The Reason Roundtable

Can You Hate the Government and Still Love America?

This 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.

Is Socialism Going Mainstream?

This 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.

Why U.K. Socialism Could Soon Be America's Problem

This 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.

Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires

This 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.

Do Democrats Still Have a Big-City Crime Problem?

This 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.