Can America Survive Its Political Divide?
As the cofounder of the massively influential Spy magazine in the 1980s, Kurt Andersen was among the first journalists to recognize Donald Trump as a significant figure in American culture. (Spy famously called the future president “a short-fingered vulgarian,” a description that still irks the billionaire). Over the past 40 years, Andersen emerged as one of the leading cultural critics of America, hosting the massively popular Studio 360 radio program for 20 years and writing a shelf of novels and nonfiction books.
His new novel, The Breakup, is set in 2045 and chronicles a married couple contemplating divorce as the United States reorganizes itself after a short but violent civil war. Like the best fiction, the characters in The Breakup are complicated and ambivalent as they deal with fast-evolving technology, generational strife, and the lingering effects of identity politics.
Andersen and Nick Gillespie talk about polarization, the baby boom’s senescence, and whether markets have failed today’s younger generations. They revisit and debate Andersen’s critique of Milton Friedman in Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America (“he gave people in business the green light to be entirely selfish”), civil libertarianism vs. economic libertarianism, inequality and mobility, and whether politics can ever return to what used to be called normal.
0:00—Summary of The Breakup
6:06—Could America have another civil war?
10:02—The 2024 Presidential election
12:45—Identity politics
15:52—Economic populism
17:23—Andersen’s Nebraskan roots
22:05—The Harvard Lampoon
28:43—MAD magazine’s cultural influence
30:20—Spy magazine and Donald Trump
36:09—Trump’s enduring appeal
41:50—Generational conflict
50:05—Milton Friedman
The post Can America Survive Its Political Divide? appeared first on Reason.com.
Source: https://reason.com/podcast/2026/08/19/can-america-survive-its-political-divide/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,829,564,060 |
| Stories: | 8,689,885 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
