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CATEGORY: POLITICS (5 MIN)

Plans for power

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In one of the most impressive political comebacks in American history, former President Donald Trump won re-election to the White House over Vice President Kamala Harris this week. He will become the second president ever to serve non-consecutive terms, and he likely to be the first Republican since 2004 to win the popular vote.

With Trump’s victory comes what Daniel McCarthy calls the “symbolic yet potent mandate of a popular-vote majority.” McCarthy, ISI’s Vice President for the Collegiate Network and editor of Modern Age, urges Trump to use this mandate to help bring about the reforms he has promised. In The American Conservative, McCarthy acknowledges that many will oppose these changes, and he knows that some decisions will be difficult, but he believes the work is necessary and, now, encouraged by the nation.

The election, McCarthy says, could have long-lasting domestic and even international effects if Trump follows through. De-regulation, a change in trade policy, and a calmer head in foreign affairs should all mark Trump’s second time in office, according to McCarthy. And internationally, McCarthy sees an environment that will have to take something from the success of Trumpism in America to succeed.

McCarthy also notes that conservatives should review their own strategy for affecting both culture and philosophy in light of the election result. “Trump should reawaken conservatives’ spirit of endeavor,” McCarthy writes.

Read his piece right here.

Read Now

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Weekly Poll

Were you surprised by Trump’s convincing victory?

[A] Yes

[B] No

[C] Not sure

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RESULTS: 10/31/2024

Has public discourse become too reliant on personal insults?

[A] Yes - 93.8%

[B] No - 4.7%

[C] Not sure - 1.6%

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CATEGORY: POLITICS (6 MIN)

Learning from loss

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On the flip side of the election, Kamala Harris’s campaign is struggling to cope with their resounding defeat at the ballot box. Democrats have expressed disbelief, anger, and depression in the face of their loss, but they’ve struggled to identify the issues that led to this result. And that diagnosis is vital if they hope to challenge Republicans in the midterm elections of 2026.

Noah Rothman, writing in National Review, notes that this isn’t a new phenomenon. He discusses President Barack Obama’s failure to learn lessons from the decisive 2014 GOP midterm victory, and he attributes Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016 in part to that failure. Rothman paints a bleak picture for Democrats today, especially given the disarray in the party’s leadership.

Rothman says the groups Democrats hoped would carry them to victory—women who only cared about access to abortion and college-educated voters—were not big enough to make a winning coalition. Instead, they neglected minorities, especially those with traditional value, and Trump and the GOP took advantage.

Rothman believes the Democrats will probably think that the unpopularity of incumbent President Joe Biden and the economy played a decisive role. Maybe that is true, Rothman says, but the party must also acknowledge their inability to speak to the average voter in a relatable way. If they don’t, the electorate will keep reminding them of their failures.

Read Rothman’s article with our NR guest link right here.​​​​​​

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CATEGORY: VIDEO

How the 2024 Election Will Shape Our Future with Dan McCarthy

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In this insightful interview, ISI President Johnny Burtka and Modern Age editor Dan McCarthy dive into the key dynamics of the 2024 U.S. election while unpacking the factors that led to Donald Trump's victory. Together, they examine why Trump’s populist message resonated so deeply with voters and discuss whether similar themes are likely to shape the current race. From cultural debates and economic policy to the candidates’ competing visions for America, Johnny and Dan provide a nuanced look at what’s at stake in the upcoming Trump administration, exploring the forces driving voter sentiment and how these outcomes could redefine American conservatism and the future of our institutions. This thought-provoking conversation sheds light on the deeper currents at play in today’s political landscape. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the election, Trump’s impact, and the path forward for the country.

Watch Now

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Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.

Stanford’s One Party Democracy Day Charade

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via The Stanford Review

“Stanford's annual Democracy Day, purportedly designed to foster civic engagement and open dialogue, features a roster filled exclusively with left-leaning speakers. The event's keynote speaker, Valerie Jarrett—former senior advisor to President Obama and current CEO of the Obama Foundation—sets an unmistakably partisan tone. Hosting a sole, prominent Democrat as the keynote speaker puts the event's commitment to diverse political perspectives into question right at the outset. Jarrett is not the only obvious partisan. The lineup for the day further reinforces this ideological homogeneity with event after event.”

Elbridge Colby on the Future of American Foreign Policy

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via The Dartmouth Review

“With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States emerged as the world’s sole superpower in the post-Cold War era. Those times are gone. The rise of China over the last few decades has been nothing short of remarkable. And not just in economic terms: China has increasingly been flexing its military muscles on the world stage. In other words, there is a new kid on the block. With an economic rise that shows few signs of slowing down anytime soon and a continuous military buildup, the question arises: how should U.S. foreign policy adjust to this new reality? Is China a benign actor, just looking after the economic wellbeing of its own citizens, or should it be viewed as a potential threat? As part of the Dartmouth 2024 Election Speaker Series, Elbridge Colby was invited to share the stage with Associate Professor of Government Jennifer Lind to discuss the recent state of affairs concerning the West’s most significant rival for the foreseeable
future. Under the title “Foreign Policy in light of China’s Rise: A Strategy of Denial”, Colby expressed his views on a situation that could very well reach a critical point within the next decade."

91% of 2024 CMC-Affiliated Political Donations Go to Democrats

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via The Claremont Independent

“According to the nonprofit OpenSecrets, over 91% of the $22,782 in political donations made by Claremont McKenna-affiliated individuals in 2024 went to Democrats. While CMC-affiliated donations have leaned consistently left since 2012, 2024 marks the starkest partisan divide in donations yet, with donations to Democrats exceeding donations to Republicans by over a factor of 10. Although CMC itself does not make political contributions, the donations of individuals affiliated with the college can provide insight into the preferences of the CMC community. OpenSecrets defines affiliated individuals as an “organization's individual members or employees... and those individuals' immediate family members.”

Abortion, Economy Rank Among Top Election Issues for UT Students

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via The Texas Horn

“With three days until election day, Longhorns are making their voices heard, early voting started last Monday and ended yesterday, Friday, November 1st, with the election this Tuesday, November 5th. Students voting on-campus can vote either at the Texas Union or the LBJ School of Public Policy. With thousands of students going to the polls, we, the editors of The Texas Horn, were curious as to who UT’s students were supporting. The Texas Horn surveyed 312 likely student voters between October 15 and October 30. The poll was conducted via Google Forms and distributed to students through flyers hung up on randomly picked buildings. Students on Speedway were asked to scan a QR code leading to the poll. Results were then weighted to ensure a representative sample of the UT student body. The poll has a margin of error of 5.8%, full results can be found here.”

Minnesota Election Fraud

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via The Minnesota Republic

“A 50-year-old woman from Minnesota is facing voter fraud charges after allegedly signing her deceased mothers name on two absentee ballots. On October 9, the Itasca County Auditor alerted the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office regarding potential voter fraud. Although the ballot envelopes were not opened, they were still flagged for fraud based on the signatures. The woman not only forged her mothers signature on a second ballet, but also used her mothers signature as the witness on her ballot. The ballots in question, which were received by the auditor’s office on October 7, were intended for both the woman and her late mother, who passed away just before the early voting began. Since the 2020 election, voter fraud has been a hot topic, particularly with the use of absentee ballots. Absentee ballots allow those who are out of town to participate in elections, but this can raise serious concerns over election integrity. The recent case of a Minnesota woman
facing charges for signing her deceased mothers name on two absentee ballots is certainly alarming, yet it is reassuring to know that authorities were able to identify the fraud. Now subject to legal consequences, this incident serves as a reminder of the vigilance expected in Minnesota’s electoral process moving forward.”

CATEGORY: CULTURE (8 MIN)

Stopping the spin

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The 2024 election will likely lead to much dialogue about information and communication. Democrats may blame Elon Musk and X (Twitter) for spreading “misinformation” and influencing Donald Trump’s victory. Republicans will likely continue to point out the strong bias in mainstream media, as highlighted by reactions to the election result on various major news networks.

For this week’s article from the Modern Age website, Ross Hougham gives his prescription for resisting propaganda, which he defines as “calculated persuasion on a mass scale.” Hougham believes we are all subject to a barrage of propaganda every day, and it can have sneaky and destructive effects on our lives and beliefs.

Hougham gives seven steps to stop the influence of propaganda on our lives. He urges Americans not to deny reality and to make moral and physical discipline a habit. He encourages studying history, reading books, and regularly surrounding oneself with beautiful things. Finally, he tells Americans to stay away from hotspots of propaganda temptation and to live life courageously and confidently.

Hougham quotes Edward Bernays, who once said, “We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.” In response, Hougham exhorts, “Victors steel themselves against this temptation and live the life they were born to live. Be a victor, not a victim.”

Read his article here on the Modern Age website.​​

Read Now

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Thought of the Day:



“The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its own citizens. Any government that fails to do so is a government unworthy to lead.”

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- Donald Trump​​​

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