Social decline amid economic strength

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The breakdown of social and relational fabric in American society is a major concern, with increasing rates of depression, suicide, and lack of personal connections.
Despite low social trust, the American economy has remained strong, with high GDP per capita, strong investment and innovation, and significant investments from major companies in the Midwest.
China's economic struggles have led to a favorable turnaround for the American economy, especially in regions like Ohio.
The current state of American society may be characterized as a societal emotional and relational crisis.

Sam Harris speaks with David Brooks about the state of American democracy and the liberal world order. They discuss the weakness of moral individualism, the loss of social trust, the dangers of identity politics, what happened to the Republican Party, the hatred of elites, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Trump indictments, the war in Ukraine, moral force, the roots of liberalism, the various flavors of Trump support, the Biden presidency, Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal, Biden’s prospects in 2024, Nikki Haley, economic inequality, the problems with meritocracy, the state of media and social media, the lure of conspiracy thinking, the politics of recognition, our handling of the Covid pandemic, our difficulties acknowledging uncertainty, our withdrawal from Afghanistan, the limits of American power, and other topics.

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