A Journal of Ideas

Jordan Michael Smith

Elvis Was in the Building

Many Cold War-era manifestations of American high and pop culture were great, for sure. But what if any thematic thread binds them?

Winter, No. 63 – 10 MIN READ

We Aren’t the World

A new Wilson biography tries to resuscitate liberal internationalism. A tall order—but a necessary one.

Spring, No. 44 – 18 MIN READ

Who Are Trump's Supporters?

Donald Trump’s boosters are examples of a phenomenon that the late Seymour Martin Lipset termed “working class authoritarianism.”

January 15, 2016, 5:33 pm – 4 MIN READ

Foreign Policy and the Fear of Boredom

Michael Ignatieff worries that liberalism devolves into mere "managerial quietism" unless it is on a crusade. But there are worse things than some peace and quietism.

January 14, 2016, 4:11 pm – 3 MIN READ

Dead Center

Obama's electoral wins and our shifting demographics portend a bright Democratic future. So why do centrists insist on fighting battles long won?

Summer 2013, No. 29 – 14 MIN READ