New Polity

D. C. Schindler, an author and thinker on authority, discusses the critical loss of authority as a defining human crisis. He connects Nietzsche’s idea of the 'death of God' to societal collapse and the fragmentation of social order. Schindler outlines how true authority should be rooted in transcendent values, challenging perceptions of freedom tied to submission. The conversation also dives into the importance of self-sacrifice, the interplay between obedience and education, and the evolution of authority through history, ultimately arguing for a balanced relationship between leadership and society.

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on other platforms We live in a disillusioned political age, one where old liberal arguments no longer have hold. Conservatism has moved into a right-wing politics which no longer sees the value of Christianity. Lost in an ostensibly equal mass, individuals have experienced a loss of identity. New developments in technology, and especially AI, present an existential threat to human agency. In our time (2025) and place (America), we need the social doctrine of the Church. New Polity is hosting a Masterclass on Catholic Social Teaching in the Summer of 2026! Learn more and register.Andrew Willard Jones and Alex Denley are writing a book on Catholic Social Teaching to be published by Word on Fire Academic. We need your support to bring this project to completion. Please consider donating.

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on other platforms In this podcast, Marc Barnes and Reuben Slife discuss the latest New Polity magazine, Issue 6.1, and specifically the translation of Alberto Methol Ferré's striking essay "The Church, People Among the Peoples." Is the Church a visible people, or a people among the peoples? How does the Church overcome oppositions, universal-particular?New Polity Magazine Issue 6.1 is available for order.Rocco Buttiglione's new book Modernity's Alternative is now available from New Polity Press.Subscribe to New Polity Magazine! Help us make more by donating. Thank you.

In this engaging conversation, Rocco Buttiglione, an esteemed Italian philosopher and former politician, shares insights from his colorful life alongside popes and politicians. He reflects on his early experiences in post-WWII Poland and the warmth of his encounter with John Paul II, revealing how these moments shaped his faith. Buttiglione discusses the challenges of merging faith with politics, especially during authoritarian regimes, and highlights his friendship with Jorge Mario Bergoglio. His rich anecdotes bring to life a fascinating blend of theology and political philosophy.

The discussion highlights Pope Leo XIII's influential role in shaping modern Catholic social teaching during a time of social upheaval. The evolving relationship between the Church and state is examined, revealing tensions between Christian values and secular ideologies. Delving into the historical context of Rerum Novarum, the podcast critiques radical responses to poverty and emphasizes understanding power dynamics. Lastly, it tackles the challenges posed by consumerism and technology, advocating for a more adaptable approach to social teaching.

This discussion reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis and his theological vision, particularly emphasizing the 'theology of peoples.' The hosts dive into the moral complexities faced during his early life in Argentina and explore how his teachings advocate for unity amidst division. They critique modernity's focus on individualism, aligning it with the Pope’s celebrations of community and authentic relationships. Additionally, the conversation touches on the significant roles of faith in secular society and the need for genuine, compassionate leadership in the Church.

Matthew Crawford, bestselling author of 'Shop Class as Soulcraft,' explores the tension between technocracy and the human spirit. He contrasts the technocratic view of humanity with a Christian perspective that sees life as a gift. Crawford emphasizes the importance of social intelligence and embracing uncertainty in a mechanized world. He shares personal anecdotes and poetic reflections on nature, highlighting how experiences like watching dolphins surf connect us to existential meaning and the vitality of life.

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on other platforms In the 20th century, a movement of priests and laypeople sought to find a way past the clash of ideologies that wracked Latin America. They found a solution in Latin America itself, which was born out of the conflict between Europeans and natives when, with the appearance of the Virgin Mary at Guadalupe, the grace of God forged one, new people out of strangers and enemies.This movement—called “theology of peoples”—focuses on the reality known as “a people.” Every human person belongs to a people. And every people has a “world”: the way it makes sense out of life, work, love, and the uncertain future. In this podcast, Reuben Slife and Marc Barnes discuss Modernity's Alternative by Rocco Buttiglione.Pre-order of Modernity's Alternative is now available!Registration is open for New Polity Conference 2025! Subscribe to New Polity Magazine! Join the conversation on our Discord

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on other platforms What is the difference between a people and a nation? In this podcast, Marc Barnes and Alex Denley discuss Ernest Renan's influential lecture "What is a nation?". Renan argues that a nation is not formed by common descent, language, religion, or geography. Rather, a nation is a spiritual principle that requires sacrifice, and a forgetting of the past. Marc and Alex discuss Renan's definition of a nation and how it formed the development of nation states in the modern period.Registration is open for New Polity Conference 2025! Ernest Renan's lecture can be found here: Check out Marc's essay "National Forgetting"Subscribe to New Polity Magazine! Join the conversation on our Discord

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on other platforms In this special episode of Political Saints, Marc Barnes and Nicolas McAfee discuss the heroic political life of St. Thomas More. Thomas More was the Lord High Chancellor of England from 1529 until 1531. After refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was convicted of treason and was executed. Pope Pius XI canonized Thomas More as a martyr in 1935. Dr. Nicolas McAfee is the Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow at the Center for Thomas More Studies. He is the author of Political Wisdom in Late Shakespeare: A Way out of the Wreck (Lexington, forthcoming). You can find more on Thomas More Studies here: https://thomasmorestudies.org/ Registration is open for New Polity Conference 2025! Subscribe to New Polity Magazine! Join the conversation on our Discord