The American Compass Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Rethinking China’s Trade Status with Mark DiPlacido Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

This episode is a deep dive into what policymakers should do to overhaul U.S. trade with China to support American workers, industries, and national security. It features policy advisor Mark DiPlacido, lead author of a new report, "Disfavored Nation," that provides a roadmap for rescinding China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status.
He joins Oren to talk through the history of our trade relations with China, the colossal harm done to American workers and industries by the status quo of "free" trade over the last two decades, and what it would require to disentangle the two largest economies in the world.
For more, read the report: "Disfavored Nation."

Industrial Policy's Potential with Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Oren is joined by not one but two leading scholars on U.S. industrial policy, Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher, both of the Coalition for a Prosperous America. The episode opens with a conversation about the pair’s forthcoming book, which Oren describes as “the authoritative tome on industrial policy past, present, and future.”
They dig into why the government should be involved in domestic industry in the first place, the innovations—from the internet to commercial air travel—that wouldn’t exist without such involvement, and what the future of American industrial policy should be.
For more, check out their forthcoming book,Industrial Policy for the United States: Winning the Competition for Good Jobs and High-Value Industries.

Private Power and Democracy with Joshua Kleinfeld Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Joshua Kleinfeld, professor of law and philosophy at the Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, joins Oren for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the conservative legal movement.

Professor Kleinfeld, a leading legal voice helping drive the conversation at the Federalist Society and beyond, connects the dots about the threat to individual liberty from not just government but private power, and questions whether "the ideals of democracy are recognized in practice" in America today. The two conclude with a fascinating debate about voting, and whether parents should be allowed to vote as proxies for their kids.

For more, read Professor Kleinfeld's paper about criminal justice, mentioned in the episode: "By the People: Restoring Democracy in Criminal Justice."

Conservatism in a Secular Age with Matthew Mehan Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Oren Cass is joined by Dr. Matthew Mehan, associate dean of Hillsdale College’s Graduate School of Government, to discuss conservatism in our secular age, based on Oren’s First Things lecture earlier this year.
The two go long on conservative morality, from the role of religion in conservatism to the wisdom of the Roman philosopher Cicero and the “most pernicious doctrine” of advancing an immoral argument for its political utility. And they unpack how it all intersects with America’s declining religiosity and modern politics, from economics, to tech, and more.
For more, read in First Things, “Constructing Conservatism."

The U.K. Realignment with Nick Timothy, MP Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Nick Timothy, Conservative member of Parliament, takes a look at conservative populism from a British perspective. Timothy has had a front-row seat to the U.K.’s political realignment, and shares his observations and comparisons to the American experience. He and Oren talk through how he survived a Conservative wipeout in the recent parliamentary general elections, and the challenges and opportunities confronting conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic.
For more on that path forward, read Timothy's recent piece in the Telegraph on the subject: "We don’t need to veer Left or Right – we just need to be Conservative."

Conservative Urbanism with Aaron Renn Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, author and American Reformer senior fellow Aaron Renn joins Oren Cass to discuss urbanism and how conservatives should approach cities. In the wide-ranging conversation, they discuss the history of American urban governance, where conservatives should focus their policy efforts, and how urban policy can improve the lives of everyday Americans.

For more, read Renn's latest on The Commons, which explores how to implement such an approach, "Conservatives Need a Positive Governing Vision."

Unionizing Minor League Baseball with Harry Marino Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Oren Cass is joined by Harry Marino, founder and president of Sports Solidarity, who led the successful effort last year to unionize Minor League Baseball. The two discuss how Marino's time in the minors made him realize a union was needed, his successful campaign to win recognition for that union from Major League Baseball, and how the lessons he learned can be applied beyond sports.
To learn more about Marino's effort, read this profile of him from the University of Virginia Law School, his alma mater.

Where Money Comes From with Richard Werner Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, University of Winchester professor and economist Richard Werner joins Oren Cass for a discussion on monetary policy. The two discuss where money comes from, the ways that government policy can help and hurt markets, and how to differentiate between productive and non-productive finance.

For more, read his latest book, Where Does Money Come From? A Guide to the UK Monetary and Banking System.

Revisiting the CHIPS Act with Senator Todd Young Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) joins Oren Cass for a conversation about the CHIPS Act on the two-year anniversary of its passage. They discuss its ongoing implementation, where those efforts have fallen short or been supplanted by unrelated policy objectives, and what policymakers need to do to revitalize American manufacturing more broadly.

For more, read our Compass Point essay revisiting the CHIPS Act, by policy director Chris Griswold, "Chipping Away."

Tariffs and Market Power with Michael Lind Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, author and academic Michael Lind joins Oren Cass for a wide-ranging conversation about the U.S. economy. The two discuss the merits of tariffs, the public purpose of markets and market power, and how best to provide social insurance.
For more, read Lind's recent Compass Point essay, "So What If Tariffs Are Taxes?," and check out his latest book, Hell to Pay: How the Suppression of Wages is Destroying America.
And click here for the "oddly specific Kamala Harris policy generator."

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