GoodFellows: Viewer Mail—War & Peace, Reading & Writing, Why Babies Are Good, and Thanksgiving Memories

Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Bill Whalen
Panelists: Sir Niall Ferguson (Historian), John Cochrane (Economist), Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster (Military/National Security)

Episode Overview

In this lively “mailbag” edition, the GoodFellows panel—Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster—answer listener questions from around the world. The conversation ranges from the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the meaning of economic and political freedoms, to how to persuade young people to have children, the (mis)use of terms like fascism and antifa, civil-military relations amid US political turmoil, and the enduring value of trades and reading. The trio share personal stories—grandparenting, Thanksgiving, nicknames—and offer insights into major political, economic, and societal trends.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Ukraine Peace Prospects: Comparing Historical Analogies

[00:12-09:13]

• Question: Is the proposed Trump-Putin agreement on Ukraine akin to Chamberlain-Hitler (Czechoslovakia, 1938) or Stalin-Hitler (Poland, 1939)?

  • Ferguson: "It's not like either... This analogy from the late 1930s is deeply unhelpful here. A compromise peace after years of conflict, with Ukraine inflicting huge losses on the Russians, is a preferable outcome." (01:36)

  • McMaster: The early version of the plan "was throwing Ukraine under the bus," written in Moscow. Credits US negotiators for reframing as an effort to force Russian rejection, but is pessimistic about real peace. (02:59, 04:51)

  • Cochrane: "I think this one makes 1938 look good... Clearly an unserious plan." (03:52)

• Will there be peace in Ukraine in 2026?

  • McMaster: "No. Even if there's a ceasefire, Russia will continue the war through subversion and other means." (04:51)
  • Cochrane: "No... The Ukrainians want their country; Putin can't survive an end to the war." (05:27)
  • Ferguson: Disagrees: "This represents the beginning of the end of the war... The cost to Putin of continuing this war is starting to look dauntingly high." (05:47)
  • McMaster (responding): "There are provisions that aren't negative, but Russia will continue aggression below the threshold of war—depends how you define peace." (09:13)

• On US-European security guarantees:

  • Cochrane: Questions the credibility of guarantees. "If security guarantee with no troops... what possible good is a security guarantee?" (07:57)
  • Ferguson: "NATO membership is not happening. This is a NATO-like guarantee... Best is the enemy of the good here." (08:20)

2. Free Markets and Free Minds: China’s Model

[10:07-12:28]

• Question: Can economic freedom exist without political freedom, as seen in China?
  • Cochrane: "In the long run, you cannot be prosperous without freedom, both political and economic." (10:23)
  • Ferguson: "One-party rule, no property rights, no accountability... will fail. The way it fails we can already begin to discern." (10:58)
  • McMaster: Echoes the "demographic time bomb" due to one-child policy. (12:07)
  • Cochrane: Warns the US not to lose freedoms: "If we start losing our political and economic freedoms, we will also stagnate." (12:16)

3. Persuading the Young to Have Children

[12:28-14:42]

• Question: What message do you give students worried about climate change to encourage parenthood?
  • Ferguson: Announces first grandchild: "This is the best thing you can do in your life. The most fulfilling thing you can do is be a parent..." (12:54)
  • Cochrane: "Read the actual facts. There is plenty to worry about climate but it is not a civilization-ending problem. Go have children and have them young." (13:35)
  • McMaster: "Call for education reform so we're not teaching impending catastrophe and robbing them of the belief they can build a better future." (14:20)

4. Fascism, Antifa, and Historical Memory

[14:42-19:34]

• Question: Is there a danger in losing historical awareness of what fascism and anti-fascism really meant?
  • Ferguson: "It drives me crazy to hear fascism misused... Russia has a fascist regime—no rule of law, camps, military society. That's what fascism looks like." (15:06)
  • McMaster: "Fascism occurs on the far left and the far right... Look at Maduro's regime, for example." (16:14)
  • Cochrane: "Terms are used now in ways completely different from the actual systems in Italy and Germany." (16:38)
  • Ferguson: "Antifa has become a cover for intolerant, illiberal, even violent elements on the left... our job is to remind where these toxic ideologies lead." (17:53)
  • Cochrane: Recalls the courage of true anti-fascists who "put their lives in danger and usually lost them for a very difficult principle." (19:07)

5. Sedition & the US Military’s Role in Politics

[19:34-22:42]

• Question: President's invocation of sedition; protocol for military to follow orders.
  • McMaster: "Deplorable" for lawmakers to suggest officers ignore the president. "You can refuse illegal orders—must refuse illegal orders—but that's only in extreme circumstances... It was irresponsible and ceded the high ground to President Trump, whose reaction encouraged political violence." (19:54; 21:53)
  • Cochrane: Clarifies legality: "A military person is supposed to refuse illegal orders, correct?" (21:48)
  • Ferguson: "Couldn't agree with HR more." (22:44)

6. Are Tanks Obsolete?

[22:47-24:16]

• McMaster: "Hell no, they're not obsolete... The function of a tank is mobile protected firepower—and you always need that. There will be technological evolution." (22:55)

7. Personal Asides: Nicknames and Artistry

[24:16-29:19]

• Nicknames:

  • McMaster: "Heat Round" during Desert Storm, for his eagerness to fire at suspected targets. (24:26)
  • Ferguson: "Papa," the family grandparent nickname. (25:05)
  • Cochrane: "Bravo" (glider call sign); "Blah blah" (from granddaughter). (25:26)

• Artistic Family?

  • Cochrane: Portraits behind him are by wife Sally Fama Cochrane. (28:01)
  • Ferguson: Daughter Freya is an artist/jewelry designer. (28:15)
  • McMaster: Family history of musicians and artists, but not himself. (28:35)

8. The "Ideal" Interest Rate

[25:50-27:49]

• Question: Should government set interest rates or let markets decide?
  • Cochrane: Free-market sensibilities "ought to be offended by the idea that there's a government agency that sets a price" but as long as we use government-provided money, someone must set its value. "Highly unsatisfactory, better ways might exist, but that's where we are." (26:22)

9. Cold War, China, and Superpower Parity

[29:19-34:18]

• Question: Could China achieve military and economic parity? What should the US do?

  • Ferguson: "Parity is something the Chinese are striving for. Quality difference is huge because of the lack of experience of China's armed forces... US must maintain technological edge and keep economic growth." (29:54)

  • Cochrane: US should "let our economy surge... maintain innovative, competitive free market economy" and avoid protectionist temptations. (32:27)

  • McMaster: Defense budget is at historic lows, while China's surging. "We're not acting seriously about it… we lack depth in forces and industrial base." (33:19)

10. Faith, History & Causation

[34:18-36:17]

• Question: Has Ferguson’s faith changed his philosophy of history?
  • Ferguson: "Becoming Christian has aligned my historical practice better with my personal philosophy… morality inevitably enters the historian’s work." (34:40)
  • McMaster: Encourages Catholicism: "We've just got to get you back to GK Chesterton." (35:53)
  • Ferguson: "That is a red line in the Ferguson family." (36:01)
  • Cochrane: Stands as the "remaining atheist," cautions: "Count on human agency." (36:17)

11. Reading & Writing Habits (and Influences)

[37:03-44:31]

• Q1: Do you have a disciplined reading schedule; how do you choose?

  • Ferguson: Reads every night, keeps a book pile and sets targets. "Key to sanity and civilization is daily reading." Most influential: War and Peace (37:03)
  • McMaster: Used to be more disciplined; now reads in bursts and while writing. Recommends "synthetic works of history" and gives advice on "breaking a book" for essential ideas. (38:30)
  • Cochrane: "My reading is unbelievably undisciplined… I pick up whatever's around… most influential books are what you encounter young." (40:19) Picks: Hayek’s Road to Serfdom, Orwell’s 1984, Russell’s Why I Am Not a Christian.

• Q2: How long to write a 1,000-word op-ed?

  • McMaster: "I wish I could write like Neil… I have to wrestle with it." (42:16)
  • Ferguson: "Key is research and thinking… writing itself quick, if planned." (42:45)
  • Cochrane: Needs to write to clarify thinking; good structure makes it quick, otherwise it can take forever. (43:46)

12. Brexit: Have Ferguson’s Views Changed?

[44:31-48:48]

• Ferguson: "I've not flip-flopped. I was against Brexit—warned it would hurt the UK economy and doubted the state would take advantage. After losing the referendum, I didn't relitigate." Cites research showing economic costs predicted have materialized. (44:47)
• Cochrane: "UK hurt itself—could have become 'Singapore on Thames,' but instead imposed more rules." (46:32)
• Ferguson: "There was never the slightest chance Britain would seize that opportunity… Most problems blamed on Brussels were of Britain's own making." (47:52)

13. American Decline? Pessimism vs. Renewal

[48:48-50:40]

• Q: Seniors worry about decline for grandkids—work ethic, civility, national pride.
  • McMaster: "We are too pessimistic… US has great capacity for self-improvement and renewal." (49:20)
  • Cochrane: "Amid chaos you see potential for reform and self-renewal." (50:23)

14. The Value of Trades and Technical Skills

[50:40-54:49]

• Q: Have we culturally devalued skilled trades in favor of college?
  • Cochrane: "Skill premium led to a college frenzy; now many grads are unhappy, and trades are well-paid… Time for self-correction." (51:12)
  • Ferguson: AI threatens white-collar jobs; "Maybe the woodwork will be the most important subject my son studies." (52:09)
  • McMaster: Highlights Swiss/German apprentice systems and need for a skilled labor force for national security. (53:22)
  • Cochrane: "Bring back shop class! An important skill for everyone." (54:03)
  • McMaster: Suggests military as a great pathway to learn trades. (54:31)

15. COVID Vaccines: An Updated Retrospective

[54:49-55:51]

• Q: Have views on COVID vaccines changed?
  • Ferguson: "I have not [changed]." (55:03)
  • Cochrane: "The first vaccines were a wonder... Forcing people to take them as if they stopped transmission was a blunder." (55:06)
  • McMaster: "I agree with John." (55:51)

16. Thanksgiving Memories

[55:53-End]

• McMaster: Progressive neighborhood Thanksgiving: "We just ate our way through, starting at my grandmother's house…" (56:03)

• Cochrane: Three traditions rooted in his mother's practices: beans on the plate for "lean years," inviting guests, reading the Mayflower Compact. (56:49)

• Ferguson: For immigrants, "Thanksgiving is much more meaningful… It is a kind of austere celebration... Everyone should have Thanksgiving. This is one American tradition worth copying." (57:51, 59:10)

• Final Thoughts:

  • McMaster: "Thankful for all you guys. Happy Thanksgiving." (61:05)
  • Cochrane: "Thank you for listening and your great questions." (61:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ukraine peace plan:
  "This analogy from the late 1930s is deeply unhelpful here… The best is the enemy of the good here." — Sir Niall Ferguson (01:36, 08:20)

• On prosperity and freedom:
  "In the long run, you cannot be prosperous without freedom, both political and economic." — John Cochrane (10:23)

• On parenthood:
  "This is the best thing you can do in your life—the most fulfilling thing you can do is to be a parent." — Sir Niall Ferguson (12:54)

• On fascism’s real meaning:
  "One characteristic feature of fascism is... there isn't a rule of law, there are camps, internment, militarized society. That's what fascism looks like." — Sir Niall Ferguson (15:06)

• On tanks:
  "Try to think of a problem you can't solve with a tank..." — H.R. McMaster (22:55)

• On reading discipline:
  "Key to sanity as well as to civilization is to make sure you're reading a passage every day and setting targets." — Sir Niall Ferguson (37:03)

• On Thanksgiving (as an immigrant):
  "Thanksgiving is much more meaningful if you’ve spent much of your life without it... This is one American tradition that's really worth copying." — Sir Niall Ferguson (57:51, 59:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Ukraine/Peace Analogies & Outlook | 00:12–09:13 | | China: Economic vs. Political Freedom | 10:07–12:28 | | Having Children & Climate Anxiety | 12:28–14:42 | | Antifa, Fascism & Historical Memory | 14:42–19:34 | | Sedition & Civil-Military Relations | 19:34–22:42 | | Are Tanks Obsolete? | 22:47–24:16 | | Nicknames/Artistry | 24:16–29:19 | | Interest Rates/Market vs. Gov Policy | 25:50–27:49 | | China/US Parity & Superpower Competition | 29:19–34:18 | | Faith & Philosophy of History | 34:18–36:17 | | Reading/Writing Habits | 37:03–44:31 | | Brexit: Views and Consequences | 44:31–48:48 | | American Decline & Optimism | 48:48–50:40 | | Trades, Shop Class & Skills Gap | 50:40–54:49 | | COVID Vaccines Revisited | 54:49–55:51 | | Thanksgiving Memories/Traditions | 55:53–End |

Language & Tone

The episode is rich and conversational, mixing intellectual seriousness with warmth, humor, and occasional friendly jabs among panelists. Each panelist draws on professional expertise, familial anecdotes, and personal philosophy, keeping the discussion relatable yet thought-provoking.

For listeners seeking a modern take on big geopolitical, economic, historic, and cultural questions—filtered through the lens of experience, evidence, and lively debate—this episode is a feast of ideas (with a side of Thanksgiving pie).