Democracy Manifest

"There can be no moderate voters if there are no moderate candidates."

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Jonathan Rauch, beloved scholar at the otherwise hated Brookings Institution, returns to the Remnant for some spirited kvetching about primaries, polarization, and the state of democracy. He and Jonah also mix in some ruminations on the Republican Party’s dysfunction, the nature of racism in contemporary American society, and how identity politics radicalizes people. Be ready with your bingo cards.

Show Notes:

– Jonathan’s page at Brookings

– Jonathan’s previous Remnant appearance

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Comments (38)
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  1. Avatar photo
    Tault

    Liked this one! The debate around the role of race in the recent history of the GOP was useful, particularly because of how Jonah and Jonathan challenged each other.

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  2. Thegreenwoods

    Does it never get old for folks supporting TD and even some of the writers/podcasters(myself included) to filter everything through our preconceived ideologies? It seems we listen for things we do not believe or agree with and make judgements accordingly. Jonah and some others are better at being open to other points of view. I started listening to try to understand the conservative point of view. Some of my family members were Rush listeners and one recommended Hannity as a source to understand. I could not take the nonstop Biden bashing. Not a big Biden supporter but seriously when I recommend anything all I get back is that there is slant from mainstream media. I agree, but that attitude is what seems to have brought us to the silos many currently reside in. It is an ongoing task to reserve judgement and allow others to prioritize different things and not be labeled evil.

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  3. Mark

    Fascinating discussion. Your point about many on the right not being racist/prejudiced towards racial minorities, but instead not liking Beto O’Rourke was poignant.

    I’ve said it before, but I would love to hear a discussion on race between Jonah and David French, as it seems that there would be some real debate.

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  4. Payette

    A great discussion! Thanks to both of you.

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    Dave the Liberty Barfly

    An awesome conversation. You should have him on more often.

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    TheMatMan

    I really enjoyed this conversation. On primaries, I get the feeling you agree with each other on 80% and really had a nuanced discussion of the other 20.



    “Barry Goldwater had a fight with Nelson Rockefeller and George Wallace won." Wow, is that a sentence to think on.

    That said, while I personally thought this was one of your best episodes, I think everyone complaining and criticizing have valid points and many are spot on.

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    Marianwcates

    What a great episode. It gave me a broader understanding of the issues you two discussed. Rauch is one of the best guests I've heard on your podcast.

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  8. Randall Briggs

    What's with all the commercial breaks?

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  9. Chrisdent007

    Re Jeremy Corbyn in the UK... the Labour party had a nomination system roughly along the lines that Jonah G and Jonathan R wish for, in that support from a certain number of members of parliament was required. He would not have got on the ballot if MPs had nominated people they actually wanted - but some MPs nominated him to "broaden the debate" or similar - and then combined with the low barrier to entry to the voting pool, he won.

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    Daniel Jett

    One word: Outstanding.

    That is all.

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