Persuasion | Yascha Mounk | Substack

100 Days of Ressentiment

Donald Trump’s disregard for law—and thirst for revenge—mean worse is to come.

13 hrs ago •

Francis Fukuyama

Bill Maher's Complicated Dinner

There are better ways to bridge our political divide than getting buttered up by Trump.

Apr 29 •

A Victory for Boring White Guy Centrism

Facing an unprecedented threat from the south, Mark Carney convinced Canadians that sometimes a technocrat is the best brawler.

Apr 29 •

An Open Letter to America’s Law Firms

Our profession must organize, not capitulate.

Apr 28 •

Don’t Call it a Vibe Shift—Yet

Trump’s poll numbers are falling, but he has time to turn it around.

Apr 28 •

Michael Baharaeen

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Elon Musk and the Decline of Western Civilization

Jan 13 • Francis Fukuyama

How Art Lost Its Way

Jan 6 • William Deresiewicz

The Deep Roots of the Left’s Deafening Silence on Hamas

Oct 16, 2023 • Yascha Mounk

Eulogy for a Republic

Apr 7 • William A. Finnegan

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Essays and conversations about big ideas from our editor-in-chief.

American Purpose

American Purpose at Persuasion is a continuation of the magazine, media project, and intellectual community chaired by Francis Fukuyama. Includes Larry Diamond's "Diamond on Democracy" column and the "Bookstack" podcast with Richard Aldous.

Frankly Fukuyama

Francis Fukuyama shares a few of the many things on his mind.

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Sarah Longwell on What Voters Really Think

Yascha Mounk and Sarah Longwell also discuss who–if anyone–can save the Democrats.

Apr 26 •

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Ivan Krastev on American Decline

Yascha Mounk and Ivan Krastev also discuss whether Europe has a future.

Apr 23 •

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Larry Summers on Harvard’s Showdown With Trump

Yascha Mounk and Larry Summers also discuss the administration’s tariffs.

Apr 19 •

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Ukraine Holds More Cards Than You Think

Trump wants to throw the country under the bus—but Ukrainians and Europeans don’t have to let him.

Apr 29 •

A timely note from Paul Volcker's memoir.

Apr 25

Don’t Squander the Potential of Abundance

It shouldn’t just be a partisan plan to reform the Democrats. It should be an American plan to reform America.

Apr 22 •

Frank DiStefano

Make Congress Great Again

We need to unite around our Constitution, not be divided by party politics.

Apr 17 •

A Brief History of Culture As Soft Power

What three American maestros knew about promoting freedom during the Cold War.

Apr 15 •

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Apr 25 •

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Sarah Longwell on What Voters Really Think

Yascha Mounk and Sarah Longwell also discuss who–if anyone–can save the Democrats.

Apr 26 •

1:22:41

Europe Really Is Jailing People for Online Speech

From Germany to Britain, citizens are now routinely targeted for what they say.

Apr 24 •

Discourse on Race Has a Conformity Problem

The social sciences have to embrace the counterintuitive.

Apr 24 •

A Good Man in a Strongman’s World

Pope Francis had flaws. His emphasis on compassion wasn’t one of them.

Apr 22 •

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The Next 1,360 Days

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A Victory for Boring White Guy Centrism

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Machiavelli Would Hate Trump

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Our Election Coverage: Join Our Chat Tonight!

The "Deep State" and Its Discontents: A Series By American Purpose

Universities, Liberalism and Democracy: A Series By Persuasion

How I Learned To Stop Criticizing Everything

There are two directions higher education can take. Here’s why I chose pluralism.

Oct 25, 2024 •

The current system is broken. Here’s what truly inclusive institutions would look like.

Sep 26, 2024 •

Rachel Kleinfeld

Reflections on the New Encampment Culture

There were many puzzling features of the recent protests. This coming year, universities must course correct—while protecting the right to dissent.

Sep 20, 2024 •

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Raj Vinnakota on How to Stop Campus from Boiling Over

Yascha Mounk and Raj Vinnakota discuss how to build a healthy campus community (and keep it).

Sep 7, 2024 •

Why Liberalism: A Series By Persuasion

A People’s History of Free Speech

On the Greek origins of the First Amendment, and what we lose when we lose the inclination to speak truth to power.

Oct 9, 2024 •

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The Enduring Wisdom of America's Founding Documents

A liberal reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Sep 11, 2024 •

William Galston

Equality Is Good, Actually

Contrary to popular critiques, the liberal value of equality doesn’t make you weak or nihilistic.

Aug 13, 2024 •

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Why You Should Feel Good About Liberalism

We need to get better at standing up for the greatest social technology ever devised.

Aug 6, 2024 •

Illiberal Liberalism

Progressives who advocate for illiberal policies aren't Marxists or postmodernists. They turn liberalism's tools against itself.

Jul 30, 2024 •

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