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The second Trump administration has spurred a wave of domestic industrial investment and a recognition that making things in America matters. But what does that look like from the factory floor?Chris Power, founder and CEO of Hadrian, joins Oren to discuss how his company is helping lead reindustrialization efforts here in the United States. He explains the revolutionary technologies Hadrian uses to compete at scale with foreign firms and highlights just how different the manufacturing jobs of today are compared to what many think of as “factory work.” Finally, he and Oren talk through ways policymakers can support the domestic industrial startups we need to return America to its place as the world's leading technological and industrial power.Further reading:The Techno-Industrial Policy Playbook, published this week by American Compass, FAI, IFP, and NAIANot By Tariff Alone by Chris Griswold What An Enduring Industrial Policy Requires by Charles Yang Tear Down this Paper Wall by Christopher Koopman and Josh T. Smith
The entire universe has told you why they’re bad. Mark DiPlacido takes the other side. Mark DiPlacido of American Compass and the Federalist Society Mark DiPlacido on Twitter: @MarkADiPlacido Mark DiPlacido articles on Commonplace
The entire universe has told you why they’re bad. Mark DiPlacido takes the other side. Mark DiPlacido of American Compass and the Federalist Society Mark DiPlacido on Twitter: @MarkADiPlacido Mark DiPlacido articles on Commonplace
US President Donald Trump has garnered a lot of criticism since he enacted his trade war. But there are people who still defend the tariffs, including Oren Cass, chief economist of the conservative thinktank American Compass. Cass is a contributor to the FT's opinion pages, and he joins the FT's US national editor and columnist Edward Luce to discuss why some conservatives still find value in tariffs. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump has no idea what he has unleashedEurope must choose between America and ChinaSign up for the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova. Topher Forhecz is the FT's executive producer. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michael Steele speaks with Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, about who the "New Conservative" is, the case for tariffs, and how to build a trading system that actually works for Americans. Plus, what made Michael join the Republican Party nearly 50 years ago and the stereotypes and misconceptions about young Black men joining MAGA. Check out Oren Cass' new book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Conservatives-Restoring-Commitment-Community/dp/B0DXD6CB8M If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Oren Cass @oren_cass Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele Follow the podcast @steele_podcast Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline
How are Trump’s approval ratings after his first 100 days? In short, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. // GUEST: Mike Davis, President of the Article III project. // Quick Hit: Oren Cass, economist at American Compass gives his take on the tariffs and the trade war with China.
President Trump has made a bold gamble with a fundamental change in economic policy by launching tough tariffs. He argues they will revitalize manufacturing, reduce the national debt and grow the economy. Amna Nawaz has differing perspectives on Trump's claims from Oren Cass of the conservative think tank American Compass and economist Jason Furman, who served as an adviser under President Obama. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The Trump administration's tariff moves are turning US trade policy on its head — and fueling concerns about the US economic outlook. So will tariffs send the US into a recession? And, if so, what might that recession look like? Economist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, Goldman Sachs Research's Jan Hatzius, and American Compass' Oren Cass speak with Goldman Sachs Research's Allison Nathan about the implications of the radical shifts in tariff policies for the US economy. This episode explores the latest Top of Mind report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Sean Noble of Light Beer Dark Money and Kiley Kipper of Kiley's Corner are joined by two influential voices in their fields. Mackenzie Price, education innovator and founder of Alpha Schools, shares how her revolutionary two-hour school model leverages AI to deliver personalized, mastery-based learning while giving students back time to build life skills, explore creativity, and pursue purpose. Then, economist and American Compass founder Oren Cass joins to unpack Trump's tariffs, how China's authoritarian economic practices undermine true free market trade, and why rebuilding America's manufacturing base is essential to our future prosperity and national security. And in Kiley's Corner, Kiley shares the heartbreaking story of Eli Heacock, a 16-year-old who took his life after being targeted by an online predator using AI-generated sextortion, an urgent reminder of the dangers facing teens online in the digital age. Stream now!www.breakingbattlegrounds.voteTwitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_BattleFacebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegroundsInstagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegroundsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegroundsTruth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegroundsShow sponsors:Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code ‘Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.comDot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.voteAbout our guest:A Stanford graduate in Psychology, MacKenzie Price always knew that education needed revolution, but when her daughters told her that school was boring, she knew that the time for a change was now.And that is why she created the 2 Hour Learning model, empowering students to crush core academics in just two hours a day and giving them the gift of four hours to pursue their passions while mastering life skills.Starting with the first Alpha School, MacKenzie's vision became a reality. Students score in the top 1-2% nationally, and over 90% said they love going to school. This success led to the expansion of Alpha Schools across multiple cities – Miami, Brownsville, and counting. Her model is also used at Alpha High, Sports Academy, NextGen Academy, and GT School, changing the educational landscape for hundreds of students.MacKenzie also hosts the Future of Education podcast and YouTube channel, discussing AI's role in education and how students can align their passions with their skills for personal and academic growth, amongst other topics. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, she continues to drive discussions on innovative education.MacKenzie lives in Austin, Texas with her family and aims to make 2 Hour Learning a global phenomenon. Follow her on X @mackenzieprice.-Oren Cass is the founder and chief economist of American Compass and editor of the forthcoming The New Conservatives: Restoring America's Commitment to Family, Community, and Industry (June 3, 2025). He is a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times. His 2018 book, The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America has been called “absolutely brilliant” by New York Times columnist David Brooks and “A brilliant book. And among the most important I've ever read” by Vice President JD Vance.From 2005 to 2015, Oren worked as a management consultant in Bain & Company's Boston and Delhi offices. During this period, he also earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was elected vice president and treasurer of the Harvard Law Review and oversaw the journal's budget and operations. While still in law school, Oren also became Domestic Policy Director for Governor Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, editing and producing the campaign's “jobs book” and developing its domestic policy strategy, proposals, and research. He joined the Manhattan Institute as a senior fellow in 2015 and became a prolific scholar, publishing more than 15 reports for MI and editing its popular “Issues 2016” and “Issues 2020” series, testifying before seven congressional committees and speaking on dozens of college campuses. He founded American Compass at the start of 2020. Follow him on X @oren_cass. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe
If you've spent time on social media or watched cable news recently, you've almost certainly encountered some of globalization's staunchest defenders, trotting out their favorite arguments against tariffs.On today's episode, Mark DiPlacido, American Compass policy advisor, joins Oren to break down the worst of these arguments and share some handy responses for your next important meeting, debate in the office break room, or cocktail party. After spending the past couple weeks on the media circuit, Mark and Oren run through some of their favorites: Should you need a PhD to discuss economics? Does the trade deficit really not matter? These are only the tip of the bad-take iceberg.For more, check out our tariffs symposium, "After Liberation Day."
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs have roiled markets around the world and triggered a full-blown trade war with China. Even after he suspended his so-called reciprocal tariffs, the measures he kept in place are still more dramatic than anything the world has seen in decades. Most economists believe free trade—not tariffs—is the best way to increase global prosperity. But Trump says other countries are taking advantage of the United States. On this episode of Counterpoint, we'll hear from two leading economists who feel very differently about tariffs. Oren Cass, the founder of American Compass, generally supports them, while Kimberly Clausing, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, believes the Trump tariff policy is a disaster for the United States. Their debate was moderated by Foreign Policy's editor-in-chief, Ravi Agrawal, and originally aired on FP Live. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. It is hosted by FP deputy editor Sasha Polakow-Suransky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Brad Littlejohn of American Compass and author of "Called to Freedom" addresses the problems with the current way of thinking about freedom as having multiple choices. What if those choices are harmful, or even addictive? Is that freedom? (Littlejohn will be speaking on Tue, April 15 at the University of Northwestern.) Rick Lawrence, author of "Editing Jesus," calls us to not just go throught the rhythms of Holy Week, but to laser-focus in on Jesus, His words, and His actions. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump's unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss and debate the Trump administration's drastic trade war.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Two leading economists debate the potential trade-offs of the Trump administration's tariffs that are now roiling markets. Oren Cass, the founder of American Compass, joins Kimberly Clausing, a professor at UCLA, to discuss what this all means for the United States and the global economy. We want to hear from you! Help us shape the future of FP Live by sharing your thoughts on the show by clicking here. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Wendy Cutler: How Countries Should Respond to Trump's Tariffs Bob Davis: Trump Has the Whole Global Trade System in His Sights Michael Hirsh: Tariffs Can Actually Work—if Only Trump Understood How Lili Pike: Trump Threatens China With New 50 Percent Tariffs Joseph Rachman: Trump's Tariffs Crush the ASEAN Economic Model Transcript: The Case for Trump's Tariffs Edward Alden: Trump's Wanton Tariffs Will Shatter the World Economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump Shifts Trade and America's Future (guest Mark DiPlacido)While the establishment goes nuts, President Trump's decision on tariffs marks the most fundamental turning point in decades--one that promises to set American on the path of long-term revival. So many "experts" have no idea what is going on and what it means. Former Trump administration trade official Mark DiPlacido of American Compass joins co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon to explain why Trump made his decision and what means for the economy and national power, including which sectors will prosper.00:00 America Wakes Up on Trade02:00 Trump and the Core of the Issue 07:00 Americans Losing New Foreign Asset Division09:50 Chinese Acquiring Assets 10:20 Domestic Freight Set to Pick Up14:20 Middle Class Wages17:40 Dems and Some Republicans Deranged 24:25 Woke Dems Divorcing Working Class33:50 Failures of Past Trade Deals38:10 China Doesn't Use Tariffs to Screw USA40:05 “Laces” and Transshipping to Avoid Tariffs
Can tariffs be an effective economic tool? Former U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai says yes, when used strategically. Tai explains what President Trump's sweeping new tariffs mean for American consumers. And, Mark DiPlacido, a policy adviser at the conservative think tank American Compass, makes the case for why Trump's new tariffs make sense. Then, mayors in U.S. cities are standing with Canadian mayors against Trump's tariffs. Daniel Rickenmann, Republican mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, and Mark Sutcliffe, mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, break down what this means for their economies.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
A popular refrain from both the left and the right in American society is one concerning the importance of liberty for the flourishment of their respective communities. But what does true freedom look like and, perhaps more importantly, how does one come to attain it and then keep it in a world like our own. This week, I am joined by Brad Littlejohn to talk about his new book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. In our conversation, we discuss the journey of writing this book, the nature and meaning of liberty in all of its areas, role of obligation and virtue, the influence of modern technology on freedom, and more. Brad is the Director of Programs and Education at American Compass and president emeritus at Davenant Institute. Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY. The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento.
A.M. Edition for April 1. President Trump says he has settled on a strategy for his ‘Liberation Day' tariffs to be announced on Wednesday. Oren Cass, founder of the conservative think tank American Compass, makes the case for how the new levies can be used to reset the U.S. economy. Plus, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg tries to enlist the White House to fight a European law that could undermine its ad business. And president Trump signs an executive order targeting ticket scalpers and fees. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Brad Littlejohn, director of Programs and Education at American Compass, about Brad's newly published book, Call to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. Christians in the modern West hear a lot about—and talk a lot about—"freedom." The word has taken on so many meanings that Christians often fail to realize how much our contemporary ideals of freedom stray from what freedom has meant in Scripture and the Christian tradition. We need to redeem and recover a properly Christian way of thinking about freedom. – Carl Trueman Today's conversation touches on the Reformation's impact on individual liberty, the tension between authority and conscience, and the contemporary challenges Christians face in understanding freedom. As Protestants, we have to care about freedom because it's central to our theological heritage. – Brad Littlejohn Tune in for an insightful exploration of these critical themes! Thanks to the generosity of B&H Academic, we are pleased to offer three copies of Brad's book, Call to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. Enter here for the opportunity to win one. Show Notes: Call to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License https://bhacademic.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/called-to-freedom-3/#flipbook-sampler/
What does it really mean to be free? Is freedom simply the ability to do whatever you want as long as no one gets hurt? Or is there a deeper, richer understanding of freedom? This week on The Commonwealth Matters, we sit down with Brad Littlejohn, Director of Programs & Education at American Compass, to explore his latest book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. We dive into the true meaning of freedom and what it looks like in both personal faith and society.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email richard@commonwealthpolicy.org.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
As President Trump's trade war heats up, Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, and Mark DiPlacido, policy advisor at American Compass, talk about the pros and cons of tariffs and whether or not the president's current tariff policy could achieve Trump's stated goals.
Modern economics was built on ideas spelled out by Adam Smith in his 18th-century The Wealth of Nations. But while he used the term only once in that economic treatise, Smith is most remembered for “the invisible hand,” a metaphor Oren Cass says has wrongly been associated with the idea that the pursuit of profit is always socially beneficial and that markets are somehow magically guided by that principal. Cass is the founder and chief economist at American Compass. In this podcast, he says the contortion of Smith's idea led to a blind faith in markets, whereas “the invisible hand” was about ensuring the alignment between private profit and the public interest. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3DdWizp Read the article in Finance and Development: IMF.org/FANDD
Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of think-tank American Compass, sits down with Freddy Gray at the ARC conference in London. They react to the announcement by President Trump over the weekend of reciprocal tariffs: the decision by the US to match import duties levied by other countries. What's the strategy behind Trump's decision? And what could the consequences be for American companies and for global trade? They also discuss the broad political consensus behind free trade in the US since the 1990s. Given the 'lived reality' that faced many American investors and companies - for example competing with Chinese Electric Vehicles - was the free trade really working anyway? Produced by Natasha Feroze and Patrick Gibbons.
Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of think-tank American Compass, sits down with Freddy Gray at the ARC conference in London. They react to the announcement by President Trump over the weekend of reciprocal tariffs: the decision by the US to match import duties levied by other countries. What's the strategy behind Trump's decision? And what could the consequences be for American companies and for global trade? They also discuss the broad political consensus behind free trade in the US since the 1990s. Given the 'lived reality' that faced many American investors and companies - for example competing with Chinese Electric Vehicles - was the free trade really working anyway? Produced by Natasha Feroze and Patrick Gibbons.
Last week, President Trump signed a memorandum calling for reciprocal tariffs on countries that charge fees on US exports and called his 25% tariff order on all steel and aluminum imports “the beginning of making America rich again.” But is it? We turn to three brilliant economists for their takes (and disagreements) on the real impact Trumponomics will have on the U.S. economy. Kara leads a spirited and insightful conversation about industrial policy, the efficacy of Trump's tariffs, how worried we should really be about the U.S. 's trade deficit, the odds of an AI bubble and bail out, and, of course, DOGE. Featuring: Oren Cass, the founder and chief economist of American Compass, a conservative think tank, and a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times. Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist who writes a newsletter on Substack, teaches at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and recently retired his New York Times Opinion column after writing it from 2000 to 2025. And Mariana Mazzucato, a professor of economics at University College London, where she is Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose and author of the hugely influential book, The Entrepreneurial State. This episode was recorded on Monday, February 10. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram and TikTok @onwithkaraswisher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On a special, tax-focused episode of the Talkin' (Policy) Shop, chief economist Oren Cass and policy director Chris Griswold join guest host Drew Holden to talk about the brewing fight on Capitol Hill about taxes.The group makes sense of what we learned from the soon-expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the malign legacy of the anti-tax fundamentalism that has animated the Republican Party for decades, and what the American people actually want from the tax code. Finally, they dive into American Compass's new collection of proposals for fiscally responsible conservative tax reform.Further reading:No Tax Cut Is Free, American Compass“The Fringe Cause That Could Derail the Republican Agenda,” by Oren Cass, New York Times
Yascha Mounk and Oren Cass discuss the reasoning behind Trump's economic policy. Oren Cass is the founder and executive director of American Compass and author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Oren Cass discuss the decline of manufacturing in the U.S., whether there is any coherence to Trump's economic policy, and if the Democrats or Republicans are the more natural home for working class voters. This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: podcast@persuasion.community Website: http://www.persuasion.community Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Leonora Barclay Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion Youtube: Yascha Mounk LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Howdy, loyal readers and listeners to the Voice Of GO(r)D podcast.Today I'm bringing you an interview I gave to Grant Martsolf of The Savage CollectiveSubstack back in November, where he peppered me with a few questions about the trucking business in general, and asked me why I think that truckers are able to overcome the odds in starting and maintaining families at higher rates than other blue collar workers.Grant has been working with the Institute for Family Studies over and above his position as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and his project of investigating life in the machine age here on Substack, and you ought to check out his work.Speaking of IFS, they put out a banger of a manifesto last week called A Future for The Family - A New Technology Agenda for the Right which seeks to outline a pro family and pro society approach to this new digital realm we all live in. It's quite worth your time to check out, and signatories include former guest of the show Matthew B Crawford of the Archedelia Substack, and one of my colleagues at American Compass, Jon Askonas.In the intro I mentioned some new writing I have out at Compact -https://www.compactmag.com/article/blame-trudeau-for-trumps-tariffs/and that I've got a book in the works!https://autonomoustruckers.substack.com/p/book-project-announcement-and-a-majorIf you want to chip in for that -https://www.givesendgo.com/EndOfTheRoadAnd I hope to see you all at the MidAmerica Trucking Show in Louisville Kentucky later this spring.https://truckingshow.com/Thanks for listening, and as always, Questions, comments, suggestions, corrections and Hate Mail are welcomed and encouraged - gordilocks@protonmail.comSign up over at my Substack and have this show and all of my writing delivered directly to your inbox -https://autonomoustruckers.substack.com/
Industrial policy has garnered support from both sides of the aisle in recent years. Will tariffs and reshoring efforts bolster U.S. manufacturing or drive up costs and hinder clean energy progress? This week, Joseph and Quill discuss green industrial policy with Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass, and Jane Flegal, Executive Director of the Blue Horizons Foundation and former Senior Director for Industrial Emissions at the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy under President Biden.
On this episode, Ethics and Public Policy Center fellow Patrick T. Brown joins guest host and American Compass managing editor Drew Holden to discuss how COVID's remote-work baptism-by-fire led to a surprising boom in babies born during the pandemic.The two talk through the lessons that companies should take away from the experience in order to support working parents as well as why these companies, and society more broadly, should be expected to help share the burdens placed on new parents. And as President Trump returns to the White House, they take stock of the GOP's realignment on how best to support families.Further reading:"Remote Work Created a Baby Boom. Can We Keep It Up?" by Patrick T. Brown
Happy New Year! I went on the American Compass podcast last month to talk to American Compass chief economist Oren Cass about government efficiency, state capacity, and what Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is likely to tackle.We discuss:* Why is it so hard to fire federal employees?* Off-the-wall ways to save government money* The West Coast meets East Coast dynamic in DOGE* The secret to a successful blue ribbon commissionNotes: This interview was originally published here. When used the phrase “fired for cause,” when I should have said “fired for performance.” SMEQA stands for Subject Matter Expert Qualification Assessments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub
Every political movement needs a home for its ideas. Commonplace is the answer for today's right-of-center.On this episode, Helen Andrews, our new features editor, joins Oren to discuss the forthcoming launch of Commonplace—a new magazine from American Compass, making sense of the political, economic, and cultural concerns that shape America today.Helen unpacks how a conservative media universe dedicated to replaying the hits of the 1980s created the need for a new intellectual home. Looking ahead, she previews some of the pieces readers can look forward to reading later this month and explains how Commonplace will work to get to the heart of what matters in America.If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to Commonplace for updates, and follow the magazine on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
As election data analysis continues to pour in, we can be sure of one thing: a large number of working class votes which traditionally would have gone to the Democrats shifted in 2024 toward the GOP. As CNN reported last week: “Trump ran up large margins among White voters without a college degree who belong to labor unions and also significantly improved among unionized non-White workers without advanced education.”So, did Trump's victory signal a realignment for the working class? Or was it a one-off thing, an act of rebellion against a complacent Democratic establishment? In terms of first principles, what is an economy that makes sense for workers, and for all Americans? What are Americans owed? And do we have obligations toward undocumented immigrants? For this special live recording of the podcast, we invited Oren Cass from the conservative pro-labor think tank, the American Compass, to help us answer these questions. Samuel Kimbriel kicked things off with a question about the “American dream,” which Oren contrasts with what he calls “the American promise.” The dream is about upward mobility, and the promise is about economic stability. The problem in America today, Oren says, “is not that you can't rise to the top, but you don't have this basic stability to work from.”Christine Emba challenged Oren on immigration. On what grounds should the rights of American workers take precedence over the rights of workers in general? Why should we restrict immigration to people who want to join the American project? The conversation touched up the first principle question of “Who qualifies as a member of the political community?”, as Oren put it. The recording of this live event is fully open and free for all subscribers. You can listen to the Crowd ask questions during the Q and A period at the end. Our holiday party followed the event — something which, alas, was not recorded. But you can enjoy these pictures!Required Reading:* CrowdSource about economic populism (WoC). * “How Trump is giving the labor movement the blue-collar blues” (CNN).* The American Compass' mission statement.* “This Conservative Wants to Change the Way Republicans Think About Economics” (New York Times interview with Cass). * Oren Cass, “Workers Deserve Real Power. Unions Aren't the Best Way to Get It” (New York Times). * Oren Cass, The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America (Amazon). * Oren's Substack, Understanding America.* Christine Emba, “What Would Society Look Like if Extreme Wealth Were Impossible?” (The Atlantic). * Samuel Kimbriel, “Bonfire of the Vanities” (WoC).This post is part of our collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Governance and Markets.Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe
Donald Trump has promised to fix what he calls a broken economy and usher in a “golden age of America.” He's vowed to implement record tariffs, slash regulation, and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. But what will that mean practically for America's economic future? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is joined by Oren Cass, founder and chief economist at the conservative think tank American Compass, to discuss Trump's economic agenda and why Cass believes it will help American workers and businesses in the long run. Mass deportations, he says, will lead to a tighter labor market that will force employers to raise wages and increase working conditions. He also argues that steep tariffs are the only way to level the playing field with China, which has “flouted any concept of a free market or fair trade” for decades. However, many economists warn that Trump's plan will lead to rising inflation and a global trade war. So what's the biggest argument for an America first economic agenda? Will it really lead to long-term benefits for workers? Oren Cass makes his case.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Oren Cass Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
Donald Trump has promised to fix what he calls a broken economy and usher in a “golden age of America.” He's vowed to implement record tariffs, slash regulation, and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. But what will that mean practically for America's economic future? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is joined by Oren Cass, founder and chief economist at the conservative think tank American Compass, to discuss Trump's economic agenda and why Cass believes it will help American workers and businesses in the long run. Mass deportations, he says, will lead to a tighter labor market that will force employers to raise wages and increase working conditions. He also argues that steep tariffs are the only way to level the playing field with China, which has “flouted any concept of a free market or fair trade” for decades. However, many economists warn that Trump's plan will lead to rising inflation and a global trade war. So what's the biggest argument for an America first economic agenda? Will it really lead to long-term benefits for workers? Oren Cass makes his case.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Oren Cass Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is the self-proclaimed “tariff man.” On the campaign trail, he talked about tariffs of 20 percent on goods from most countries and 60 percent on those from China. Now, tariffs have trade-offs, especially domestically. To break it down, Ravi Agrawal is joined by a conservative economist who has long made the case for tariffs: Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Matthew Kroenig: Why the World Should Stop Worrying About a Second Trump Term Keith Johnson: Everything You Wanted to Know About Trump's Tariffs But Were Afraid to Ask Transcript: Economist Adam Posen on How Trump and Harris Differ on Economic Policy Transcript: Biden Advisor Heather Boushey on Whether Bidenomics Is Trying to Do Too Much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, coalition director Duncan Braid joins Oren to discuss American Compass's Back to Work agenda, which provides a comprehensive set of executive actions that the Trump-Vance administration should take to prioritize working families, domestic industry, and national economic strength when they take office.The two discuss how the president can deliver meaningful, rapid change on issues from the border and immigration to the economy and inflation. And the two talk through one of the most contentious battles on the Right today—the issue of tariffs—and how they can be used to put the wellbeing of the American people at the center of trade policy.For more, read Duncan's recent essay on The Commons, about where and how the administration can direct their electoral mandate, "'Great Again' is a Promise."
Whether to extend four trillion dollars in tax cuts or raise them next year is in question, with 34.1 trillion dollars in federal debt hanging in the balance. Some argue that tax cuts don't do enough to pay off the debt and not raising taxes imbalances the federal budget. Others argue our debt is caused by government overspending and will be helped by tax cuts that help promote a flourishing economy. Now we debate: Is the Republican Party's Refusal to Raise Taxes Fiscally Irresponsible? Arguing Yes: Oren Cass, Executive Director of American Compass Arguing No: David McIntosh, President of the Club for Growth Nayeema Raza, Journalist at New York Magazine and Vox, is the guest moderator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today on the show, Fareed is joined by an expert panel to break down the results of Tuesday's presidential election. New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein and Atlantic staff writer David Frum discuss the realignment of the American electorate that led to a sweeping Trump victory, and what Democrats need to do to build a durable and lasting coalition moving forward. Next, Oren Cass, founder and chief economist at the conservative think tank American Compass, joins the show to discuss the populist turn within the Republican Party, and what the GOP's agenda may look like under a second Trump presidency. Finally, The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes speaks with Fareed about the impact of the US election on the rest of the world, from Mexico to China, the Middle East to Ukraine and the rest of Europe. GUESTS: Ezra Klein (@ezraklein); David Frum (@davidfrum); Oren Cass (@oren_cass); Zanny Minton Beddoes (@zannymb) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Vice President-elect JD Vance is an advocate of a new school of conservative economic thought that says tax policy and other government intervention should be used to promote stronger families, communities and industry. To learn more about the goals of the "New Right," John Yang speaks with Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of the conservative think tank American Compass. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, joins Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to discuss the "American Reality." For years, the elite ruling class has sold the public a version of the "American Dream," but as it turns out, the dream of the average American is not the dream politicians have for us. Cass explains how recent polling on the "American Dream" should serve as an impetus for out-of-touch politicians to wake up. If you care about combatting the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
On this episode of “The Federalist Radio Hour,” Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, joins Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to discuss the “American Reality.” For years, the elite ruling class has sold the public a version of the “American Dream,” but as it turns out, the dream of the average American is not […]
Over the past few years, Elon Musk's political evolution has been arguably as rapid and disruptive as one of his tech ventures. He has transformed from a political moderate to a vocal proponent of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement and his outspokenness on issues like illegal immigration make him an outlier among tech entrepreneurs and CEOs.Musk's increasing political involvement has added a layer of scrutiny to his businesses, particularly as SpaceX aims to secure more contracts and regulatory permissions. Labor tensions also loom, with Tesla facing unionization efforts and accusations of unfair labor practices, adding a wrinkle into an election where both presidential candidates are vying for the labor vote in the midst of several high-profile strikes this year.Through all this, Musk's companies—SpaceX, Tesla, and X—are pressing forward, but the stakes have arguably never been higher with regulatory bodies and the court of public opinion keeping a close watch. Many conservatives have embraced Musk as a Randian hero of sorts, a champion of free speech and innovation. Others sound a note of caution, warning that his emphasis on “efficiency” could undermine certain conservative values, and question whether his record on labor and China are worth celebrating. So, should conservatives embrace, or resist, Musk-ification? Evan is joined by Chris Griswold, Policy Director at American Compass, a New Right think tank based in DC. Check out his recent piece, “Conservatives Must Resist Musk-ification.” Previously, he served as an advisor to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, where he focused on innovation, small business, and entrepreneurship.
You've heard the Republican ticket's pro-worker rhetoric. It often contradicts their own actions and party ideology, but is representative of an emerging faction within the right wing. Joining us to explore this new conservative ideology are Oren Cass, Chief Economist at American Compass, and Zachary Carter, author of "The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes." Together, we delve into key policy battlegrounds, from labor rights and immigration to domestic manufacturing and trade. Plus, the group considers a Post-Trump Republican Party. Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more: > YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weeklyshowpodcast > TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > X: https://x.com/weeklyshowpod Host/Executive Producer – Jon Stewart Executive Producer – James Dixon Executive Producer – Chris McShane Executive Producer – Caity Gray Lead Producer – Lauren Walker Producer – Brittany Mehmedovic Video Editor & Engineer – Sam Reid Audio Editor & Engineer – Nicole Boyce Researcher & Associate Producer – Gillian Spear Music by Hansdle Hsu — This podcast is brought to you by: ZipRecruiter Try it for free at this exclusive web address: ziprecruiter.com/ZipWeekly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a Bad State: Responding to State and Local Budget Crises (David Schleicher) David Schleicher is the Walter E. Meyer Professor of Property and Urban Law at Yale Law School. He is the author of In a Bad State: Responding to State and Local Budget Crises. He also co-hosts the podcast Digging a Hole with YLS colleague Samuel Moyn. Appendices: David Schleicher: New York Times article The Queen Bee of Bidenomics and American Compass proposal On Infrastructure Financing. Greg Shill: Fire & Steam: How the Railways Transformed Britain by Christian Wolmar. Jeff Lin: Interstate: Highway Politics and Policy Since 1939 by Mark Rose and Raymond Mohl. Follow us on the web or on “X,” formerly known as Twitter: @denselyspeaking, @jeffrlin, @greg_shill, and @ ProfSchleich. Producer: Nathan Spindler-Krage The views expressed on the show are those of the participants, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Federal Reserve System, or any of the other institutions with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.
In this episode, we sit down with Brad Littlejohn, a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a leading voice in the intersection of Christian ethics and public life. Brad dives into the themes of his latest book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License (Christ in Everything), where he explores the delicate balance between autonomy and restraint in the Christian understanding of freedom. Together, we unpack how tradition and authority can guide us in an age that often prioritizes individualism at the expense of community and virtue.The conversation also delves into Brad's recent article at American Compass, where he examines the pervasive impact of digital technology and social media on our social and political lives. We discuss how the online world shapes our perceptions, relationships, and behaviors, and what this means for the future of public discourse and societal well-being. Brad offers insights into the dangers of unbridled freedom in the digital age and the need for thoughtful engagement with technology that honors human dignity and fosters genuine community.Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on tradition, freedom, autonomy, and the boundaries that keep us grounded in an ever-shifting landscape. Whether you're interested in the philosophical underpinnings of liberty or the practical implications of living out these values in a digital world, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of modern life through the lens of Christian wisdom.
Oren Cass is founder of American Compass, a reformist center-right think tank seeking to look beyond dogmatic adherence to libertarian economics. He joins me to talk about the future of the American worker.American Compass: https://americancompass.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
Trump's pick of J.D. Vance as his running mate is seen by many as the culmination of a years-long realignment of Republican and conservative politics—away from trickle-down economics toward a more populist, worker-oriented direction. While the pick ushered in a flood of reactions and think pieces, it's unclear at this stage what Vance's impact would truly be in a Trump second term. Will Vance be able to overcome some of Trump's more establishment-friendly positions on taxes and regulation? Will he advocate that Trump continue some of Biden's policies on tech policy, particularly the administration's actions against companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple? How might Vance influence policies on high-tech manufacturing, defense technology, and artificial intelligence? Evan is joined by Oren Cass, Chief Economist and Founder of American Compass and the author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America. Read his recent op-ed in the New York Times on populism and his recent piece in Financial Times on Vance. Subscribe to his Substack, “Understanding America.”Evan is also joined by Marshall Kosloff, co-host of The Realignment podcast, sponsored by FAI, that has been chronicling the shifting politics of the U.S. for several years, as well as by Jon Askonas, professor of politics at Catholic University and senior fellow at FAI.
When Donald Trump on Monday chose Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate it excited populists — and unnerved some business elites. Later that evening, the president of the Teamsters, Sean O'Brien, gave a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention. “Over the last 40 years, the Republican Party has rarely pursued strong relationships with organized labor,” O'Brien said. “There are some in the party who stand in active opposition to labor unions — this too must change,” he added, to huge applause.There's something happening here — a real shift in the Republican Party. But at the same time, its official platform, and the conservative policy document Project 2025, is littered with the usual proposals for tax cuts, deregulation and corporate giveaways. So is this ideological battle substantive or superficial?Oren Cass served as Mitt Romney's domestic policy director in the 2012 presidential race. But since then, Cass has had an evolution; he founded the conservative economic think tank American Compass, which has been associated with J.D. Vance and other populist-leaning Republicans, like Josh Hawley, Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton. In this conversation, we discuss what economic populism means to him, what it looks like in policy, and how powerful this faction really is in the Republican Party.Mentioned:“The Electric Slide” by Oren Cass“This Is What Elite Failure Looks Like” by Oren Cass“Budget Model: First Edition” by American CompassBook Recommendations:The Path to Power by Robert CaroProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirThe Green Ember by S.D. SmithThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris with Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld with additional mixing by Aman Sahota and Isaac Jones. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Sonia Herrero.
Ryan debates Oren Cass, the Executive Director of the American Compass, on Immigration, Biden, and the economy. Oren Cass: https://x.com/oren_cass To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.