Keeping It Civil

In this episode, Andre Archie, associate professor of ancient Greek philosophy at Colorado State University, discusses the ideas presented in his 2024 book The Virtue of Color-Blindness. A specialist in Plato, Aristotle, and ancient political philosophy, Archie’s work engages both classical methodology and contemporary debates. The conversation explores why he views colorblindness as an important American ideal, why he disagrees with critical race theorists, and how the United States might move forward in addressing racial inequality while upholding this principle.

In this episode, Mary Elise Sarotte, the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies and research associate at Harvard University’s Center for European Studies, discusses America’s role in shaping the post–Cold War world. Drawing on her book Not One Inch: America, Russia, and the Making of Post–Cold War Stalemate, she examines the legacy of NATO expansion, Western relations with Russia, and what the Russia-Ukraine war reveals about a new global order.

In this episode, Aurelian Craiutu, professor of political science at Indiana University, explores the role of moderation in contemporary politics. His research focuses on French political and social thought and comparative political theory, and he has written and edited more than a dozen books. His work has appeared in leading academic journals including American Political Science Review, Perspectives on Politics, and Political Theory. The conversation centers on his 2023 book Why Not Moderation?: Letters to Young Radicals, which makes the case that moderation is not a passive stance but a powerful and, at times, radical force in turbulent political moments.

In this episode, Henry Thomson speaks with Gerard Baker, a prominent British columnist at the Wall Street Journal and host of its podcast i. Baker’s distinguished career has included work with the BBC, The Financial Times, and The Times, as well as five years as Editor-in-Chief of the Wall Street Journal. He is also the author of American Breakdown: Why We No Longer Trust Our Leaders and Institutions and How We Can Rebuild Confidence, which examines the erosion of Americans' trust in their political, business and cultural leaders, and offers solutions for a better future. Together, Henry and Gerard examine why American journalism has lost credibility, how the media approached the 2024 presidential election, and what changes could restore confidence and ease today’s deep political polarization.

Featuring Lucas Morel, professor of politics at Washington and Lee University. Morel delves into the complex relationship between patriotism and the experiences of Black Americans, as exemplified by the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass. Despite facing profound injustices and obstacles, both leaders ultimately embraced America and its potential for progress. MLK's vision of the Beloved Community, rooted in the American Dream, challenged the nation to confront systemic inequalities and enact radical changes. We explore MLK's proposed solutions, including a "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged," and his critiques of capitalism's role in perpetuating poverty. Additionally, we examine Frederick Douglass's journey from an enslaved person to an outspoken advocate for American principles, highlighting his belief in the transformative power of living up to the nation's founding ideals. Through their insights, we ponder the ongoing quest for a more inclusive and just society, grappling with questions of individual responsibility versus governmental intervention in realizing the promise of America.

Robert P. George serves as the sixth McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. Henry and George discuss respecting free speech rights on campus (and beyond) for all perspectives, distinguishing genuine free speech from incitement to violence. George advocates for institutional neutrality in universities, discouraging them from taking positions on moral and political issues. The two also speak about free speech challenges, including ideological conformism, social media pressures, and the fear of backlash. George suggests that examples of bold individuals who question orthodoxies can inspire courage and diversity of viewpoints.

In this episode Henry speaks with Dr. James R. Stoner, Professor and Director of the Eric Voegelin Institute in the Department of Political Science at Louisiana State University. Henry and Stoner dive into the intricate threads of constitutional history with a focus on the symbiotic relationship between British and American constitutional traditions. This episode unravels the historical, institutional, and philosophical aspects that shape the governance, representation, and legislative processes in these distinct democratic systems.

Welcome to Season 5 of Keeping it Civil. We’re thrilled to have you back and promise memorable, informative, thought-provoking conversations. In this episode our host Henry Thompson sits down with a Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute Matthew Continetti. Besides discussing his most recent book, The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism, Continetti speaks about the Republican Party beyond Donald Trump and modern conservatism in the United States, its roots and its future.

Jenna Storey is a senior Fellow in the Social, Cultural and Constitutional Studies Department at the American Enterprise Institute. Henry and Jenna Storey speak about the crisis of modern liberal arts education, the restlessness of young college students and her plans for improving and reforming higher ed.

Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a New York Times bestselling author. In this episode Henry and Mac Donald discuss identity politics and why universities are not teaching students, among other things, how to think about ideas "in the abstract" in pursuit of evaluating neutral principles of free speech and government. They also talk about what Mac Donald thinks the role of university in society should be.

Bion Bartning is an entrepreneur and investor. He is also the founder of FAIR, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism. Bartning talks to Henry about what prompted him to start the Foundation and FAIR’s alternative diversity training and other mechanisms put in place as a response to racism and other ideologies.

In this episode Dr. Nichols, a hip-hop artist, public intellectual and academic, speaks with Henry about hip-hop as a form of public discussion and political activism, about the corrosive effect of social media on civil discourse and the legacy and influence of Bea Gaddy on Nichols' political views.