We've been away a while, but we're back and working on new episodes. In the meantime, here are our thoughts from last summer about the Dobbs decision when it was first handed down.

We've been away a while, but we're back and working on new episodes. In the meantime, here are our thoughts from last summer about the Dobbs decision when it was first handed down.

SCOTUS Samuel Alito - Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

John Stuart Mill

While most discussions of liberty center on government power, the subject of Mill's essay is the nature and limits of society's power over the individual. Society exercises control over the individual through prevailing opinion. Mill also argues that individuals should be allowed to participate in any activity they choose, so long as it does not harm others. 

While most discussions of liberty center on government power, the subject of Mill's essay is the nature and limits of society's power over the individual. Society exercises control over the individual through prevailing opinion. Mill also argues that individuals should be allowed to participate in any activity they choose, so long as it does not harm others.

Episode 105: John Stuart Mill - On Liberty

Anthony Hennen

Conservative Stories - Anthony Hennen

Jonah Goldberg

Goldberg explains that fascism is an offshoot of socialism and, rather than being conservative, is just another variety of far-left thought.

Goldberg explains that fascism is an offshoot of socialism and, rather than being conservative, is just another variety of far-left thought.

Episode 103: Jonah Goldberg - Liberal Fascism

Jonathan Haidt

Haidt writes about social media and the downfall of normal society.

Haidt writes about social media and the downfall of normal society.

102: Jonathan Haidt - Why the Last Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid

Rachel Bovard

Rachel Bovard serves as Senior Director of Policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute. 

Rachel Bovard serves as Senior Director of Policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute.

Episode 101: Conservative Stories - Rachel Bovard

William F. Buckley

For our centennial episode, we read God and Man at Yale, a 1951 book by William F. Buckley Jr., based on his undergraduate experiences at Yale . Buckley criticized the school for forcing collectivist, Keynesian, and secularist ideology on students. We discuss this and how it relates to current debates about politcis in the academy.

For our centennial episode, we read God and Man at Yale, a 1951 book by William F. Buckley Jr., based on his undergraduate experiences at Yale . Buckley criticized the school for forcing collectivist, Keynesian, and secularist ideology on students. We discuss this and how it relates to current debates about politcis in the academy.

Episode 100: William F. Buckley - God and Man at Yale

John Mearsheimer

Mearsheimer argues that liberal hegemony — the foreign policy pursued by the United States since the Cold War ended — is doomed to fail. It would be better, he says, for America to practice restraint in the foreign policy sphere based on a sound understanding of how nationalism and realism constrain great powers. We also discuss Ukraine and both agree that American solidiers do not belong in the conflict. 

Mearsheimer argues that liberal hegemony — the foreign policy pursued by the United States since the Cold War ended — is doomed to fail. It would be better, he says, for America to practice restraint in the foreign policy sphere based on a sound understanding of how nationalism and realism constrain great powers. We also discuss Ukraine and both agree that American solidiers do not belong in the conflict.

Episode 99: John Mearsheimer - The Great Delusion

Michael Strain

Strain questions Trump's trade and immigration policies. We disagree on whether he's right. 

Strain questions Trump's trade and immigration policies. We disagree on whether he's right.

Episode 98: Michael Strain - Forget the Economics of Grievance

Tim Stanley

Episode 97: Tim Stanley - Whatever Happened to Tradition?

Welcome to Conservative Minds – a podcast about conservative ideas and thinkers. We explore what it means to call yourself a conservative, where conservatism has been, and where it's going. Each week, we select readings and conduct a discussion to share with you our investigation. Join the conversation by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter at @consminds.

I have really enjoyed this podcast so far, as it has introduced me to writings I would not have considered “conservative” or that I just wouldn’t have looked into on my own.  I would have given them 5 stars, but there were some audio issues with at least a couple podcasts, that I just can’t get around. But as far as the content, it’s quite high level. I enjoy both perspectives, each contributor adds to the discussion, and I have been on quite a bender with this CCP virus pandemic quarantine.  If you’re looking for some really high quality conservative content, you should definitely subscribe to Conservative Minds.

Great discussions, topics, and high level concepts

Interesting approach to podcast discussion.  Need some loud voices and maybe some foul language (only kidding).  Enjoy the shows more when I&#39;m already familiar with the subject (i.e. Norquist).  But a nice change of pace going on here.
-hbpa

interesting

Conservative Minds

Thomas Sowell

Sowell introduces us to his concept of competing visions in American political life. The constrained vision sees progress limited by human nature. Whatever solutions humans develop to restrain or ameliorate human evils will themselves impose costs or create new social ills. Thus, public policy must always deal in trade-offs rather than absolutes. The unconstrained vision believes human moral improvement has no fixed limits, thus all human problems are entirely solvable. These two visions find themselves talking past one another in the political sphere.

Sowell introduces us to his concept of competing visions in American political life. The constrained vision sees progress limited by human nature. Whatever solutions humans develop to restrain or ameliorate human evils will themselves impose costs or create new social ills. Thus, public policy must always deal in trade-offs rather than absolutes. The unconstrained vision believes human moral improvement has no fixed limits, thus all human problems are entirely solvable. These two visions find themselves talking past one another in the political sphere.

Episode 23: Thomas Sowell - A Conflict of Visions

Patrick Deneen

According to Deneen, liberalism has failed because it was true to itself. The Left and Right cooperate in the expansion of both statism and individualism. The liberal state both creates the individual and secures the free market through the increasingly massive and all-encompassing Leviathan. Both the free market and individual liberty have a solvent effect on traditional relationships and the social fabric.  

According to Deneen, liberalism has failed because it was true to itself. The Left and Right cooperate in the expansion of both statism and individualism. The liberal state both creates the individual and secures the free market through the increasingly massive and all-encompassing Leviathan. Both the free market and individual liberty have a solvent effect on traditional relationships and the social fabric.

Episode 37: Patrick Deneen - Why Liberalism Failed

Bill Buckley nearly single-handedly initiated the modern American conservative movement. He launched the National Review in 1955 to "stand athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it." From his perch at NR, he led a multi-decade project aimed at remaking the public policy landscape. He pulled together disparate conservative strains, while pushing others - the 'kooks' - outside the tent. He played a leading role in consolidating conservatives into the Republican Party. His view of the world achieved vindication with the election of Ronald Reagan. 

Bill Buckley nearly single-handedly initiated the modern American conservative movement. He launched the National Review in 1955 to "stand athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it." From his perch at NR, he led a multi-decade project aimed at remaking the public policy landscape. He pulled together disparate conservative strains, while pushing others - the 'kooks' - outside the tent. He played a leading role in consolidating conservatives into the Republican Party. His view of the world achieved vindication with the election of Ronald Reagan.

Episode 11: William F. Buckley - Athwart History

Richard Weaver

Weaver identified philosophical and cultural trends bubbling in the 1940s that denied absolute truth and higher-ordered values. He saw universal narratives - like God or country or family - that provide meaning and coherence to the world falling under the attack of relativism. The consequence of these ideas, he says, is the cultural decline of the West. 

Weaver identified philosophical and cultural trends bubbling in the 1940s that denied absolute truth and higher-ordered values. He saw universal narratives - like God or country or family - that provide meaning and coherence to the world falling under the attack of relativism. The consequence of these ideas, he says, is the cultural decline of the West.

Episode 3: Richard Weaver - Ideas Have Consequences

Edmund Burke

Burke believed deeply in tradition as the governing principle for human flourishing. He called society a living contract between the living, the dead, and future generations. God willed the state to provide the means for perfecting human virtue. For Burke, political and social life is an expression of god’s will. 

Burke believed deeply in tradition as the governing principle for human flourishing. He called society a living contract between the living, the dead, and future generations. God willed the state to provide the means for perfecting human virtue. For Burke, political and social life is an expression of god’s will.

Episode 7: Edmund Burke - Reflections on the Revolution in France

Russell Kirk

Russell Kirk was an early aggregator of conservative thought. He traced conservative intellectual history from Edmund Burke to Kirk's own lifetime. Writing in the 1940s and 1950s, Kirk was nearly alone in his interest in establishing conservatism as a viable political philosophy in America. In this book, he distills the conservative outlook into a concise and readable volume. 

Russell Kirk was an early aggregator of conservative thought. He traced conservative intellectual history from Edmund Burke to Kirk's own lifetime. Writing in the 1940s and 1950s, Kirk was nearly alone in his interest in establishing conservatism as a viable political philosophy in America. In this book, he distills the conservative outlook into a concise and readable volume.

Episode 26: Russell Kirk - Concise Guide to Conservatism

For Machiavelli, the end of politics is the maximization of power. A prince achieves greatness through calculation and maneuver. The wise prince knows how to use and constrain human nature to manipulate his subjects.

For Machiavelli, the end of politics is the maximization of power. A prince achieves greatness through calculation and maneuver. The wise prince knows how to use and constrain human nature to manipulate his subjects.

Episode 41: Niccolo Machiavelli - The Prince

Patrick Buchanan

Buchanan sees an America divided by class. The elite class of professionals benefit from globalization and trade, while the middle class lies forgotten and left behind. Global trade deals put American labor in competition with millions of workers willing to do the same jobs for a fraction of the pay an American family needs for a living wage. Meanwhile, millions of illegal aliens compete with unskilled and semi-skilled Americans for local jobs. Buchanan argues that   America’s elite is oblivious to what is happening to the country, "as an older, better America – where we were a community, a nation, a people – slowly dies." He calls for a New Nationalism that puts America before the global economy.

Buchanan sees an America divided by class. The elite class of professionals benefit from globalization and trade, while the middle class lies forgotten and left behind. Global trade deals put American labor in competition with millions of workers willing to do the same jobs for a fraction of the pay an American family needs for a living wage. Meanwhile, millions of illegal aliens compete with unskilled and semi-skilled Americans for local jobs. Buchanan argues that America’s elite is oblivious to what is happening to the country, "as an older, better America – where we were a community, a nation, a people – slowly dies." He calls for a New Nationalism that puts America before the global economy.

Episode 12: Patrick Buchanan - The Great Betrayal

Milton Friedman

Milton Friedman was the twentieth century’s most prominent advocate of free markets. He argues that the free market - what he labels "competitive capitalism" - is a necessary condition for political freedom. The free market gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. For him, government serves as a forum for determining the rules of the game and as an umpire to interpret and enforce those rules. Government is necessary to preserve freedom, yet concentrated political power in the hands of government also threatens freedom.

Milton Friedman was the twentieth century’s most prominent advocate of free markets. He argues that the free market - what he labels "competitive capitalism" - is a necessary condition for political freedom. The free market gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. For him, government serves as a forum for determining the rules of the game and as an umpire to interpret and enforce those rules. Government is necessary to preserve freedom, yet concentrated political power in the hands of government also threatens freedom.

Episode 8: Milton Friedman - Capitalism and Freedom

Friedrich Hayek

Hayek sees a choice between individualism and socialism. He contrasts the Enlightenment project of liberal individualism against the collectivist ideologies of national socialism, fascism, and communism. Communism and fascism are two sides of the same coin - both categorically despise individualism. He warns against the trend away from liberalism in the West. According to Hayek, the very success of liberalism has become the cause of its decline. The liberal principles that made progress possible have come to be regarded more as obstacles to speedier progress. Freedom is cast aside in favor of hubristic collectivism. The Road to Serfdom demonstrates how collectivist ideologies lead inevitably to totalitarianism. 

Hayek sees a choice between individualism and socialism. He contrasts the Enlightenment project of liberal individualism against the collectivist ideologies of national socialism, fascism, and communism. Communism and fascism are two sides of the same coin - both categorically despise individualism. He warns against the trend away from liberalism in the West. According to Hayek, the very success of liberalism has become the cause of its decline. The liberal principles that made progress possible have come to be regarded more as obstacles to speedier progress. Freedom is cast aside in favor of hubristic collectivism. The Road to Serfdom demonstrates how collectivist ideologies lead inevitably to totalitarianism.

Episode 13: Friedrich Hayek - The Road to Serfdom

Charles Murray

Charles Murray uses sociological research to show how white America is dividing into classes based on cognitive ability. Access to college and the college sorting system has facilitated what he calls a 'new upper-class' with its own culture and tastes unique in American history. He posits that higher-IQ individuals are congregating in high-income areas of the country and are increasingly separating themselves from the rest of society. He explores the ramifications of this new dynamic for the working class. 

Charles Murray uses sociological research to show how white America is dividing into classes based on cognitive ability. Access to college and the college sorting system has facilitated what he calls a 'new upper-class' with its own culture and tastes unique in American history. He posits that higher-IQ individuals are congregating in high-income areas of the country and are increasingly separating themselves from the rest of society. He explores the ramifications of this new dynamic for the working class.

Episode 24: Charles Murray - Coming Apart: The State of White America

Harry Jaffa

Crisis of the House Divided is Jaffa's exploration of Abraham Lincoln's political thought. Lincoln believed that the rights enunciated in the Declaration of Independence were understood by its authors to apply to all men - African Americans included. According to Lincoln, the Declaration not only implies what are the goals to be sought with the consent of the governed in a free society; it also states a theory of political obligation. 

Crisis of the House Divided is Jaffa's exploration of Abraham Lincoln's political thought. Lincoln believed that the rights enunciated in the Declaration of Independence were understood by its authors to apply to all men - African Americans included. According to Lincoln, the Declaration not only implies what are the goals to be sought with the consent of the governed in a free society; it also states a theory of political obligation.

Episode 40: Harry Jaffa - Crisis of the House Divided

Rod Dreher

Dreher has some hard truths for Christian conservatives: the culture war is over, and values-voters have lost. The light of Christianity is flickering out all over the West. He says, if Christians want to survive, they must return to the roots of faith in thought and practice. He calls on Christian conservatives to withdraw from politics and build thriving communities apart from the world where Christian truth can be lived.

Dreher has some hard truths for Christian conservatives: the culture war is over, and values-voters have lost. The light of Christianity is flickering out all over the West. He says, if Christians want to survive, they must return to the roots of faith in thought and practice. He calls on Christian conservatives to withdraw from politics and build thriving communities apart from the world where Christian truth can be lived.

Episode 43: Rod Dreher - Benedict Option

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison

The Federalist Papers are 85 letters written under the pen name “Publius”. Publius was the joint creation of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Originally intended as an attempt to influence the people of New York to ratify the new Constitution, the Federalist Papers came to be the best contemporary explanation of that document by men who had an outsized role in drafting it. These essays explain the ideas behind the Constitution and the reasoning that led to the choices made in the convention of 1787. Thomas Jefferson would later call it "the best commentary on the principles of government which ever was written."

The Federalist Papers are 85 letters written under the pen name “Publius”. Publius was the joint creation of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Originally intended as an attempt to influence the people of New York to ratify the new Constitution, the Federalist Papers came to be the best contemporary explanation of that document by men who had an outsized role in drafting it. These essays explain the ideas behind the Constitution and the reasoning that led to the choices made in the convention of 1787. Thomas Jefferson would later call it "the best commentary on the principles of government which ever was written."

Episode 31: Alexander Hamilton & James Madison - Federalist Papers

John Locke

Locke posits an original human state of nature characterized by nominal freedom and equality. People leave the state of nature to form political society to protect their property and ensure their safety. In Locke's view, government has a role limited to the preservation of liberty, the security of property, and the redress of injuries. 

Locke posits an original human state of nature characterized by nominal freedom and equality. People leave the state of nature to form political society to protect their property and ensure their safety. In Locke's view, government has a role limited to the preservation of liberty, the security of property, and the redress of injuries.

Episode 4: John Locke - Second Treatise of Government

Oren Cass

Cass argues that work matters. Trade, efficiency gains, and immigration have led to growth in GDP, but he says we gave up something. The labor market can no longer allow families and communities to support themselves. And, without stable families and communities, economic opportunity vanishes. The alternative is to place the renewal of work and family at the center of public policy. 

Cass argues that work matters. Trade, efficiency gains, and immigration have led to growth in GDP, but he says we gave up something. The labor market can no longer allow families and communities to support themselves. And, without stable families and communities, economic opportunity vanishes. The alternative is to place the renewal of work and family at the center of public policy.

Episode 38: Oren Cass - Once and Future Worker

Yoram Hazony

Hazony argues that, for centuries, Western nations have been characterized by a struggle between two antithetical visions of world order: nationalism and imperialism. Nationalism, for him, involves nations that are able to chart their own independent course by cultivating their own traditions and pursuing their own interests without interference. In contrast, imperialism involves peoples united under a single regime of law and maintained by a single supranational authority. He argues that nationalism, built on mutual human loyalty to family and tribe, represents the true foundation of political order. No universal ideology - not Christianity, liberalism, Marxism - has succeeded in eliminating the intense human desire to protect and strengthen the tribe. 

Hazony argues that, for centuries, Western nations have been characterized by a struggle between two antithetical visions of world order: nationalism and imperialism. Nationalism, for him, involves nations that are able to chart their own independent course by cultivating their own traditions and pursuing their own interests without interference. In contrast, imperialism involves peoples united under a single regime of law and maintained by a single supranational authority. He argues that nationalism, built on mutual human loyalty to family and tribe, represents the true foundation of political order. No universal ideology - not Christianity, liberalism, Marxism - has succeeded in eliminating the intense human desire to protect and strengthen the tribe.

Episode 35: Yoram Hazony - Virtue of Nationalism

Allan Bloom

Bloom warns about the moral relativism capturing the American academe. He calls out this movement toward 'openness' as a harmful force that paradoxically has resulted in 'closing' the minds of the students. He sees openness as a broadside attack on tradition and common culture. American history and intellectual heritage have been forcibly removed from school curriculum in favor of ethnic and identity studies. 

Bloom warns about the moral relativism capturing the American academe. He calls out this movement toward 'openness' as a harmful force that paradoxically has resulted in 'closing' the minds of the students. He sees openness as a broadside attack on tradition and common culture. American history and intellectual heritage have been forcibly removed from school curriculum in favor of ethnic and identity studies.

Episode 28: Allan Bloom - Closing of the American Mind

Leo Strauss

Strauss sees a lowering of the sights of political life from a classical focus on values and the Good to a Modern fetishizing of facts and causes. He believes humans can discern right versus wrong according to Nature. He wants to reclaim Natural Right from the misguided critiques from historicism and social science. Strauss believes that all natural beings have a natural destiny that determines what kind of life is good for them.  We also consider whether the text implies anything with regard to Neoconservatism or the Iraq War, as Strauss was somehow implicated in the Bush foreign policy. Spoiler alert: we find absolutely nothing. 

Strauss sees a lowering of the sights of political life from a classical focus on values and the Good to a Modern fetishizing of facts and causes. He believes humans can discern right versus wrong according to Nature. He wants to reclaim Natural Right from the misguided critiques from historicism and social science. Strauss believes that all natural beings have a natural destiny that determines what kind of life is good for them. We also consider whether the text implies anything with regard to Neoconservatism or the Iraq War, as Strauss was somehow implicated in the Bush foreign policy. Spoiler alert: we find absolutely nothing.

Episode 18: Leo Strauss - Natural Right and History

Ludwig von Mises

Von Mises argues that the created wealth of our time can be traced back to classical liberal/capitalist institutions. Even writing in 1927, he noted how the standard of living had risen far above that which just a few generations ago was possible only to the rich and privileged. He evaluates the collectivist ideologies of the Right and Left and finds them inferior to private ownership of property and a free market.  

Von Mises argues that the created wealth of our time can be traced back to classical liberal/capitalist institutions. Even writing in 1927, he noted how the standard of living had risen far above that which just a few generations ago was possible only to the rich and privileged. He evaluates the collectivist ideologies of the Right and Left and finds them inferior to private ownership of property and a free market.

Episode 36: Ludwig von Mises - Liberalism

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