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The Reason Roundtable
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Every Monday, the libertarian editors of the magazine of “Free Minds and Free Markets”—Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Peter Suderman—discuss and debate the week’s biggest stories and what fresh hell awaits us all.
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The Democrats Have a Socialism Problem
1w ago01:06:22Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) growing influence reflects a serious governing vision or a political movement driven more by symbolism than workable policy. They discuss the DSA's platform, the future of Medicare for All, and what the rise of democratic socialism could mean for the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms. They also examine President Donald Trump's decision to hit pause on military action against Iran, discuss former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan's return to politics, and make the case for deregulating peptides. Finally, they answer a listener question about what The Odyssey says about liberalism. 0:00—Do Democrats have a socialism problem? 12:53—The DSA's policy agenda 25:31—Trump pauses Iran strikes 32:10—Listener question on The Odyssey 43:56—Deregulating peptides 50:22—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Zohran Mamdani Tells Jon Stewart Socialism Is Just Having a Library," by Robby Soave "For Thousands of New York City Apartment Buildings, the Math Doesn't Math," by Christian Britschgi "The DSA, MAGA, and the New Policy Nihilism," by Peter Suderman "Nobody Likes Red Tape, Not Even Mamdani," by Meagan O'Rourke "Mamdani's Zombie Apartment Nightmare," by Christian Britschgi "Waltz: Interceptor Shortage Is Biden's Fault, Fake News, and Illegal To Discuss," by Matthew Petti "Pentagon Death Numbers," by Liz Wolfe "Trump Can't Just Pretend Iran War Casualties Don't Count," Joe Lancaster "Trump's Newest Tariffs Are Likely Illegal Too," by Eric Boehm "Tariff Man," by Peter Suderman "Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch "The Energy Department Admits the OMB Canceled Grants 'Solely' To Punish Trump's Political Opponents," by Jacob Sullum The post The Democrats Have a Socialism Problem appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Is the War in Iran Spiraling Out of Control?
2w ago01:10:02Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the escalating war with Iran and whether President Donald Trump has any way to bring the conflict under control. The panel examines the deaths of American service members, rising gas prices, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the lack of a clear objective for a war that has continued despite repeated attempts at ceasefires. Next, the editors discuss Trump's new tariffs on Brazil and the increasingly incoherent use of trade policy to pursue unrelated political goals. They then examine Trump's primetime address on election security and whether his efforts to change election rules ahead of the midterms should be taken seriously. The panel also considers the growing popularity of democratic socialism, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political appeal, and why voters who support free markets may still embrace socialist politicians. Finally, a listener asks whether fears about artificial intelligence amount to a moral panic. 0:00—Iran war intensifies 12:53—Brazil tariffs and trade war escalation 27:56—Trump's primetime address 38:34—Listener question on AI moral panic 47:44—Mamdani's rising popularity 55:08—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "The Iran War Is Back, Sort Of," by Matthew Petti "As U.S. Starts 'New' Iran War, Lawmakers Want Answers About Deadly Elementary School Strike," by Meagan O'Rourke "Meet the New War," by Liz Wolfe "America Has a Huge Trade Surplus With Brazil. Trump Just Put 25% Tariffs on Brazilian Goods Anyway," by Eric Boehm "Trump's Attacks on Free Trade Have Actually Made It More Popular With Voters," by John Mueller "The Most Corrupt Presidency in American History, by the Numbers," by Matt Welch "Election Vulnerability," by Liz Wolfe "Trump Threatens To Revoke ABC and NBC Licenses for Not Broadcasting His Election Speech," by Joe Lancaster "Election interference by foreigners: An assessment," by John Mueller "AI Is the Democratic Party's Next Villain," by Eugene Volokh "Labor Unions Hate Robots—and It's Stopping Democrats From Delivering on Affordability," by Peter Suderman "The Age of Stupid—and Self-Serving—AI Regulation Is Here!" by Nick Gillespie "Is AI Really Taking All the Jobs? Anthropic Co-Founder Jack Clark Reveals the Data," by Nick Gillespie "Working Class Hero," by Liz Wolfe "The 'Free Market' is More Popular than 'Capitalism,'" by Ilya Somin The post Is the War in Iran Spiraling Out of Control? appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Did Lindsey Graham Push Trump Toward War?
3w ago01:00:08Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.) and his political legacy as one of Washington's most persistent advocates for an interventionist foreign policy. The panel examines Graham's evolution from John McCain ally and Trump critic to one of the president's most loyal supporters, his role in pushing Trump toward a more hawkish foreign policy, and what his career reveals about the transformation of the Republican Party. Next, the editors check in on Trump's escalating war with Iran and debate whether there is any plausible case that the conflict has left the United States better off. They also discuss the bipartisan housing bill passed by Congress, whether its permitting and regulatory reforms could meaningfully reduce housing costs, and Trump's refusal to sign it. The panel then examines the collapse of Graham Platner's Senate campaign and what it reveals about Democratic candidate recruitment and populist politics. Finally, a listener asks whether the SAVE America Act's voting requirements could inadvertently produce a more informed electorate and create the conditions for a libertarian moment. 0:00—Lindsey Graham's legacy 10:13—New military strikes on Iran 22:55—21st Century ROAD to Housing Act 30:45—Listener question on the SAVE America Act 39:47—Graham Platner ends Senate campaign 50:24—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Last of the Neocon 'Three Amigos': Lindsey Graham Dies Unexpectedly," by Matthew Petti "Sen. Mitch McConnell's Hospitalization Proves Again That Gerontocracy Sucks," by Ronald Bailey "'Scrap It and Start All Over': Ex-Bush and Obama Officials Say the War on Terror's Powers Have Gone Too Far," by Billy Binion "Lindsey Graham Is Outraged About Federal Surveillance Powers That Lindsey Graham Helped Create and Expand," by Eric Boehm "Crisis Phase," by Liz Wolfe "The Sindex: Gas Prices Rose 29% in 2 Months After Trump Went to War With Iran," by Jason Russell "Can the U.S. Defend Itself if Sequestration Cuts Really Happen?" by Nick Gillespie "Will Sequestration Cause the Sky to Fall (Defense Edition)? Not even close," by Nick Gillespie "Housing Villains," by Christian Britschgi "New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units," St. Louis Federal Reserve "The Noncitizen Voting Myth," by Fiona Harrigan "A Trump-Appointed Judge Quashes a Subpoena Aimed at Validating the President's Stolen-Election Fantasy," by Jacob Sullum "Has the GOP Lost Its Mind Over Donald Trump and Election Fraud?" by Nick Gillespie "Graham Platner Dropped Out, but His Shadow Lingers Over Democrats and U.S. Politics," by J.D. Tuccille "Good Riddance to Graham Platner," by Robby Soave "Democrats' Maine Problem," by Liz Wolfe The post Did Lindsey Graham Push Trump Toward War? appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Can You Hate the Government and Still Love America?
4w ago01:13:18Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss America's declining sense of patriotism and whether it's possible to distrust the government while still loving the country. The panel examines why fewer Americans say they are proud to be American, the growing skepticism toward capitalism, and whether there are still reasons for optimism about America's future. Next, the editors discuss why World Cup tourists are embracing the United States, from air conditioning to everyday convenience, and what the tournament says about America's global image. They then examine the Supreme Court's latest gun rights rulings and what they mean for the future of the Second Amendment. The panel also compares America's response to extreme summer heat with Europe's resistance to air conditioning. Finally, a listener asks about "stolen land," private property, and the libertarian perspective on historical injustice. 0:00—Patriotism is on the decline 11:31—World Cup visitors embrace America 28:17—SCOTUS ruling on gun rights 34:46—Listener question on "stolen land" 47:07—Europe's resistance to air conditioning 1:00:11—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Why Are Americans Less Patriotic Than Ever?" by Nick Gillespie "After 250 Years, Are America's Best Days Still Ahead?" by Steven Greenhut "On America's 250th Birthday, Celebrate Liberty," by J.D. Tuccille "Americans Will Never Shut Up or Do As We're Told," by Matt Welch "The World Cup Experience Lives Up to the Hype," by Jason Russell "How the US Has—Mostly—Avoided the Dark Side of the World Cup," by Ilya Somin "Balogun's World Cup Red Card Is Suspended—Justly," by Paul Cassell "Second Amendment Roundup: Cert Granted on Semiautomatic Rifle Bans," by Stephen Halbrook "Europe May Never Be Cool, but It Can Be Air Conditioned," by J.D. Tuccille "Zohran Mamdani Goes Full Commie on Air Conditioning," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi The post Can You Hate the Government and Still Love America? appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Is Socialism Going Mainstream?
Jun 2901:01:20Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and whether socialism is becoming a mainstream force within the Democratic Party. The panel examines what's driving the DSA's recent gains, whether President Donald Trump has accelerated the movement's rise, and what a more openly socialist Democratic Party could mean for American politics. Next, the editors discuss the DSA's policy agenda, including proposals on housing, labor, and public spending. They then examine Trump's strategy toward Iran and debate whether the latest round of military escalation has become a recurring cycle of weekend conflicts followed by uneasy ceasefires. The panel also reflects on America's 250th birthday and what the country's founding ideals still mean in an era of political polarization. Finally, a listener asks how low-budget filmmakers should balance fair pay for crew members with the financial realities of independent production. 0:00—Is this the socialist moment? 15:45—DSA policy analysis 28:55—Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz 31:30—Listener question on films and unions 44:00—America's 250th birthday 50:05—Weekly cultural recommendation Mentioned in the podcast: "Are Socialists More Like Libertarians Than We'd Prefer To Admit?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown "The DSA and the Democrats' Retreat Into Economic Fantasyland," by Peter Suderman "Mamdani Got His Rent Freeze Wish. Don't Expect New York City Housing To Become More Affordable," by Meagan O'Rourke "Democratic Socialism Remains an Elite Phenomenon," by Robby Soave "Darializa Avila Chevalier Will Be This Congress' First Campus Radical," by Robby Soave "Socialists Hijacked My City," by Liz Wolfe "Dire Strait," by Eric Bohem "Adam Schiff Wants Federal Tax Credits for Movie and TV Production," by Joe Lancaster "Film Subsidies Weren't Enough To Keep Marvel in Georgia," by Joe Lancaster "The Former Drug Dealer Whose Shows Make Millions Without Hollywood," by Ben Fritz "Don't Let the Country's Wet Blankets Ruin Independence Day," by J.D. Tuccille "The Gun That Won the Revolution," by David Kopel "Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann "Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch "My Very Long Ride on the MAGA Ferris Wheel," by Billy Binion The post Is Socialism Going Mainstream? appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Why U.K. Socialism Could Soon Be America's Problem
Jun 2201:08:25Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and what it reveals about the United Kingdom's economic stagnation. The panel examines the legacy of Brexit, the rise of the self-described "business-friendly socialist" Andy Burnham, and whether the U.K.'s growing embrace of big government policies offers a warning for the United States. Next, the editors discuss the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in major American cities, including New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. They then examine Trump's negotiations with Iran and debate whether the administration's deal represents a diplomatic success or a strategic retreat. The panel also discusses Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) decision to abandon plans for new migrant detention centers and what it reveals about the future of immigration enforcement. Finally, a listener asks whether Cuba's latest market reforms signal a genuine shift away from socialism or just another false start. 0:00—Starmer resigns 14:05—Democratic Socialists of America ascendant in blue cities 31:29—Iran negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz 39:12—Listener question on Cuba 45:09—ICE to sell off warehouses 55:03—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Resigned. His Replacement Will Likely Be More of the Same," by Reem Ibrahim "England Fans Warned Not To Chant 'Keir Starmer's a Wanker' at World Cup," by Reem Ibrahim "How Worried Should We Be About a Socialist Mayor in D.C.?" by Christian Britschgi "Graham Platner Signals a Problem for Democrats, and the Rest of Us," by J.D. Tuccille "Compromise With Iran Isn't 'Surrender,'" by Matthew Petti "Bibi Tearing Up the Deal," by Liz Wolfe "ICE Largely Abandons Plan To Turn Warehouses Into Migrant Detention Facilities," by Joe Lancaster "ICE Says It's Moved Detainees Out of 'Alligator Alcatraz' For Hurricane Season," by C.J. Ciaramella The post Why U.K. Socialism Could Soon Be America's Problem appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires
Jun 1501:11:53Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch, to discuss Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire and whether that milestone represents a triumph of capitalism or a warning sign about inequality. The panel examines the political backlash to extreme wealth, the role government subsidies played in Musk's rise, and whether Americans should be more concerned about how fortunes are made than how large they become. Next, the editors discuss the Supreme Court's biggest pending decisions, including cases involving birthright citizenship and the Federal Reserve. They also debate Democratic proposals to expand the Supreme Court and what those efforts could mean for the judiciary's future. The panel then examines the economic fallout from the Iran war, including rising inflation and energy prices. Finally, a listener asks whether the free market is responsible for the growing "enshittification" of everyday life, from movie theaters to fast-food restaurants. 0:00—Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire 17:50—The Supreme Court's pending decisions 31:33—Will Democrats pack the Supreme Court? 38:41—Listener question on free market and quality decline 48:57—Iran ceasefire agreement and economic impact 53:37—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Elon Musk Becomes the World's First Trillionaire. Is That Such a Bad Thing?" by Joe Lancaster "The Iran War Is Over, For Now," by Matthew Petti "The White House UFC Fight Is the Perfect Event for the Present, Not the Past," by Billy Binion "Counting Down the Supreme Court Term," by Sarah Isgur and David French "UFC Stages Successful White House Fight Night—if Not for Obama Insult," by Sean Gregory "Soccer Participation in the U.S. Is Surging Before the 2026 World Cup," by Sports and Fitness Industry Association "Soccer Passes Baseball in Race to Be America's Favorite Sport," by Ben Steiner The post Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Do Democrats Still Have a Big-City Crime Problem?
Jun 801:04:06Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe to discuss New York City's falling crime rates and whether Democrats have really solved their big-city crime problem. The panel looks at the recent Penn Station stabbings, subway disorder, fare evasion, and why many New Yorkers still feel uneasy even as murders and shootings decline. Next, the editors discuss California's recent elections, including Spencer Pratt's bid for Los Angeles mayor, and what these results reveal about voter attitudes toward political leadership and governance. They then examine the political and economic fallout from President Donald Trump's war with Iran. The panel also discusses proposals from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) and Trump to give the federal government a stake in artificial intelligence companies. Finally, a listener asks whether AI-powered surveillance threatens individual liberty. 0:00—New York City's declining murder rate 18:16—California election results 28:22—The economic fallout of the Iran war 38:33—Listener question on AI threats to liberty 49:47—The push to nationalize artificial intelligence 55:45—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "D.C.'s Crime Drop Didn't Require a Military Deployment," by Tosin Akintola "Trump's Middle Eastern Ceasefire: Fiery But Mostly Peaceful," by Matthew Petti "Trump and Bibi Are Fighting," by Liz Wolfe "Bernie Sanders' AI Wealth Fund Bill Shows That He Doesn't Understand AI or Wealth," by Tosin Akintola "Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann "Neil Gorsuch on the Declaration of Independence, Originalism, and Separation of Powers," by Nick Gillespie The post Do Democrats Still Have a Big-City Crime Problem? appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Why Socialism Won't Deliver Government Efficiency
Jun 101:04:47Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). The panel examines Mamdani's claim that bureaucracy is preventing New York from delivering housing, transit, and other services, while questioning whether the commission represents a serious effort at reform or simply a rebranding of the city's existing political priorities. They also consider what Mamdani's embrace of efficiency rhetoric says about the state of the Democratic Party and the growing recognition that government often struggles to deliver on its promises. Next, the editors discuss former Vice President Mike Pence's claim that "Democrats have lost their mind" and examine the Democratic Party's continuing attraction to polarizing candidates, from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to California's unsettled gubernatorial race. The panel then checks in on the endlessly unresolved Iran conflict, before debating a proposal to eliminate property taxes for senior citizens and what it reveals about the growing trend toward narrowly targeted tax breaks. Finally, the editors answer a listener's question about whether late Sen. John McCain's (R–Ariz.) opposition to mixed martial arts helped shape the cultural forces that eventually brought the UFC to the White House lawn. 0:00—The Commission on Government Efficiency 14:04—Mike Pence's comments on Democratic Party 22:21—Graham Platner and Democratic candidate quality 30:19—Iran war update 33:01—Listener question on the White House UFC event 42:30—Should seniors pay property tax? 50:05—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Elon Did DOGE. Now Mamdani Is Trying COGE," by Megan O'Rourke "Mamdani 'Balanced' New York City's Budget—With a Bailout From Albany," by Joe Lancaster "Confidence in Market Principles," by Mike Pence "Mike Pence's Sensible (and Probably Doomed) Plan To Fix the National Debt," by Eric Boehm "Today Mike Pence May Find That All His Temporizing and Obfuscation About the Election Sacrificed His Integrity for Nothing," by Jacob Sullum "Ken Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests," by Jacob Sullum "Don't Get a Nazi Tattoo or Praise Hitler: Advice for New Politicians," by Robby Soave "Bleeding into the Mainstream," by Greg Beato "Government's Ongoing Effort to Shutter Mixed Martial Arts," by Kerry Howley "UFC: One Man's Brutal Spectacle Is Another's Eden," by A. Barton Hinkle "Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens," by Eric Boehm "Baby Boomers Are the Richest Generation in History. Why Do Politicians Keep Spending More on Them?" by Eric Boehm "Abolish Property Taxes?" by Christian Britschgi "Helen Lewis: The Dark Side of Genius," by Nick Gillespie The post Why Socialism Won't Deliver Government Efficiency appeared first on Reason.com.
Transcribe →Does Anyone Know What's Happening in Iran?
May 2601:06:03Tap to summarizeThis week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the ongoing Iran conflict, the unstable ceasefire negotiations, and whether anyone in Washington has a coherent explanation for what the United States is trying to accomplish. The panel examines President Donald Trump's shifting rationale for the war, the growing pressure for regime change, and why so many of the same foreign policy debates from the Iraq era seem to be repeating themselves in real time. They also consider whether America's political class has learned anything from the past two decades of interventionism. Next, the panel turns to Spencer Pratt's surprisingly competitive Los Angeles mayoral campaign and what his rise says about frustration with the city's political establishment. They discuss why media coverage of Pratt increasingly resembles the early anti-Trump backlash, whether one-party political cultures are capable of meaningful reform, and why even critics of Pratt's candidacy acknowledge that Los Angeles governance appears badly broken. The editors then revisit the panic surrounding Project 2025 and ask how much of the agenda actually materialized during Trump's second term. Finally, the panel examines Trump's controversial $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and why even some Republicans see it as an unprecedented abuse of executive power. 0:00—What have we learned from this war with Iran? 9:38—Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo clashes with the Trump administration 14:19—Spencer Pratt and the Los Angeles mayoral race 27:11—Listener question on Project 2025 37:28—The Anti-Weaponization Fund 47:29—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Yes, the Iran War Is a 'War of Choice,' and a Bad One," by Nick Gillespie "Why Does Trump Keep Bringing Up Decades-Old Foreign Grievances?" by Matthew Petti "Drew Carey Goes on Foul-mouthed Rant About Spencer Pratt's LA Mayoral Run: 'F–k This Guy,'" by Antoinette Bueno "The $1.776 Billion in Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Fits a Pattern of Fanciful Figures," by Jacob Sullum "Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Is Built on a Contradiction," by Billy Binion "The DOJ's Flimsy Legal Theories To Support Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,'" by Joe Lancaster The post Does Anyone Know What's Happening in Iran? appeared first on Reason.com.
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