The Bulwark Podcast: S2 Ep1027 with Jonathan Rauch – Focus on the Corruption

Release Date: April 23, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Jonathan Rauch, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, Contributing Writer at The Atlantic

1. Introduction and Current Political Climate

Tim Miller opens the episode by welcoming Jonathan Rauch, noting his previous appearance on the podcast and introducing him as an expert on governance and societal interactions. The initial discussion centers on the bewildering state of American politics under the current administration.

Tim Miller highlights the unsettling nature of the first three months of the administration, questioning whether Rauch had ever envisioned such a scenario in his analysis of social studies:

"We're seeing every day things that were unimaginable in the America that I grew up in..." (00:43)

Jonathan Rauch echoes this sentiment, expressing astonishment and distress at the rapid changes, labeling the current tactics as a deliberate campaign of cognitive warfare aimed at demoralizing the public to prevent resistance:

"Demoralization is the goal because demoralization is demobilization." (02:01)

2. Patrimonialism vs. Traditional Authoritarianism

Rauch introduces the concept of patrimonialism, distinguishing it from classical authoritarian regimes. He references political scientists Jeffrey Kopstein and Stephen Hanson and their work in The Assault on the State, which Rauch recommends for understanding the shift in governance styles.

Patrimonialism is defined as a system where the government operates as the personal property of the head of state, resembling a family business. Unlike traditional authoritarian regimes that rely heavily on institutional machinery for control, patrimonialism focuses on personal loyalty and ad hoc decision-making.

"Patrimonialism is when the government is run as the personal property and family business of the head of state." (09:13)

Rauch emphasizes that this approach undermines the capacity of the state to function effectively, replacing systematic rule-making with arbitrary decisions:

"He's decided this morning that he wants to raise tariffs. Tomorrow he'll decide to lower tariffs." (11:22)

3. Flaws of Patrimonialism: Incompetence and Corruption

Rauch identifies two inherent flaws in patrimonialist systems: incompetence and corruption.

Incompetence:
Patrimonialism breeds incompetence by replacing qualified officials with loyalists lacking the necessary expertise. This degradation compromises the government's ability to address complex issues effectively. Rauch compares the current administration's approach to that of historic inefficacies, noting:

"Trump is doing the same thing here. It's basically a form of Putinism." (18:14)

Corruption:
Corruption is intrinsic to patrimonialism, as personal interests supplant the public good. Rauch underscores that:

"Patrimonialism is everywhere and always corrupt because it substitutes the good of the leader for the good of the public." (20:18)

He cites historical and international examples where corruption campaigns have successfully dismantled patrimonial regimes, such as the Orange Revolution in Ukraine and Newt Gingrich's campaign against Jim Wright in the U.S.

"This is how Democrats can take down a patrimonial regime: by relentlessly targeting its corruption in messaging." (24:12)

4. Strategies to Combat Patrimonialism

Rauch advocates for a focused approach in combating patrimonialism by highlighting its corruption. He suggests that Democrats and their allies should:

• Foreground Corruption: Make corruption the central theme of their messaging, repeatedly emphasizing it to the public.
• Build a Narrative: Weave corruption into various policy issues, such as economic policies leading to recession, to create a cohesive and compelling story against the administration.
• Target the Middle: Aim to sway undecided voters by portraying the administration as self-serving and corrupt, thereby reducing its appeal among the general populace.

"Senator Murphy is a guy who knows how to do this, someone who's figured this out... corruption needs to be the daily story and the daily theme." (29:41)

Rauch acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic that persistent focus on corruption can erode the administration's support base.

5. The Role of Religion in Society

Transitioning to a broader societal analysis, Tim Miller and Jonathan Rauch delve into the role of religion, particularly Christianity, in American social cohesion. Rauch introduces his new book, "Cross Purpose: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy," positing that the decline of Christianity has significantly contributed to societal fragmentation.

Rauch’s Thesis:

• Decline of Organized Religion: Over the past two decades, America has seen a massive decline in church attendance, leading to increased loneliness, anxiety, and political polarization.
• Religion as Social Glue: Christianity historically provided social connectedness, moral grounding, and a sense of purpose, which secularism has failed to replace effectively.
• Countercultural Role: Christianity offered a counterbalance to materialism and political extremism, fostering virtues that support liberal democracy.

"America is becoming ungovernable in a significant part because Christianity has failed." (36:05)

Tim Miller engages with Rauch’s analysis, questioning whether the erosion of Christianity is the primary driver of current societal issues or if other factors like technology and economic shifts play more substantial roles.

6. Challenges and Critiques of Rauch’s Religious Perspective

Rauch acknowledges the complexities in reviving Christianity’s role in society. He notes that politicized churches and movements, such as the white evangelical church, have distorted Christianity’s foundational principles by aligning too closely with partisan politics, leading to their decline.

"The white evangelical church has been shrinking rapidly because it substituted the gospel of truth for the gospel of power." (43:20)

He argues for a return to the core teachings of Jesus, emphasizing virtues like:

• Not being afraid
• Imitating Jesus
• Forgiveness

These principles aim to restore social cohesion and counteract the divisive nature of contemporary politics.

Rauch also highlights grassroots movements and younger generations showing renewed interest in authentic Christian values, suggesting a potential path forward for the religion to reclaim its societal role.

"There seems to be some green shoots... grassroots, influx of younger people who are actually interested in the gospel." (50:33)

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In closing, Rauch remains cautiously optimistic about the future, believing that the inherent flaws of patrimonialism—incompetence and corruption—pose significant challenges to the current administration. However, by focusing on these weaknesses, there is a pathway to restore effective governance and social cohesion.

On the religious front, Rauch emphasizes the need for Christianity to return to its foundational principles to serve as a stabilizing force in society, thus supporting liberal democracy.

Tim Miller and Jonathan Rauch end the episode on a contemplative note, recognizing the bleakness of current circumstances but identifying potential avenues for positive change through addressing corruption and revitalizing Christian virtues.

Notable Quotes

• Jonathan Rauch on cognitive warfare:

  "Demoralization is the goal because demoralization is demobilization." (02:01)

• Rauch defining patrimonialism:

  "Patrimonialism is when the government is run as the personal property and family business of the head of state." (09:13)

• Rauch on corruption as an Achilles heel:

  "Achilles heel number two... corruption by definition." (23:07)

• Rauch on the necessity of highlighting corruption:

  "Corruption can drive a wedge... 'this guy isn't for you. This guy's for himself.'" (30:24)

• Rauch on the role of Christianity:

  "America is becoming ungovernable in a significant part because Christianity has failed." (36:05)

• Rauch on the need for authentic Christian values:

  "There are some green shoots and it's very early days... the message of Jesus... is at its most appealing when it's least like politics." (50:33)

Final Notes

This episode provides a deep dive into the structural weaknesses of the current American political system under a patrimonial approach, emphasizing the roles of incompetence and corruption. Additionally, it explores the intertwined relationship between religion and societal stability, advocating for a return to authentic Christian virtues as a means to restore social cohesion and support liberal democracy.

Listeners gain valuable insights into how historical and contemporary strategies for confronting patrimonialism can be applied today, alongside a thoughtful examination of the shifting role of religion in American life.