The Rational Nationalist

The Global Chessboard

In this episode of The Rational Nationalist, Lee Ellis expands the discussion of mass politics from the national to the global level, examining how ideological coalitions, institutional power, and competing political systems shape the emerging world order. The episode explores how the ideological divisions of the global populace correspond to the institutions shaping the current geopolitical order.

The Free Right and the Authoritarian Right

In this episode of The Rational Nationalist, Lee Ellis examines the internal divisions within the modern political Right, distinguishing between the Free Right and the Authoritarian Right. Building on previous discussions of the Marxist Left and the Institutional Center, this episode explores nationalism, constitutionalism, political coalitions, and the growing tension between individual liberty and centralized power in modern politics. The episode also introduces the “political megaphone” framework for understanding the relationship between government control, ideological extremism, and competing political movements in the modern world.

Cold War 2.0 - Global Civil War

A look at how the global population had divided itself into transnational camps of Right, Left, and Center. We'll take a look at the Marxist Left and the Institutional Center, breaking down the transnational Right in our next episode.

Ideals vs. Ideology

We'll talk about how America never really won the Cold War - the enemy just transformed. We'll also distinguish between ideals and ideologies, and how the world's first capitalist Communist country is led by a honey-loving bear.

Mass Politics and Mongols

Throughout history, most people's level of political awareness was hoping that they would not get their crops burned and their families murdered by marauders. During the Enlightenment, people learned to start thinking for themselves; during the Internet Era, they promptly stopped doing so. We'll examine the development of mass political awareness and activism that we see today.