The Good Fight

Philip Pettit, Professor of Politics and Human Values at Princeton University, discusses small-r “republicanism” and how to make sure people don’t suffer from domination. Topics include intellectual traditions of liberalism and republicanism, freedom from domination versus freedom from interference, and the role of the state in making people free.

Tara Isabella Burton, author of 'Self Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians,' joins Yascha Mounk to discuss the rise of à la carte spirituality, challenges of creating community, and pursuing self-creation while fulfilling our obligations as citizens of a liberal society. They also explore cultural appropriation, Kardashianism's impact on society, redefining religion and identity, and the need for models and guidance in constructing a worthwhile life.

Tim Urban, writer and author of the blog Wait But Why, discusses developing strong productive habits, the human tendency towards 'chronocentrism,' and the need for courage to find real solutions. They also explore the complexities of choosing a career, the impact of technological advancements, and the threats liberal democracy faces.

Bethany Allen, China reporter at Axios, discusses China's abuse of its economic might. They delve into China's unique "party-state capitalism," its impact on global conformity and free speech, and the future of Taiwan.

Neuroscientist and primatologist, Robert Sapolsky, debates the existence of free will and its implications on criminal law, love, and friendship. Chapters explore the influence of identity synthesis on institutions, the absence of free will and determinism, the concept of agency, and the implications on human behavior and relationships. The podcast also discusses societal intuition and the evolution of judgment.

Anshel Pfeffer, senior correspondent and columnist for Haaretz and the Israel correspondent for The Economist, discusses Israel's strategy for defeating Hamas, the global left's failure to understand the horrors of 10/7, the implications of the war for Jewish life in Europe and America, and the urgent need for Israel to resolve internal tensions.

David Brooks, a writer and columnist at the New York Times, discusses the role of character development in building strong liberal societies. They cover topics such as the term 'bourgeois bohemians,' inspiring social connections between individuals of all backgrounds, the spread of ideologies through social media, loneliness and lack of close friendships, liberalism's ambivalence, and defending liberal values while remaining open to critiques.

Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth and The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, discusses how our sense of satisfaction with life is age-related, the U-shaped well-being curve, navigating midlife dissatisfaction, and shifting the social narrative around aging.

Amichai Magen, Director of the Program on Democratic Resilience & Development at Reichman University's Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy, and a Visiting Professor and Fellow in Israel Studies at the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, discusses the Hamas incursion into Israel, the aftermath of the security failure, and the evolving crisis following Israel's military response against Gaza. They also explore the implications for Israeli democracy, Netanyahu's future, and the challenges of achieving peace in the Middle East, all while delving into the moral complexities of the conflict.

Angus Deaton is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton, Emeritus, and the recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Economics. He is the author of The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality and, with Anne Case, of Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. His most recent book is Economics in America: An Immigrant Economist Explores the Land of Inequality. In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Angus Deaton discuss why he thinks the core predictor of economic and social outcomes in America is not primarily race or class, but one’s attainment of a four-year college degree; why America (and Scotland) are unique among wealthy, industrial nations for their increasing mortality rates; and how to best explain the growing sense of social dislocation that contributes to so-called “deaths of despair.”This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.Email: podcast@persuasion.community Website: http://www.persuasion.communityPodcast production by John Taylor Williams, and Brendan RuberryConnect with us!Spotify | Apple | GoogleTwitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasionYoutube: Yascha MounkLinkedIn: Persuasion CommunityLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices