The Vital Center

The Vital Center

NewsGovernmentSociety & Culture
The Niskanen Center
the-vital-center.simplecast.com
Fortnightly podcast. Next episode on Wednesday.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties are struggling to defend the political center against illiberal extremes. America must put forward policies that can reverse our political and governmental dysfunction, advance the social welfare of all citizens, combat climate change, and confront the other forces that threaten our common interests.

The podcast focuses on current politics seen in the context of our nation’s history and the personal biographies of the participants. It will highlight the policy initiatives of non-partisan think tanks and institutions, while drawing upon current academic scholarship and political literature from years past — including Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.’s 1949 classic “The Vital Center.”

We welcome your thoughts on this episode and the podcast as a whole. Please send feedback or suggestions to vitalcenter@niskanencenter.org
93 episodes  •  0 archived  •  
E91
Reevaluating the New Liberals, with Henry Tonks
E91·
January 21
January 21
1h 25m
E90
Why everyone hates white liberals, with Kevin Schultz
E90·
Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025
1h 18m
E86
The Legend of Murray Kempton, with Andrew Holter
E86·
Sep 10, 2025
Sep 10, 2025
1h 17m

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