Shutdown Politics, Filibuster Fights, and the “Abundance Bros”
Release Date: 10/02/2025
Who We Are: City Journal
City Journal Audio
City Journal Editor Brian Anderson and Rafael Mangual explore the magazine’s history, its influence on urban policy, and the challenges associated with technological change. They discuss City Journal’s distinctive approach to policy journalism and the importance of style and accessibility in conservative media.
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Who We Are: Economics
City Journal Audio
Allison Schrager and Rafael Mangual discuss the nuances of conservative economics, the importance of free markets, the role of incentives, and the impact of regulation. They explore the philosophical underpinnings of economic thought, the significance of risk tolerance, and the influential thinkers who contributed to modern economic understanding.
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Who We Are: Homelessness Crisis
City Journal Audio
Stephen Eide and Rafael Mangual sit down for a hard-hitting conversation on homelessness, mental illness, and the policies shaping America’s cities. The discussion explores the breakdown of family support systems, the limits of government intervention, and the thorny questions surrounding institutionalization and public safety. Eide argues for a more realistic, balanced approach—one that confronts the realities of serious mental illness while pushing for practical, effective reforms.
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A Novel of New York City’s Migrant Crisis
City Journal Audio
Lionel Shriver discusses her new novel, A Better Life, with Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Douglas Murray.
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Who We Are: On Western Values
City Journal Audio
Author and cultural critic Douglas Murray joins Rafael Mangual to talk about the growing challenges facing the West. They discuss the rise of anti-Semitism, the failures of socialism, and the erosion of free speech, especially in the U.K. Murray makes a clear case for defending Western values with courage, clarity, and action.
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Who We Are: Gender Ideology
City Journal Audio
Leor Sapir and Rafael Mangual dive into one of the most polarizing issues of our time: gender ideology. They explore how gender discourse evolved over the past decade, including cultural and policy shifts during the Obama administration, and how these developments reshaped institutions, media narratives, and social norms. A major focus of their conversation is the medical treatment of gender dysphoria in youth.
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The Rich Are Good for Democracy
City Journal Audio
John O. McGinnis joins Brian Anderson to discuss his forthcoming book, Why Democracy Needs the Rich: The Hidden Benefits of Wealth in a Free Society.
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Who We Are: On Civil Terrorism
City Journal Audio
Manhattan Institute Legal Policy Fellow Tal Fortgang and Rafael Mangual explore the differences between civil terrorism and civil disobedience. Fortgang explains how some organizations exploit legal loopholes to avoid accountability for lawless behavior, and why current laws often fail to address coordinated disruption and destruction.
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Who We Are: Psychology, Behavior, and Society
City Journal Audio
Rob Henderson, Theodore Dalrymple, and Rafael Mangual examine the real drivers of antisocial behavior and crime—and the growing disconnect between policymakers and the communities most affected by violence. They explore how elite “luxury beliefs” shape public narratives around criminality, often minimizing harm while insulating decision-makers from the consequences of their ideas.
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Who We Are: Race and Meritocracy
City Journal Audio
Jason L. Riley, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and one of the most incisive voices in today’s debates over race and public policy, joins Rafael Mangual to discuss how the Left frames racial disparities to advance a victimhood mentality, rather than solutions rooted in responsibility, opportunity, and community empowerment.
info_outlineIs the Democratic Party being pulled too far left—or is moderation making a comeback? Jesse Arm, Charles Fain Lehman, and Rafael Mangual discuss the recent government shutdown and the role of the filibuster in shaping legislative outcomes. They analyze tensions in the Democratic Party between radical grassroots movements and centrist pragmatism. And they examine the rise of the “abundance bros” and what this techno-optimist movement says about our current politics.