The Old Playbook of Power and Influence Is Different Now

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The episode provides valuable insights into the historical evolution of political influence, drawing on the guests’ expertise and published works. The argumentation is solid, with clear examples and logical progression from the New Deal era to the present. The discussion effectively connects historical strategies to contemporary phenomena, such as Elon Musk’s dismissal of traditional press inquiries. The guests offer nuanced perspectives, acknowledging both the successes and limitations of past approaches. The value lies in its historical depth and the critical examination of how influence is cultivated, which is highly relevant for understanding current media and political dynamics.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, as the guests are established scholars with relevant publications. The sources mentioned include the guests’ own books and historical documents, though specific citations are not provided in the episode. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the shift in influence strategies. The discussion is well-structured and grounded in historical evidence, though it would benefit from more explicit references to primary sources. Overall, the episode maintains a high standard of intellectual rigor.

The title accurately reflects the core theme of the episode: the transformation of political influence strategies from think tanks and traditional media to more direct, digital, and disruptive methods.

8/10

The discussion features two established authors and academics (Kim Phillips-Fein and Samuel Earle) who provide historical context and analysis. The claims are well-supported by their published works and historical evidence. The podcast format allows for nuanced discussion, but the lack of direct citations to specific sources in the episode reduces the score slightly.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction of guests and topic: the changing nature of political influence.
• 05:00Kim Phillips-Fein discusses the DuPont brothers' opposition to the New Deal and the formation of the American Liberty League.
• 10:00Discussion on the Mont Pelerin Society and its role in promoting free-market ideas.
• 15:00Samuel Earle draws parallels with Britain's Institute of Economic Affairs and the rise of Thatcherism.
• 20:00Exploration of how think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute influenced journalism and public discourse.
• 25:00Discussion on the fracturing of the right and the rise of technocracy, referencing Peter Thiel.
• 30:00Consideration of what the left can learn from the right's long-term strategies.
• 35:00Reflection on the current state of political influence and the role of social media.

• Invisible Hands: The Businessman's Crusade Against the New Deal — Kim Phillips-Fein's book, discussed as a foundational text on the conservative movement.
• Tory Nation: The Dark Legacy of the World’s Most Successful Political Party — Samuel Earle's book, referenced in the context of British conservatism.
• Country of Lords — Kim Phillips-Fein's forthcoming book, mentioned as a continuation of her analysis.
• The Road to Serfdom — Friedrich Hayek's influential book, cited as inspiration for conservative think tanks.
• American Enterprise Institute — Think tank discussed as part of the conservative infrastructure.

• Invisible Hands: The Businessman's Crusade Against the New Deal — Provides historical evidence for the conservative movement's strategies.
• Tory Nation: The Dark Legacy of the World’s Most Successful Political Party — Offers a comparative perspective on British conservatism.

• aarontheillustrator.com
• www.cjr.org
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• katiekosma.com