next, he tackles the state of Trump’s continued influence on the Republican Party, the ills of the modern legislative process, and the undermining of confidence in elections by both parties. After a brief foray into John Dewey’s “screwed up” view of democracy, Jonah finishes the show with commentary on Putin’s rejection of liberal democratic capitalism, the hypocrisy of his attacks on America, and why Francis Fukuyama was right all along (again).Show Notes:- Richard Rorty’s Achieving Our Country- Jonah: “Putin’s Dangerous Blend of Propaganda and Hypocrisy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Addicted to the sensation of power that the Remnant command chair provides, Sarah Isgur takes control of the program once again. She’s joined by famed pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to discuss the reliability of polls and the future of the polling industry, as well as the midterms and the 2024 presidential election. Tune in also to learn about Sarah’s spindrift habit, Kristen’s exceptional canine companion, and what really appeals to young voters.Show Notes:-Kristen’s webpage-The Fetterman-Oz debate-Kristen’s The Selfie Vote-Kristen: “Democrats Just Can’t Seal the Deal with Young Americans”-Sean Trende’s The Lost Majority Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Remnant returns to normalcy today as Chris Stirewalt joins Jonah to provide a preview of the midterms. With only a week remaining until election day, what level of turnout should we expect? For that matter, will the Republicans enjoy a red tsunami? How will Dobbs influence the results? And what does the attack on Paul Pelosi reveal about our political climate?Show Notes:-Chris’ page at The Dispatch-Last weekend’s Ruminant-Last Friday’s G-File-Chris' book 'Broken News'-Wall Street Journal: “Republican Election Prospects Rise as Inflation Overshadows Abortion”-Kari Lake mocks the Paul Pelosi attack-The Remnant with Yuval Levin-The Paul Lynde Halloween Special-Never been KISSed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jonah on today’s solo episode as he remembers his mother, Lucianne Goldberg, who died peacefully this week surrounded by her people –– and pets! –– who loved her.Links:-John Podhoretz’s moving tribute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s eclectic episode of The Remnant, Sarah is joined by Mo Elleithee, executive director of the Institute of Politics and Public Service at Georgetown University, to discus elections, tribalism, and Halloween. The two explore the shrinking acceptability of bipartisan friendships, the effects of campaign finance reform on polarization, and the importance of understanding the arguments of the other side. Stick around until the end for a heart-wrenching tale of unrequited avian love and to hear Sarah publicly debut her much anticipated screech owl call.Show Notes:-Mo on The Dispatch Podcast-The New York Times on the new campaign press aides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David takes the reins on today's recording where he hosts GQ correspondent and New York Times Magazine contributor Robert Draper to discuss his new book Weapons of Mass Delusion: When the Republican Party Lost its Mind. Why has the Republican party gone crazy? What’s up with Marjorie Taylor Greene? And what might a Republican House majority look like after the midterms? Stay tuned as David and Robert explore all of this and more on today’s action-packed episode of The Remnant.Show Notes:-Robert: “The Problem of Marjorie Taylor Greene”-Robert’s new book, Weapons of Mass Delusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s gripping Ruminant, Jonah waxes philosophical about topics far and wide. Things kick off with further thoughts on Wednesday’s episode with Yuval Levin, where Jonah explores an additional aspect of Burke’s philosophy and its applicability to todays’ insular political factions. Next, he delves into Oakeshott’s theory of civil and enterprise associations and the tendency of despotic regimes to view the structure of society through the wrong lens. Finally, Jonah discusses the origins of modern American Conservatism, Progressivism’s roots in the New Deal, and William James’ conception of the moral equivalent of war.Show Notes:-Wednesday’s The Remnant with Yuval Levin-We Need to Stop Calling Ourselves Conservatives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snowbound in the depths of Pennsylvania, Jonah invites the inimitable Yuval Levin back to the Remnant for a philosophical yet accessible conversation on the responsibilities we face as members of a free society. What’s the best way to approach political and civic life in the United States, and how should we treat our institutions? For that matter, why is cynicism harmful? Can higher education be fixed? And is the internet damaging democracy?Show Notes:- Yuval’s page at AEI- A Time to Build, still available from all good booksellers- Yuval: “The Constitution and National Unity”- Yuval’s ideas for repairing democracy- Mark Leibovich’s This Town- “You are all individuals”- Robert Nisbet’s The Quest for Community- Arnold Kling: “How the Internet Turned Bad”- Yuval: “Politics After the Internet”- Megan McArdle: “It’s time for major institutions to make their employees get off of Twitter” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices