The Good Fight

Lulu Cheng Meservey is the founder of Rostra, advocate of going direct, and writer of Flack. In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Lulu Meservey explore why the traditional communications playbook is no longer effective, why so many politicians come across badly on TV, and how to be a great leader. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: leonora.barclay@persuasion.community Podcast production by Mickey Freeland and Leonora Barclay. Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google X: @Yascha_Mounk & @JoinPersuasion YouTube: Yascha Mounk, Persuasion LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randall Kennedy, the Michael R. Klein Professor at Harvard Law School, delves into America's complex racial history. He critiques critical race theory, differentiating his optimistic view on civil rights progress from its more pessimistic perspectives. Kennedy highlights transformative legal victories from the civil rights era and discusses the challenges of modern segregation and affirmative action. He advocates for broad coalitions in civil rights leadership, emphasizing the need for targeted reforms while acknowledging the limits of race-neutral arguments.

Quico Toro, a contributing editor at Persuasion and co-author of *Charlatans*, dives deep into the world of fraudsters. He and Yascha Mounk unpack how technology has made charlatanism widespread and discuss the psychology behind both charlatans and their victims. They explore whether these scam artists truly believe their claims and the blurred lines between persuasion and deception. Toro offers insights on building defenses against scams, emphasizing the importance of community and skepticism in today’s vulnerable landscape.

Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times and editor-in-chief of SAPIR, dives into the transformative impact of Trump on American political culture. He discusses the Democrats' core issues, advocating that they address policy failures rather than just messaging. Bret also explores why centrist governance is essential for winning over conflicted voters. Highlighting the struggles of moderate parties worldwide, he asserts that optimism and strong leadership are crucial for breaking the cycle of despair in politics.

Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion and democracy advocate, Russell Muirhead, a professor of government and New Hampshire state representative, and Quico Toro, a climate repair director and contributing editor, dive into pressing geopolitical and domestic issues. They discuss the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the implications of the U.S. government shutdown. The conversation also touches on the alarming parallels between America and authoritarian regimes, featuring insights on generational moralism in politics and the dangers of loyalty tests in governance.

Oren Harman, a Senior Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and author of "Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History," dives into fascinating insights on altruism and transformation. He explores the evolutionary benefits of altruism, discussing why it challenges traditional Darwinian thought. The conversation covers surprising statistics on instinctive heroism, the spectrum of altruism, and the cultural dynamics that shape empathy. Harman also unpacks the evolutionary puzzle of metamorphosis, revealing its prevalence and the dramatic shifts in identity it involves.

David French is an Opinion columnist for The New York Times and the author of 'Divided We Fall.' In a candid conversation with Yascha Mounk, they dissect the evolution of political rhetoric, highlighting the dangers of both leftist and MAGA overreach. French argues that Democrats alienated moderates, while exploring the fallout of purity politics on the left. They also discuss the judiciary's crucial role against executive overreach and the need for broader free speech protections to combat intimidation in public discourse.

In a lively discussion, Jacob Mchangama, an advocate for free expression, Renée DiResta, a misinformation specialist, and Jonathan Rauch, a governance expert, tackle the complexities of free speech today. They address the impact of hypocrisy on discourse and emphasize the importance of institutions in safeguarding rights. The panel dissects the pressures of the Biden and Trump administrations on social media platforms and debates the nuances of cancel culture. They also analyze the implications of Section 230 and the EU Digital Services Act on online moderation.

Quentin Skinner, a distinguished intellectual historian and Emeritus Professor at Queen Mary University, delves into the concept of liberty with Yascha Mounk. They explore the difference between negative liberty as non-interference and the republican notion of liberty as independence from arbitrary power. Skinner highlights how institutions shape freedom and critiques modern approaches to human rights. He warns against overlooking silent forms of domination, such as workplace power and surveillance, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights in a democratic society.

In this discussion, historian and journalist Justin Marozzi dives deep into the complex history of slavery in the Islamic world. Marozzi explores how pre-Islamic practices evolved under Islamic texts and laws. He highlights the role of concubinage, the ethics of manumission, and the stark realities faced by enslaved individuals. The conversation addresses how war, religion, and economics shaped slave sourcing, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa as a primary region. Marozzi emphasizes the importance of recovering enslaved voices and urges a more nuanced understanding of this often-neglected topic.