Persuasion | Yascha Mounk | Substack

The Hyper-Presidency

Taking stock of Trump’s radical experiment with executive power.

12 hrs ago •

Reflections on the Jordan Peterson Generation

His rise, his meltdown, his fall.

Jul 1 •

The Real Lesson of the Iran-Israel War

When things get tough, authoritarian states leave each other in the lurch.

Jun 30 •

I’m an Artist, and I’m Not Threatened by AI

Artificial intelligence can't compete with human creativity.

Jun 26 •

Why Salman Rushdie Is Unable to Live or Die in Peace

My quiet revenge on the mediocrities who would silence genius.

Jun 25 •

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Elon Musk and the Decline of Western Civilization

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A Letter From An Iranian

Jun 21

How Art Lost Its Way

Jan 6 • William Deresiewicz

Why Woke Failed

Jun 5 • Michael Shermer

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Frankly Fukuyama

Newsletters

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.

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Luke Tryl on Why Britain Is Miserable

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Irshad Manji on Understanding Each Other in Turbulent Times

Yascha Mounk and Irshad Manji also discuss how to have dialogue with ideological opponents.

Jun 28 •

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Francis Fukuyama on War in the Middle East

Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama also discuss whether the U.S. strikes will give Trump a popularity boost.

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How to Reclaim Social Media from Big Tech

“Middleware” is an idea whose time has come.

Jul 1 •

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From Georgian Dream to Georgian Nightmare

As the country slides into full authoritarianism, it is time for the international community to act.

Jun 30 •

The Iran-Israel War Was Short. The Next One Will Not Be

Long-lasting peace will require political and ideological reform in Iran.

Jun 27 •

There's Nothing "Enlightened" About Trump's Governing Style

What we can learn from studying other authoritarian leaders.

Jun 24 •

A Taxonomy of the New Right

Postliberal ideology is a multi-headed hydra. To defeat it, we must first understand it.

Jun 19 •

Bookstack

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Episode 166: Bryan Burrough on How Texas Gunfighters Made the West Wild

Bookstack at Persuasion is delivered to you every other Sunday at 6am EST.

Jun 22

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Episode 165: Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher on U.S. Industrial Policy

Bookstack at Persuasion is delivered to you every other Sunday at 6am EST.

Jun 8

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Episode 164: Edward Luce on the Life of Zbig, America's Great Power Prophet

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May 18

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Episode 163: Matthew C. Klein on Why Trade Wars are Class Wars

Bookstack at Persuasion is delivered to you every other Sunday at 6am EST.

May 4 •

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Recent posts

Francis Fukuyama on War in the Middle East

Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama also discuss whether the U.S. strikes will give Trump a popularity boost.

Jun 25 •

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The Everyday Abyss

A report from Ukraine in the age of drone warfare.

Jun 24

Blasphemy Laws by a Different Name

The UK’s hate speech legislation stifles religious dissent.

Jun 23 •

A Letter From An Iranian

My family is in Tehran. Here's what this war means to me.

Jun 21

A Letter From An Israeli Shelter

On the horrors of the Iranian regime and the complexities of preemptive war.

Jun 20 •

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A message to the architects of Schedule Policy/Career.

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The Slow Death of Effective Government

With the apparent demise of Humphrey’s Executor, what comes next for the civil service?

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How to Really Fix Government

DOGE is not the way to go.

May 12 •

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Unleash the Sheep State

Civil service reform should empower the flock, not just cull the herd.

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Universities, Liberalism and Democracy: A Series By Persuasion

A Pedagogy of the Empowered

The left-wing cancellations of yesteryear teach us how to respond to the right-wing censorship of today.

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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 •

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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.

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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.

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The Enduring Wisdom of America's Founding Documents

A liberal reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Sep 11, 2024 •

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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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