Part of the institution-building would be new federal laws to prevent executive overreach in hiring and firing personnel, defunding agencies, corruption, etc. Agreed, this needs to get started now.
Senior program officer for research initiatives, Kettering Foundation. Political theorist, editor of From Many, We blog. Studies democracy, virtue ethics, Aristotle. Orioles fan. Opinions expressed here are mine. https://kettering.org/newsletter-optin/
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Part of the institution-building would be new federal laws to prevent executive overreach in hiring and firing personnel, defunding agencies, corruption, etc. Agreed, this needs to get started now.
Make a state’s core identity synonymous with a religio-cultural “nation” and everyone else’s rights become contingent. That’s exactly what Hazony wants for Israel and for the United States.
What even is Blueskyism?
How long before JD Vance turns on the new Pope for Trump? www.axios.com/2025/09/01/p...
Last week, @julieroginsky.bsky.social & I showed how Russia used Nazis & white supremacists to influence the 2016 election. This week, we dig into how the Kremlin penetrated Fox News and other right-wing outlets Check out our series, subscribe, and please share so people can be armed with facts
A podcast not to be missed by anyone who wants to understand #Ukraine. I've just devoured all 5 episodes. Thank you @okhromeychuk.bsky.social & @uilleamblacker.bsky.social for this crucial contribution. I particularly liked the fascinating episode on Crimea! www.olesyakhromeychuk.com/projects/the...
"The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts." -John Locke, philosopher (29 Aug 1632-1704)
A useful lens for thinking about how growing inequality has affected American life. A dozen other essays could easily be written as variations on this theme (e.g., how baseball parks used to accommodate many more fans at cheaper prices with fewer frills, etc.).
Agreed, and by the way "bring together people with otherwise profound disagreements" is exactly what Trump did to the GOP.
Fyi this was something we called out in our analysis of Project 2025. They said saving lives was not worth the impact on churches. kettering.org/project-2025...
If you read anything today read this...
1. My newest Anti-Trans Legal Risk Map is here. Risk has increased sharply for youth in many states as clinics shutter under Trump and state AGs refuse to enforce civil rights laws. For adults, some increases in risk. Nationwide risk remains extreme. Subscribe to support my journalism.
Has anyone put together a pro-democracy fed legislation package to undo Project 2025 in the event that Democrats win the mid terms? Like, revoke Schedule G, ensure expenditure of fed funds, prevent political prosecutions etc?
Many Trump supporters now think U.S. elections are fair. "The fact that trust in U.S. elections can swing so dramatically – based purely on who wins – exposes how fragile Americans’ faith in democratic institutions has become." Read our latest: goodauthority.org/news/many-tr...
What do you get when you combine nationalism plus socialism?
The Constitution is clear: the power of the purse belongs to Congress. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/08/19/trump-budget-congress-impoundment/
From the opening paragraph: "America may not be fully authoritarian, but by no means can we consider it to be a functioning democracy." He is not arguing that it is fully consolidated, that is the whole point of the competitive authoritarianism concept.
If we have to think in terms of "resistance" (rather than ordinary politics) then we are already there, no? Maybe this is a semantic difference over what competitive authoritarianism means.
Those can all be true under competitive authoritarianism. The regime does not have to have complete control (hence "competitive"), only enough to stack the playing field against the opposition.
Lot to unpack here in terms of principled stances vs electoral considerations and what the evidence says, but even if you agree with the premise of the piece, the idea that Trump is a dealmaker on election policy, or that its a good idea to add more federal control over elections rn is questionable
To paraphrase: "It's the culture wars, stupid."
I'm pleased to introduce a full set of Congressional *and* legislative report cards, courtesy of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. An enormous amount of work, the culmination of several years of development. Check it out! samwang.substack.com/p/redistrict...
Doesn't get any more DC than this!
How about deploying the Corps of Engineers to build shelters?
The NY Times says this administration considers diversity "taboo." A healthy democracy includes a robust appreciation f/ diversity & widespread civic participation. Research from the last 10+ years shows Christian nationalism threatens democracy in at least 3 ways: kettering.org/how-christia...
🔦“The Light Must Stay On” — on day 267 of #GeorgiaProtests, people marched in support of independent online media. The campaign unites 22 outlets against repressive laws threatening them with financial ruin, raising donations to cover basic needs and remain operational. 🔴 www.sinatle.media
I find myself with even greater appreciation of Rawls today and I do not think he would be neutral about MAGA.
+1, I am hardly a Rawlsian but the whole point of Rawls is to develop a theory of liberalism based on rock solid 1st principles. He thought the state should be neutral on "comprehensive doctrines" (i.e. religions) but not about liberalism itself.
All star group on how journalism is failing to respond to authoritarian elites, fake news, and AI--and how it can pivot to meet the moment. @subbuvincent.bsky.social @jayrosen.bsky.social @joelsimonsays.bsky.social and others. www.cjr.org/feature/thir...
A massive re-education/organization of lib-left funders is so necessary. We need to come up with long term funding priorities & redirect. Above all STOP throwing money into the hellmourh of the national election consultant class.Long term investment in leftish civil society institutions uber alles.
New from Kettering research fellow Andrew Whitehead: a primer on Christian Nationalism and how it threatens democracy. It starts with a view that some are more "American" than others. kettering.org/how-christia...
I second this piece by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social. Nationalist conservatives were able to bring together disparate groups on the right to realign the GOP around a completely new agenda. Where is the similar effort among pro-democracy groups? www.vox.com/on-the-right...
This should be where the end begins. Let’s pray it is. Governor Ferguson, America salutes you.
To address homelessness!
I used to walk to Union Station when I was 14 to take the subway across town to school. If anything it is safer now due to gentrification. Even if there are homeless that does not explain why the military is needed.
The National Guard isn’t meant to police Americans. It exists to support states, under their governors. Fewer than 1 in 4 Americans support deploying the National Guard without the Governor's consent. Get the facts: statesunited.org/resources/fa...
Is "chatbot" an understatement of these apps and technologies?
Last week, Reuters published two articles by journalist Jeff Horwitz reporting concerning details about Meta's AI chatbot policies and products and how they affect children and vulnerable adults. Tech Policy Press invited experts to submit reactions to the reports—here are their responses:
Simply amazing. Now @nytimes.com headline is making this look like a legitimate process, too:
AMERICAN IDOLATRY turns 2 today! I'm proud of the hard work that went into it. I'm encouraged that adult study groups in congregations and communities continue to read and interact with it. @brazospress.bsky.social bakerbookhouse.com/products/492...
This is stunning but perhaps shouldn't be.
"I regret to inform you, your article has been declined due to failing Reviewer 1's bullshit detector. We encourage you to continue with this exciting project."
I lived the next neighborhood over (Adams Morgan) after college. I had an amazing experience surrounded African Americans, Asian, African, and Latino immigrants, and lots of young people. I am not surprised the administration is focusing on one of the most vibrant and diverse areas of the city.
2016 election. Yeah, we elected Biden but then we had Jan 6, four years of bubbling anger, and then Trump 2.0. It all started with Trump's run and Hillary's stunning loss in 2016.
Nope. It's not "sidestepping norms." It is authoritarianism. Say the word. In Pursuing Trump Rival, Weaponization Czar Sidesteps Justice Dept. Norms www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u...
I had the great privilege of seeing this talk by the most famous living Russian dissident, @vkaramurza.bsky.social. In light of MAGA today, his description of Russia's transformation from an emerging liberal democracy to an extreme authoritarian regime was absolutely chilling.
How much closer is the U.S. to full authoritarianism? Political scientist @stevelevitsky.bsky.social takes stock of the first 6 months of the Trump administration.
One of the questions I always receive when presenting on Christian nationalism & the threat to democracy is "what should we do?" This new column from @kettering.org's From Many, We series provides some great examples. kettering.org/lessons-lear...
Because of course Putin is an expert on real democracy.
I was also impressed with his absolute conviction that democracy will eventually win, even in these challenging times.
I had the great privilege of seeing this talk by the most famous living Russian dissident, @vkaramurza.bsky.social. In light of MAGA today, his description of Russia's transformation from an emerging liberal democracy to an extreme authoritarian regime was absolutely chilling.
Ironically the biggest threat to Mount Pleasant is not immigration but gentrification.
Don't forget OH is where JD Vance and Trump said in the campaign we are being overrun by Haitian immigrants. You would think troops would be needed here more than DC.
Ohio folks, anyone know of any plans to protest Gov. DeWine’s decision to support this awful farce?
Agreed, insurrectionists, and white and Christian nationalists do not get to claim a monopoly on patriotism.
Predictably, the Alaska summit didn’t produce anything even worthy of a footnote in the history books — no peace deal, not even a token ceasefire. The only thing that will be remembered is that a red carpet was rolled out for a war criminal on American soil. 1/2
This is when Democrats clearly explain to the US public why we don't negotiate with terrorists and a strong Ukraine policy is in US national interest.
RU propagandist
What is the pro democracy alignment to counter the illiberalism realignment of the GOP? Excellent question and conversation.
From Honduras to Ukraine to Colombia, the evidence is clear: change starts locally and builds to national and global impact. kettering.org/lessons-lear...
📢 New in #FromManyWe: Daniel Tirrell reflects on key lessons from USAID’s global democracy and conflict prevention work—and why local civic networks are essential in resisting authoritarianism.
This story is terrifying in itself, but the lede is somewhat buried here. Meta's policies explicitly allow 1) pretending to be real people, 2) romantic overtures to > age 13, and 3) misinformation (such as "you can heal cancer with crystals"). www.reuters.com/investigates...
This is absolutely horrifying.
Reposting to #poltheory
Serious world-level mafia clan clashes in Georgia. Thank you, the Georgian Dream, for letting mafia thrive in Georgia again, and for rapidly making Georgia a Christian Chechnya. oc-media.org/georgia-arre...
I think he just called us all asses
Just a hunch, I am guessing the author blames the election on liberals going too far on pronouns and trans rights. Sorry, MAGA is anti-science too. It is too late to throw humanities under the bus and think that it will stop there.
🚨 More from my conversation with @jimacosta.bsky.social yesterday: The competitive autocracy model Trump is following involves elections. They just try to tilt the playing field so they can’t lose That’s what’s happening at the moment in multiple states. And why we must fight back HARD:
Making false claims can also be called lying.
Trump is reportedly planning a military "rapid reaction" force to police civil unrest. That's dangerous, Brennan Center's Joseph Nunn says: “You don’t want to normalize routine military participation in law enforcement."
Roseanne Barr and Kid Rock
Former Public Agenda President @willfriedman.bsky.social writes for @washingtonmonthly.com: if we want a nation of material abundance, we must also achieve a sense of "civic abundance" to go along with it. Read the full piece here: washingtonmonthly.com/2025/08/11/t...
I’m quoted in this story and would like to expand on what I’m talking about in terms of this not being how the NG has been used, historically. Though first I should note that Joe Nunn is right on all counts. I’m just adding a little historical context. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
I am struck there seems to be an equivalence between Iraq and Ukraine as if there are no differences between the two.
There are quotes from @skyeperryman.bsky.social and @maya4rights.bsky.social but these are buried at the bottom of the article. Their perspective is completely absent from the headline and first 80% or so of the text.
What in the world is NYT doing here? This is bad even by NYT standards. Not only is it normalizing authoritarianism, it doesn't even do the usual both sides. This is basically NYT acting as state media.
Trump is moving to place D.C.’s police under federal control and deploy hundreds of National Guard troops, citing a crime wave his own Justice Department says doesn’t exist. @democracyprof.bsky.social joins The Weeknight to break down the legal and constitutional stakes of Trump’s latest power grab.
Tank man of U street? allthatsinteresting.com/tank-man
What federal law do they say homeless people are breaking?
As Trump deploys troops on DC’s streets, it’s worth remembering what tyranny looks like.
Here is the original post with my thoughts on nationalist conservatism itself. bsky.app/profile/dwmb...
With the opposition on the defensive, the temptation is to defend the status quo. What is needed is some kind of framework for policies that help ordinary Americans without abandoning the project of an inclusive, multiracial, multicultural democracy.
Rather than respond to tariffs by doubling down on free trade, can governemnts take active steps to ameliorate the economic, human, and environmental impacts of globalization.
Markets are good *only* to the extent they contribute to this civic culture (e.g. through exchange and cooperation); to the extent that markets do not (e.g. by creating competition and inequality), they state should take active steps to ameliorate the social problems they create.
A nation is not a big tribe, it is a collection of tribes with no single culture or ethnicity except a culture of openness. Institutions are needed to ensure no single group dominates, but they are not enough. They a strong civic culture, but one that bridges differences and celebrates diversity.
A different approach would be to lean into the nationalist discourse, but to develop a nationalism that is pro-pluralism and inclusion. I call this civic nationalism. A logic of civic nationalism might go like this:
In other words, MAGA has forced the opposition into the position of defending an unpopular status quo. But if the liberal international order and global capitalism are no longer working for the majority of people, is there a progressive alternative?
One alternative to nationalist conservatism is to defend classical liberalism. This appears to be the move of mainstream centrist democrats who embraced capitalism in order to win moderate conservatives, as well as free market conservatives who have defended classical liberalism against socialism.
As I argued, nationalist conservatism has shifted the GOP from a pro-markets economic agenda to an anti-pluralist cultural agenda. They have a policy agenda they claim will benefit the economy (tariffs and mass deportations) but mostly it is a cultural agenda. So what is the alternative?
On Friday I posted some thoughts on "national conservatism", the ideology guiding MAGA leadership, as espoused by figures like Yoram Hazony and JD Vance. Some thoughts today on a civic nationalist alternative that is not merely defending the status quo www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/o...
💯 it easy to make jokes about Putin and Alaska, but the gravity of what just happened should be acknowledged. Putin gets a massive win, wtf. A war criminal, a murderer on US soil, is Rubio ok with this too?
Sadly, it is. He can even pardon himself, most likely. Some believe that is the main reason he ran for reelection.
This is the moment where Vance goes rogue to position himself for 2028 as more MAGA than Trump
Assuming the "negotiation" plays out as you suggest, it is a gift to Putin, but also signal to authoritarian states that the US is weak, and green light for future aggression.
The Trump-Putin Summit, as it is being framed, a peace deal “land-swap” between Russia and Ukraine, is very troubling and should sound alarm bells at home and abroad.
If US policy is that territory can be "earned on the battlefield", the international order is basically dead.
Coercion, bombing, and thin deals do not get you a Nobel Peace Prize. Pax Trumpiana? I Think Not open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Don't forget he also led a violent insurrection
