644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good?

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner interviews Patrick Deneen, a political theorist, about his book "Why Liberalism Failed" and his views on the current political climate in the United States. Deneen discusses the tension between democracy and oligarchy, proposing a mixed constitution or "aristopopulism" to bridge the divide between the elite and the common people. They explore policy ideas such as expanding the House of Representatives, decentralizing government departments, and implementing a national service requirement. Deneen also addresses the role of universities, the influence of political figures, and the challenges of maintaining intellectual honesty in a polarized media landscape, while also reflecting on the Trump administration's approach to cultural institutions and the future of American politics.