DIA-Today: Democracy in America Today

We begin a new series based on our 2010 book, Keeping Our Republic: Principles for a Political Reformation, by reviewing the first principle discussed, equality.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the arrival of summer in Colorado...

We review the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term and talk about the origins and trajectory of the Trump coalition.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:54) - We discuss Dave’s recent visit to Green Bay for the NFL draft. President Trump’...

We discuss the case for and against President Trump’s tariffs in the broader context of American economic and moral prosperity. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We talk about spring skiing and avoiding mishap on the slopes Tariffs in Context...

We continue our discussion of the first 100 days of President Trump’s second administration by focusing on his plans for the Department of Education and a program for education reform. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:54) - We discuss the arrival...

We continue our examination of the first 100 days of the second Trump Administration by discussing the constitutional and political questions around DOGE. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss what we did last week in light of Elon Mus...

We begin our examination of the first 100 days of the second Trump Administration by discussing his use of executive power. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We catch up after a mid-winter break from the show. The Constitutional Executive (1:...

We discuss Americans’ suspicion of experts, its connection to elite institutions, and its application to creating a sensible intelligence-gathering regime, guided by the writings of the late Dr. Angelo Codevilla. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:5...

The people have spoken…and we’re back for a post-election recap. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We revisit our election predictions and discuss our evenings watching the returns come in. 2016 v. 2024 (4:13) - We discuss the significance of...

After 2 ½ years away, we come back for a special election preview episode.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We talk about our new jobs and new homes in new states and speculate about the popular demand for more DIA-Today. A New Consensus? (...

We conclude season three by reflecting on the influence of music in shaping the soul and the city from the very end of Aristotle’s Politics.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the challenges of finding pea...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the relationship between education and the regime and the state of public and private education today.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss end-of-the-year traditions at Gene...

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime, reflecting on his account of the public consequences of family life. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the graduation cere...

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime, reflecting on the inculcation of virtue and the means and ends of the American regime. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss g...

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime with special focus on a robust public life. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the virtues of Administrative Assistants on t...

We discuss the population and geographic circumstances that lead to the best regime and the remarkable blessings enjoyed by the United States.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss our Easter weekends, the las...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of happiness for the individual and the nation and the fundamental debate over the nature of the best life in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the best and worst oligarchies and the progressive development of the American national government.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss the start of the baseball season and...

We discuss the four kinds of democracy and the importance of understanding the nature of one’s own regime to be an excellent citizen or statesman.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the coming of April an...

We reflect on how different institutional structures, laws, and economic ways of life affect the character of a regime.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss Dave’s family vacation in Florida among the colle...

We reflect on Aristotle’s critique of Plato’s account of regime change and the possibility of political reform in a fallen world.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss the successes of Geneva’s girls winter...

We apply Aristotle’s discussion of kings and tyrants to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the leaders of the two sides.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk about the cancellation of the first week of baseba...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of regime preservation, with a focus on education and the key qualities of statesmen.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We reflect on our Super Bowl picks and talk about Dave accidenta...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of revolution in democracies, oligarchies, and aristocracies.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk about the transition from football season to baseball season and Geneva’s upcomi...

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the causes of revolution and the contempt of contemporary elites for those they govern. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk cold and Covid in New York, Tom Brady’s retirement, a...

We discuss the introduction to Aristotle’s account of revolution in Book V of The Politics and consider its implications for the 2024 presidential race.      Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia . Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We talk about the disappo...