What if anti-Trumpers are the bad guys?
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CATEGORY: POLITICS (4 MIN)
A lesson in class
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The consistent popularity of Donald Trump among a huge portion of the American population has caused no end of confusion to others in our nation. Liberal (and even some conservative) critics have thrown their hands in the air, asking how so many people could be so foolish as to support Trump.
But if you’re really interested in figuring out why your opponents think a certain way, attacking their intelligence probably isn’t the best idea.
For the Acton Institute
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, Jordan Ballor discusses this concept, analyzing a recent piece for The New York Times
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by David Brooks. Brooks’ article, “What if We’re the Bad Guys Here?”
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, argues that there are plenty of reasons why those in “less-educated classes” would support Trump.
Ballor says he appreciates the beginning of humility and self-criticism from Brooks. Ballor also notes that the difference between the elite and the average American comes down to more than education. He calls for those in the upper class to try and act in a trustworthy manner and to continue thinking seriously and sympathetically about the masses.
“You can’t just write off a large swath of people as beyond the pale and expect to win them over to your way of thinking,” Ballor writes.
Read Ballor’s article here
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. You can also access Brooks’ NYT article through our gift link here
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Read Now
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Weekly Poll
RESULTS: 8/3/23
Last week, we asked: Should schools get rid of DEI programs? 96.1% of respondents answered "yes" and 3.9% answered "no."
Is populism good for America?
[A] Yes, it's good
[B] No, it's bad
[C] Unsure
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CATEGORY: HISTORY (80 MIN)
A president’s past
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In the years after his presidency, Barack Obama has continued to try and influence matters across the board in America. He tweets on various issues he considers important and generally proposes increasingly leftist views on the hot-button questions of the day. But not many people discuss his years before the presidency.
In a wide-ranging piece for Tablet
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magazine, David Samuels reviews a biography of Obama by historian David Garrow. Samuels interviews Garrow and discusses his own thoughts on Garrow’s 2017 book, Rising Star. The work focuses on Obama’s career prior to his time in the White House.
Samuels discusses Garrow’s tales of Obama’s relationships with his early girlfriends, in which Garrow points out strange inconsistencies between the former president’s accounts and these women’s accounts. Garrow also criticizes mainstream reporters’ lack of curiosity in relation to Obama’s life.
Samuels writes on what he took away from Garrow’s work, ultimately concluding that Obama looks like an enigma. He was a charismatic with a campaign built on hope and yet an avid rejector of American exceptionalism. And when interviewed, Garrow muses on Obama’s odd refusal to answer certain questions about his life.
Discover Samuels’ in-depth dive right here
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Read Now
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CATEGORY: PODCAST EPISODE
CRT, DEI, and the Leftist Takeover of America | Chris Rufo
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In this episode, acclaimed journalist and activist Christopher Rufo joins the podcast to discuss:
his new book, America’s Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything
why language is an essential tool in driving social and political change
what the Right can do to reform and change the institutions that have been captured by Leftist priorities
Texts mentioned:
America’s Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything
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by Christopher F. Rufo
“The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism”
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by Aaron Renn
rufo.substack.com
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Watch Now
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ISI’s 70th Anniversary Gala &
Linda L. Bean Center Dedication
September 28th, 2023
This fall, join us at our 70th Anniversary Gala
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featuring Tucker Carlson, Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, and Linda Bean, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Together these are some of the most influential figures in America today.
We will also host a pre-event panel featuring longtime friends of ISI including Annette Kirk (Russell Kirk Center), Gene Meyer (The Federalist Society), Ed Feulner (The Heritage Foundation), and Dan McCarthy (ISI), discussing the 70th anniversary of three conservative classics: Russell Kirk’s The Conservative Mind, Leo Strauss’ Natural Right and History, and Robert Nisbet’s The Quest for Community.
We will have a lobster dinner in honor of Tucker and Linda’s mutual connection to the state of Maine, and seating will be limited to 150 guests. Our VIP ticket holders will have the chance to meet ISI trustees and event speakers in a private reception beforehand.
Reserve your tickets here
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Join us in Wilmington, DE >>>
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Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
Colleges to implement required anti-racism classes by 2024-25
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via The Cornell Review
“In a long-delayed response to the murder of George Floyd, Cornell is reallocating financial resources away from existing academic instruction to create new for-credit classes in ‘anti-racism.’”
The King’s College Is Last Christian college to Close in NYC
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via the Empire State Tribune
“‘There are now zero Protestant Christian colleges in New York City....’ Dr. Anthony Bradley said in a tweet on June 30.”
CATEGORY: CULTURE (43 MIN)
Liberty, then and now
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In many scholars’ view, Edmund Burke represents the power of tradition against the excesses of the mob. He stands for an institutionally conservative school of thought, not one based on the will of the people as such. But other scholars trace substantial links between the thought of Burke and the rise of modern populism—a connection which takes some research to find.
In this week’s Intercollegiate Review
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archive, Ian Crowe suggests that Burke’s writings communicate a strong sense of patriotism, a belief which connects in some ways to the nationalist populism in America today. Crowe argues that Burke’s patriotism actually urged transformation rather than mere consistency. And both thought systems had a derogatory view of “party,” Crowe writes.
Crowe also believes Burke (if in America today) would push for a reduction in national congressional power and a return of power to state and local authorities.
But Crowe still notes important differences between modern populism and Burke’s beliefs. Crowe admits the connection he claims is somewhat tenuous, but he at least declares that Burke’s writing contributed to the “undercurrents driving the events of 2016.”
Read Crowe’s well-researched article right here
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Read Now
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Thought of the Day:
“Liberty does not exist in the
absence of morality.”
- Edmund Burke
Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
Join the Club
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