Liberalism’s Sibling Rivalry | Interview: Michael R.J. Bonner

Liberalism’s Sibling Rivalry | Interview: Michael R.J. Bonner

From The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg by The Dispatch

May 25, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

Jonah Goldberg interviews Michael R.J. Bonner about liberalism and its various interpretations and criticisms.

For nearly three decades, Jonah Goldberg has rightly abused Canada for its many crimes: its adoption of the metric system, slanderous contentions about bacon, and dubious claim to Machias Seal Island, to name a few. Recent events have put Jonah in a more conciliatory mood, however, and he has resolved to bring more of our northern neighbors on the show. Today’s token Canadian, Michael R.J. Bonner, joins The Remnant to talk about his recent book on liberalism. Michael and Jonah run the gamut, talking about Steven Pinkerism, liberalism’s virgin birth, Cold War liberalism, the Rawlsian turn, postliberal criticisms, subsidiarity, modern progressivism, John Stuart Mill, the religion of humanity, left-wing violence, third worldism, Justin Trudeau's lack of self-understanding, and the war in Iran. Show Notes: —Michael R.J. Bonner - The Crisis of Liberalism: The Origin and Destiny of Freedom —Steven Pinker - Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress —Samuel Moyn - Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times —President Obama Delivers His Second Inaugural Address —Noah Rothman Remnant —Noah Rothman’s book —National Affairs…

People in this episode

Host: Jonah Goldberg

Guest: Michael R.J. Bonner

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Dispatch

Books & works: The Crisis of Liberalism: The Origin and Destiny of Freedom, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times

Places: Canada, Machias Seal Island, Iran

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