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21 November 2024

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Rational Actors

Kevin Glass talks to writers and analysts of all political persuasions to suss out why they take the positions they do and to challenge them from a different P.O.V.

Jul 23, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Ben Terris
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Jul 5, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Ashe Schow
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Jun 17, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Zack Beauchamp
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May 22, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Sonny Bunch
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Sonny discuss the phenomenon of “the politicized life,” in which cultural preferences come to reflect political leanings. Sonny argues that the tactic of politicized boycotts has shifted from right to left over time. Kevin asks whether some positions, like 9/11 trutherism, are deserving of ostracism. Why are undergraduates rebelling against controversial commencement speakers? Is the rise of trigger warnings on campus an authoritarian omen? And where is this culture of heightened political correctness headed?
May 10, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Timothy Lee
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Tim discuss the FCC’s so-called “fast lane” regulatory proposal and what it means for net neutrality and Internet regulation. Can deregulation lead to more broadband competition? They analyze whether the deal between Comcast and Netflix threatens the future of open networks. Tim argues that a Comcast–Time Warner merger would make all of these problems worse. Could we someday cut the cord entirely and have all our content delivered by mobile broadband? Plus: Tim’s personal evolution on the necessity of at least some regulation to preserve the principles of the open Internet.
Apr 22, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Patrick Brennan
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Patrick discuss Cliven Bundy, the Nevada cattle rancher taking on the federal government. Does Bundy have a point about federal land management and militarized law enforcement? Or is this just a springboard for conservative conspiracy theories? Moving on to Obamacare, they discuss the new status quo now that enrollment numbers have clearly exceeded expectations. Could Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan help Obamacare?
Apr 7, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Danny Vinik
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Danny take a close look at Paul Ryan’s new budget. They consider the controversial budgetary practice known as “dynamic scoring,” and whether Ryan’s budget can be reconciled with Rep. Dave Camp’s tax reform plan. Does Ryan have political ambitions beyond the House of Representatives? Kevin notes that Ryan has subtly changed his Medicare plan to make it more politically plausible. Have conservatives reached the final stage of Obamacare grief—acceptance? Plus: How liberals won the debate over pre-existing conditions.
Mar 25, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Caroline Kitchens
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On Rational Actors, Kevin talks to Caroline about the concept of “free-market feminism” and how it’s different from mainstream feminism. What would a free-market feminist policy agenda look like? Is the wage gap real when non-gender factors are taken into account? Is “rape culture” a useful formulation for campus anti-rape activists? Is the methodology for studies on sexual assault flawed? Finally, will the White House initiative on sexual assault be effective?
Mar 10, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Gabriel Arana
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Gabriel discuss the schism between CPAC and the gay conservative group GOProud. Are conservatives ready to accept gay marriage? They discuss why gay marriage and abortion are not analogous, and why knowing an openly gay person increases one’s support for marriage equality. Will gay rights groups be magnanimous in victory toward social conservatives? Kevin and Gabriel consider the recent defeat of religious freedom laws that would allow discrimination by business owners, and debate whether appeals to religious conscience will convince most Americans to support such legal exemptions.
Feb 24, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Jason Kuznicki
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On Rational Actors, Kevin and Jason discuss the bills under consideration in Kansas and Arizona that would allow businesses to discriminate against gays. Jason explains why he doesn’t see such proposals as analogous to Jim Crow. Kevin argues that there’s a difference between narrow religious exemption and a general right to discriminate. Does this logic lead inexorably toward Sharia Law? Jason describes his theory of progressive “SimCity Government.” Kevin suggests that Americans have chosen to sacrifice privacy for the sake of social media.

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