The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Latest Episodes:

The Life of Shadi Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

Shadi Hamid of the hated Brookings Institution returns to the Remnant to discuss his new book, The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea. He and Jonah engage in a nerdtastic exploration of democracy—its strengths, its weaknesses, and how it should be understood in the American context. What is “democratic minimalism,” and should we embrace it? Why is democracy particularly well suited to a society as large and diverse as the United States? And what should primary elections be replaced with?

Show Notes:

- Shadi’s page at The Atlantic

- Shadi’s new book, The Problem of Democracy

- Shadi: “Can Democracy Exist Without Liberalism?”

- Biden’s befuddled speech

- Jonah: “The Cult of Unity Is a Poison”

- Jonah on the “Life of Julia”

- Pajama Boy

- Jonah on Making Sense with Sam Harris

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Perspicacious Punditry Nov 05, 2022

Show notes

Jonah finds himself unable to resist the allure of rank punditry on today’s Ruminant. He begins by describing how little he cares about the upcoming midterms before diving into a lengthy rant on that very matter. Next, he tackles the state of Trump’s continued influence on the Republican Party, the ills of the modern legislative process, and the undermining of confidence in elections by both parties. After a brief foray into John Dewey’s “screwed up” view of democracy, Jonah finishes the show with commentary on Putin’s rejection of liberal democratic capitalism, the hypocrisy of his attacks on America, and why Francis Fukuyama was right all along (again).

Show Notes:

- Richard Rorty’s Achieving Our Country

- Jonah: “Putin’s Dangerous Blend of Propaganda and Hypocrisy”

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Youth Gone Mild Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Addicted to the sensation of power that the Remnant command chair provides, Sarah Isgur takes control of the program once again. She’s joined by famed pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to discuss the reliability of polls and the future of the polling industry, as well as the midterms and the 2024 presidential election. Tune in also to learn about Sarah’s spindrift habit, Kristen’s exceptional canine companion, and what really appeals to young voters.

Show Notes:

-Kristen’s webpage

-The Fetterman-Oz debate

-Kristen’s The Selfie Vote

-Kristen: “Democrats Just Can’t Seal the Deal with Young Americans”

Sean Trende’s

The Lost Majority

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Disco Babies Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

The Remnant returns to normalcy today as Chris Stirewalt joins Jonah to provide a preview of the midterms. With only a week remaining until election day, what level of turnout should we expect? For that matter, will the Republicans enjoy a red tsunami? How will Dobbs influence the results? And what does the attack on Paul Pelosi reveal about our political climate?

Show Notes:

-Chris’ page at The Dispatch

-Last weekend’s Ruminant

-Last Friday’s G-File

-Chris' book 'Broken News'

-Wall Street Journal: “Republican Election Prospects Rise as Inflation Overshadows Abortion”

-Kari Lake mocks the Paul Pelosi attack

-The Remnant with Yuval Levin

-The Paul Lynde Halloween Special

-Never been KISSed

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Mom Oct 29, 2022

Show notes

Join Jonah on today’s solo episode as he remembers his mother, Lucianne Goldberg, who died peacefully this week surrounded by her people –– and pets! –– who loved her.

Links:

-John Podhoretz’s moving tribute

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It’s Mo Time Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

On today’s eclectic episode of The Remnant, Sarah is joined by Mo Elleithee, executive director of the Institute of Politics and Public Service at Georgetown University, to discus elections, tribalism, and Halloween. The two explore the shrinking acceptability of bipartisan friendships, the effects of campaign finance reform on polarization, and the importance of understanding the arguments of the other side. Stick around until the end for a heart-wrenching tale of unrequited avian love and to hear Sarah publicly debut her much anticipated screech owl call.

Show Notes:

-Mo on The Dispatch Podcast

-The New York Times on the new campaign press aides

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Optical Delusion Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

David takes the reins on today's recording where he hosts GQ correspondent and New York Times Magazine contributor Robert Draper to discuss his new book Weapons of Mass Delusion: When the Republican Party Lost its Mind. Why has the Republican party gone crazy? What’s up with Marjorie Taylor Greene? And what might a Republican House majority look like after the midterms? Stay tuned as David and Robert explore all of this and more on today’s action-packed episode of The Remnant.

Show Notes:

-Robert: “The Problem of Marjorie Taylor Greene”

-Robert’s new book, Weapons of Mass Delusion

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Embracing Oakeshott Oct 22, 2022

Show notes

On today’s gripping Ruminant, Jonah waxes philosophical about topics far and wide. Things kick off with further thoughts on Wednesday’s episode with Yuval Levin, where Jonah explores an additional aspect of Burke’s philosophy and its applicability to todays’ insular political factions. Next, he delves into Oakeshott’s theory of civil and enterprise associations and the tendency of despotic regimes to view the structure of society through the wrong lens. Finally, Jonah discusses the origins of modern American Conservatism, Progressivism’s roots in the New Deal, and William James’ conception of the moral equivalent of war.

Show Notes:

-Wednesday’s The Remnant with Yuval Levin

-We Need to Stop Calling Ourselves Conservatives

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A Cynical Man Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

Snowbound in the depths of Pennsylvania, Jonah invites the inimitable Yuval Levin back to the Remnant for a philosophical yet accessible conversation on the responsibilities we face as members of a free society. What’s the best way to approach political and civic life in the United States, and how should we treat our institutions? For that matter, why is cynicism harmful? Can higher education be fixed? And is the internet damaging democracy?

Show Notes:

- Yuval’s page at AEI

- A Time to Build, still available from all good booksellers

- Yuval: “The Constitution and National Unity”

- Yuval’s ideas for repairing democracy

- Mark Leibovich’s This Town

- “You are all individuals”

- Robert Nisbet’s The Quest for Community

- Arnold Kling: “How the Internet Turned Bad”

- Yuval: “Politics After the Internet”

- Megan McArdle: “It’s time for major institutions to make their employees get off of Twitter”

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Three Years of The Dispatch Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

It’s that time again: We’ve reached The Dispatch’s third birthday, and to celebrate, Jonah invites Steve Hayes back to the Remnant to discuss the state of the institution. With water in hand rather than alcohol, they reflect on The Dispatch’s internal growth, its departure from Substack, and some of the most memorable events of the past year. Then, they preview some exciting plans for the future while addressing a few important questions: What sets The Dispatch apart? Will the fabled Dispatch app ever be invented? And how optimistic should we be about American political life?

Show Notes:

- The Dispatch’s manifesto

- The Morning Dispatch walks you through the new Dispatch website

- Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death

- James Stewart’s Follow the Story

- David Freedlander: “Why Republicans Stopped Talking to the Press”

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