How To Talk to a Tyrant
Why Mark Carney knew what an ancient philosopher did not.
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Persuasion.
Essays and commentary on liberalism, politics, and public culture.
Recent essays
30 of 119Without This Concept, Liberalism Is Nothing
What Thomas Jefferson knew.
Jacob Weisberg on the Contagion of Cowardice
Yascha Mounk and Jacob Weisberg examine why so many powerful people and institutions capitulated to Trump the second time around.
Swarms of AI Committing Crime For Money
It’s more likely than you think.
Admiral William J. Fallon on Decisions, Discord & Diplomacy
Bookstack at Persuasion is delivered to you every other Sunday at 6am EST.
Judith Dada on the Rise of the AfD
Yascha Mounk and Judith Dada also discuss why the tech sector is so behind in Europe—and how the continent can become dynamic again.
When Conservative Social Policies Backfire
The case of Poland.
This Week At Persuasion
Sarah Longwell on The Good Fight! Plus, an excerpt from Francis Fukuyama’s new memoir.
9/11 Changed Our Politics
A quarter of a century later, we’re still living with the populist furies unleashed by the tragedy.
Think Twice About Age Verification
A trendy idea is lethal to free speech.
If Most Professors Have the Same Politics, That's Bad for Democracy
Why universities need ideological diversity.
The Beginning of the End of History
The story of an essay.
Sarah Longwell on How Democrats Can Defeat Trump
Yascha Mounk and Sarah Longwell discuss why the pro-democracy coalition keeps losing the narrative war—and how it can fight back.
Jared Diamond on Whether Leaders Make History
Yascha Mounk and Jared Diamond discuss the age-old question of structure versus agency—and the Great Man theory of history.
This Week At Persuasion
We’re back, baby! Plus, an event with Francis Fukuyama and Yascha Mounk in London on Sunday!
Don’t Celebrate Lindsay Clancy
A mother killing her children is heinous. Compassion for postpartum depression doesn't change that.
Why America Is Losing the New Cold War
We must stop repeating the same mistakes.
I Taught a Short Story. My College Fired Me For It.
Academic censorship is very real.
Join Frank and Yascha in London on Sunday!
Don’t miss your chance to hear Francis Fukuyama discuss his new memoir.
What I Learned on the Open Road
America’s strength is its plurality.
Washington Learns the Wrong Lessons from Beijing
The state can't just prop up the companies it wants to succeed.
Liberalism is a Habit Not a Principle
A 2,000-year old tradition is rooted in a communal ethos.
Bob Wright on the Future of Artificial Intelligence
Bob Wright is a journalist, author, and podcast host.
Abigail Marsh on Psychopaths (Rerun)
Yascha Mounk and Abigail Marsh discuss how to recognize psychopathy—and what to do when you meet a psychopath.
What Our Heroes Tell Us About America
Our shared memories expose who we really are as a nation.
The Eras of Francis Fukuyama: Building Things
Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama discuss his lifelong hobbies—from building furniture to robotics—and why they might save us in the age of big tech.
The Eras of Francis Fukuyama: How States Form
Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama delve into 9/11, the hubris of humanitarian intervention, and the letter he regretted signing.
This Week at Persuasion
Persuasion goes on vacation for two weeks! In the meantime, enjoy our podcast series with Francis Fukuyama.
What Locke Knew About Elites
How liberals learned to stop worrying and love the establishment.
On Executive Authority
Francis Fukuyama explores how President Trump has tried to expand executive authority, the impact of his actions on how America will be governed in the future, and the choice facing the next U.S.