The History of Successful Liberal Reform

When elites feared the system would fall apart entirely, they accepted reform.

The Far Right Canon

The radical right has its own canon of intellectuals—aristocratic, resentful, and a profound challenge to liberal philosophy.

Neon Liberalism #28: Has Feminism Run Out of Steam?

Join Samantha and guest Talia Bhatt as they discuss the state of feminism under Trump II, the enduring relevance of radical feminist ideas, and the uses and abuses of intersectionality in contemporary leftist thought. Neon Liberalism can be heard on Spotify, on Apple, on YouTube, on Amazon, and elsewhere via

The Opposition Report #2

A summary of May 2025 in the second Trump term.

The Totalitarian Logic of Immigration Controls

Reading Chandran Kukathas' "Immigration and Freedom" during the second Trump administration.

Half the Answer #15: Showing Their Buts

Trent and Caitlin talk to…each other??? Caitlin presents the reasoning behind her recent Liberal Currents essay on the rhetorical strategies used by pundits and politicians when they don’t want to appear unsympathetic to trans people but won’t commit to supporting the full range of human and civil

In Defense of Classical Liberalism

The classical liberals were, after all, liberals, even as we understand the word today. They valued personal liberty and moral equality, and were prepared to undertake radical social reform to advance those values.

The Coming Nuclear Age

Programs of territorial conquest against non-nuclear states must be strongly punished by whatever means available.

Neon Liberalism #27: How to Fix Democracy

Join Samantha and guest Kevin J. Elliott as we talk about the history of democracy as a form of government, why it has no longer has any competitors, and how the structure of our democracy has nevertheless become a site of political contestation. Elliott also swings for the fences and

Half the Answer #14: Anti-DEI or Just Segregationist?

Caitlin and Trent join Associate Professor Victor Ray to talk about DEI. What is meant by DEI depends on who is using it and what they’re trying to get done. Victor explains the history of DEI as a set of legal standards that insulated companies from accusations of discrimination,

Trump's Lawlessness Has Historical Roots

Donald Trump is heir to a long tradition of presidential misuse of federal powers and personnel against American citizens.

How to Prevent the Orbanization of America

A great deal of the opposition has stepped up, but the opposition party needs to start truly acting like one.