Civitas Conversations

Why We Can't Go Creedal to Grave

In a recent research paper for the Civitas Institute, Richard Samuelson asks whether the United States is still a creedal nation today. Contending that the political, institutional, and legal elements that historically enabled us to create and build such a nation are under serious threat, Samuelson concludes that modern government is unconducive to America's particular creedalism. While we have not yet reached a post-American order, he says, we may soon be unfit to call ourselves "Americans." In this episode of 'Civitas Conversations,' Samuelson joins host Richard Reinsch to further discuss the state of creedal nationalism in the U.S. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Colorado's Latest Secularist Gambit

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear 'St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy,' a case addressing two questions: whether Colorado's universal preschool program unconstitutionally burdens religious schools by conditioning their participation on rules that conflict with their faith, and whether the Tenth Circuit erred in holding that the Free Exercise Clause is not implicated because Colorado's exclusion lacks an explicitly religious classification. In a new episode of 'Civitas Conversations,' host Richard Reinsch is joined by 'Civitas Outlook' contributing editor Tal Fortgang for a discussion about Colorado's apparent hostility toward religious groups. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

What Does Iran Mean to the U.S.?

Eight weeks after Operation Epic Fury, the crisis in Iran has reached no definitive end. As the war progresses, it is increasingly unclear whether the outcome will favor the United States. At the same time, there is a growing sense among American citizens that order and stability in the Middle East do not always coincide with our best interests. In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Jakub Grygiel joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss his recent Civitas Outlook essay "The Iran War and the Coming Global Struggle." Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Lina Khan's Continued Influence on the FTC with Jessica Melugin

The Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 is not a topic of conversation at many American dinner tables, but its recent controversies illustrate the odd holdover of ideas previously understood as politically leftist at a now Republican-dominated FTC. Jessica Melugin joined host Richard Reinsch to discuss Biden appointee Lina Khan's continued influence on the agency. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Return to the Filibuster?

In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Richard Reinsch speaks with Joseph Postell, an expert in Congress and administrative law, about the future of the filibuster and the deeper institutional challenges facing the U.S. Senate. Drawing on Postell's Civitas Outlook essay, "Why Can't We Have a Filibuster?", the conversation explores how the Senate moved from dramatic, "talking" filibusters—where senators held the floor for hours—to today's low-cost, procedural obstruction that effectively imposes a 60-vote threshold on nearly all legislation. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.