The conservative legal movement is in the midst of a great debate about its future. For decades, originalism — the idea that the original meaning of the Constitution is binding on today's interpreters — has been the default theory of legal conservatism, and so it remains. But the meaning of originalism is now in flux, as novel theories have challenged longstanding beliefs about its core philosophical premises. In this podcast, attorney Joel Alicea discusses his essay from our Spring 2015 issue, which dealt with the varying interpretations of originalism and its future in the conservative legal movement.

Joel Alicea on Originalism

The National Affairs Podcast

Philip Jeffery on an American Cultural Agenda

Profiles of Irving Kristol, the late founder of The Public Interest, have long emphasized his personal qualities and political evolution over his ideas. In this episode of the National Affairs Podcast, Matthew Continetti joins hosts Devorah Goldman and Daniel Wiser, Jr., discussing Kristol’s thoughts on the deep links between politics and religion. They argue that these teachings still hold valuable lessons for us today, as we struggle through cultural conflicts.

Matthew Continetti is a resident fellow at AEI, where he focuses on American political thought and history. He is also a contributing editor for National Affairs and former editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon. This podcast is inspired by Matt’s essay from the Summer 2014 issue of National Affairs, “The Theological Politics of Irving Kristol.”

Matthew Continetti on Irving Kristol

National Affairs is a quarterly journal of essays about domestic policy, political economy, society, culture, and political thought. Founded and edited by Yuval Levin, it aims to help Americans think a little more clearly about our public life, and rise a little more capably to the challenge of self-government.

Each National Affairs podcast features an interview with one or more of our authors. Daniel Wiser, Jr., and Devorah Goldman, the assistant editors of National Affairs, host the conversations.

The National Affairs Podcast

Popular tracks