#1748 Patriotism in Peril: Democracy, the Military, and the Fight Over What America Means

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Jay Tomlinson

Marx, Political, Feminism, Jacobin, Left, Hightower, Politics, Counterspin, News, News Commentary, Maddow, Hartmann, Democracynow, Antiracism, Marxism, Socialism, Capitalism, Ezra, Liberal, Intercepted, Hayes, Progressive, Intercept, Intersectionality, Wolff

4.6 • 3.4K Ratings

🗓️ 2 November 2025

⏱️ 223 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Air Date 11/02/2025

A lot of people on the left aren't feeling the love for their country right now and that's understandable but we have some thoughts on more productive ways to channel those conflicting feelings toward a country that is currently falling far short of living up to its founding ideals.

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Full Show Notes

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Democracy's Morticians Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt on 'How Democracies Die' Part 1 - Lawfare Archive - Air Date 5-1-18

KP 2: How Trump Changed the World with Anne Applebaum Part 1 - PoliticsJOE Podcast - Air Date 6-14-25

KP 3: Giving Up Is Unforgivable with Joyce Vance Part 1 - Stay Tuned with Preet - Air Date 10-23-25

KP 4: How to FIGHT Mob Boss Politics in America with Senator Andy Kim Part 1 - How to Fix It with John Avlon - Air Date 10-19-25

KP 5: Unitary Executive Meets Textualism Part 1 - #SistersInLaw - Air Date 10-11-23

KP 6: How Underdogs Build Power Stephanie Luce Part 1 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 10-23-25

KP 7: Reclaiming Patriotism From Trumps America with Ted Johnson Part 1 - How to Fix It with John Avlon - Air Date 4-27-25

(00:59:59) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how the Left embraces the contradictions of the US

DEEPER DIVES

(01:10:45) SECTION A: SOCIETAL DRIVERS

(01:47:04) SECTION B: INSTITUTIONAL EROSION

(02:18:26) SECTION C: MILITARIZED LAWFARE

(02:41:12) SECTION D: PATRIOTISM AND NARRATIVE

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Composite image of the Declaration of Independence with three question marks on top filled with the image of the American flag.

Credit: Internal composite design. Images via Pixabay. | Pixabay License

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Transcript

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0:33.3	Welcome to this episode of the award-winning Best of the Left podcast. A lot of people on the left
0:37.9	aren't feeling the love for their country right now, and that's understandable. But we have
0:42.0	some thoughts on more productive ways to channel those conflicting feelings toward a country that is
0:48.0	currently falling far shorter than even usual of living up to its founding ideals.
0:58.6	For those looking for a quick overview, the source is providing our top takes in about 60 minutes today includes Lawfare Archive, Politics Joe, Stay Tuned with Prete, How to Fix It, Sisters
1:06.6	in Law, and Future Hindsight.
1:09.5	Then, in the additional deeper dives have of the show, there will be more in four sections.
1:13.8	Section A, societal drivers, followed by Section B, institutional erosion, section C, militarized
1:20.8	lawfare, and section D, patriotism, and narrative.
1:25.3	But first, a reminder to check out our new show solved on the Best of Left YouTube channel.
1:29.9	We're really proud of the show we're making.
1:31.6	You're going to get real value out of it.
1:33.2	And you checking it out actually helps us find new viewers on YouTube.
1:36.9	So thanks in advance for all of your views, subscribes, likes, and comments.
1:41.4	That's all on the Best of Left YouTube channel. Linkin the show notes.
1:45.2	And now, on to the show.
	...

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