Right Ideas

In this episode of the Right Ideas podcast, Professor Amy Wax argues for a 'Radical Reactionary' approach to higher education reform, arguing for a decrease in foreign students, college administrators, and race-based policymaking. Along the way, she provides a sobering look at the current lack of academic freedom in our institutions and potential sources of renewal. This is the first episode of Right Ideas moderated by the new host of the podcast, Louis Galarowicz. Amy Wax is the Robert Mundheim Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a former member of the NAS Board of Directors. This episode also mentions two documents: An Open Letter To My Students, Adrian Vermuele 1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure, American Association of University Professors

American higher education is facing trust issues in an age where political overreach and social justice have taken over our educational institutions. How did we get here? What can be done about it? Greg Conti joins Right Ideas with host John Sailer to discuss. Greg Conti is an Assistant Professor of Politics at Princeton University and Editor-at-Large of Compact Magazine. His research focuses on the history of modern political thought, especially in Britain and France, and on the lessons that can be drawn from that history for contemporary debates in political philosophy.

John Sailer is joined by Zena Hitz to discuss her journey through intellectual life, and what she learned along the way. Hitz is a tutor at St. John's College in Annapolis, and the founder and president of the Catherine Project. She is also the author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life.

Many assume that the way we taught history in the 20th century was distorted and benighted—but this does little to help us make sense of history at all. How was history actually taught in the early to mid-20th century? Why is it important to look back? In the latest episode of Right Ideas, Wilfred McClay challenges the tendency of modern people to believe they live in times of ultimate truth. Wilfred M. McClay holds the Victor Davis Hanson Chair in Classical History and Western Civilization at Hillsdale College. He is the author of Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story and The Masterless: Self and Society in Modern America

What is philology? Why are dead languages important? What context from the evolution of language can help us today? John Sailer sits down with Joshua Katz to discuss. Joshua T. Katz is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on higher education, language and culture, the classical tradition, and the humanities broadly defined.

On the latest episode of Right Ideas, Fisher Derderian sits down with host John Sailer to talk about the life, legacy, and lasting thought leadership of Roger Scruton. Fisher Derderian is the Founder and Executive Director of the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation. He holds a B.A. in politics, philosophy, and economics from The King's College, N.Y.C., and a M.A. in philosophy from the University of Buckingham.

David Hume is one of the most important philosophers in history. While many may get an introduction to his work on the rule of law, liberty, and history, it is important to discuss the philosophical presuppositions and preliminaries of how humans engage with the world around them. Dive into the philosophy of David Hume with John Sailer and Aaron Zubia on this episode of Right Ideas. Aaron Alexander Zubia is an Assistant Professor in the Hamilton Center at the University of Florida. Zubia specializes in the moral and political philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment and the American founding, and he is the author of a new book, The Political Thought of David Hume.

Many define liberalism as a sort of truce that allows us to get along politically and remain neutral on certain grounds, such as religion. Is this true, or is there more to it? Has modern liberalism deviated from its original intentions? Is there a postliberal world on the horizon? John Sailer is joined by Patrick Deneen to discuss these questions and more. Deneen is a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame and author of several very influential books, including Why Liberalism Failed and Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future.

Independent scholar and writer Eric Clifford Graf joins host John D. Sailer to discuss why Alexis de Tocqueville's writings remain relevant in today's turbulent, polarized world.

Irving Babbitt (1864-1933) was an American scholar and cultural critic. Founder of the "New Humanism" movement and teacher of such figures as T.S. Eliot, Babbitt has long been regarded as an important influence on American conservatism. Our episode of Right Ideas will explore Babbitt's thought and continued relevance. This episode features Luke Foster, Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Notre Dame University's Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government. Foster received his doctorate from the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought, where he wrote a dissertation entitled "Excellence for the Democratic Age: Liberal Education and the Mixed Regime."

In October of 2022, professor and scholar Jon Askonas penned an article for Compact Magazine titled "Why Conservatism Failed." In it, he explored the challenges facing conservatism in a technological society—among these challenges is the breakdown of tradition. Did technology kill conservatism? Where did conservatism make a wrong turn? Is conservatism able to address the problems it faces in contemporary society?  Host John Sailer sits down with Askonas to discuss these questions and more.

Robert Nisbet (1913–1996) was an American sociologist, conservative thinker, and the author of dozens of books over the course of his long career, including The Quest for Community: A Study in the Ethics of Order and Freedom, The Sociological Tradition, and Conservatism: Dream and Reality. Counted among the great 20th century conservatives, Nisbet's thought was unique and useful to thinkers across the political spectrum. In its obituary of Nisbet, the New York Times noted that "although he was widely hailed as an intellectual mentor of the American right ... the brand of conservatism he espoused was so rarefied and remote from modern political trends that one of his first major works, The Quest for Community, first published in 1953, became something of a cult classic among counterculture radicals." Joining us to discuss is Brad Birzer, Professor of History and Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College; Samuel Goldman, Associate Professor of Political Science at George Washington University and Literary Editor of Modern Age; and Luke C. Sheahan, Assistant Professor of Political Science as Duquesne University and Editor of the University Bookman. The discussion is moderated by John Sailer, a Research Fellow at the National Association of Scholars.

Christopher Lasch was a historian and social critic, the author of numerous important works, including The Culture of Narcissism, The True and Only Heaven, and The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy. Defying political categories, Lasch's insight has influenced thinkers of all political stripes, and recently his work has seen something of a revival among thinkers on the political right. In this episode, we discuss Lasch and his newfound relevance for conservatives and all other political thinkers. This episode features Blake Smith, Harper Schmidt Fellow at the University of Chicago and a writing fellow at Heterodox Academy; Geoff Shullenberger, Managing Editor at Compact Magazine; and Eric Miller, Associate Professor of History at Geneva College. The discussion is moderated by John Sailer, Research Fellow at the National Association of Scholars.

Carl Trueman joins Right Ideas with John Sailer to discuss how gender theory–once only seen in academia–has permeated into everyday life in the West. Dr. Trueman is a scholar of history and theology, and the author of several books, including The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and Strange New World.

James Burnham (1905–1987) was a philosopher and political theorist, chair of the philosophy department at NYU, and committed Trotskyist who befriended Leon Trotsky himself. Despite his beginning on the political left, Burnham eventually became an influential voice in the American conservative movement, serving as an editor of National Review. His books include The Managerial Revolution and Suicide of the West. Although he was virtually forgotten for many years, Burnham's work has seen something of a revival in some circles today, and his thought remains relevant for conservative and political thinkers of any stripe. In this webinar, we discuss Burnham and his newfound relevance for conservatives today. The episode features Julius Krein, Editor of American Affairs; Daniel McCarthy, Editor of Modern Age; and Aaron Renn, who writes on Substack. The discussion is moderated by John Sailer, Research Fellow at the National Association of Scholars.

"To be conservative ... is to prefer the familiar to the unknown, to prefer the tried to the untried, fact to mystery, the actual to the possible, the limited to the unbounded, the near to the distant, the sufficient to the superabundant, the convenient to the perfect, present laughter to utopian bliss." So wrote Michael Oakeshott in his 1956 essay "On Being Conservative." Michael Oakeshott (1911–1990) was an English philosopher and political theorist, whose long career as a scholar helped define a distinctive vision of conservative thought. This "Right Ideas" webinar features a discussion between Baylor professor of political science Elizabeth Corey and NAS fellow John Sailer on the work and relevance of this unique scholar.

Dr. Darel Paul joins Right Ideas host John Sailer to discuss the ideological roots of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), its implications for politics and education, and why it should matter to conservatives today. Dr. Paul is a Professor of Political Science at Williams College and a scholar of contemporary elite ideology.