Nationalism has become a word of opprobrium among many in polite society. It’s often associated with right-wing populists or authoritarians—with a provenance stirring unsettling memories of Hitler, Mussolini and other fascist dictators of the twenty-century, interwar period.

Even the more anodyne formulation, patriot has become fraught in today’s hyper-partisan moment.

John Halpin, co-editor of The Liberal Patriot,is working to expand our visions of these notions. He argues for the possibility of a center-left, liberal-leaning national identity. He offers the model of Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms.

In this episode of the Serve to Lead Podcast, Halpin discusses his thinking and writing on patriotism, nationalism—and how Americans can overcome our polarized politics.

The Next Nationalism is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

About John Halpin

John Halpin is a renowned expert on campaigns and elections, political ideology, and public opinion analysis.

His popular Substack newsletter, The Liberal Patriot, declares its mission:

a new site, newsletter, and community for political analysis and debate on elections, public opinion, policy, and ideology by co-editors John Halpin, Ruy Teixeira, Peter Juul, and Brian Katulis.

Over a 20-year career in the fields of public opinion and election analysis, Halpin has written extensively on voter attitudes about domestic and foreign policy with research featured in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Financial Times, The Boston Globe, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The American Prospect, and The Atlantic. He is the co-author with John Podesta of The Power of Progress: How America’s Progressives Can (Once Again) Save Our Economy, Our Climate, and Our Country, a 2008 book about the history and future of the progressive movement.

Halpin received his undergraduate degree in government from Georgetown University and his M.A. in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He lives in Baltimore with his wife and two children.

The Serve to Lead podcast has recently moved to Substack (and continues to repopulate in updated settings). It can be accessed in the usual formats, including:

Apple Podcasts | Amazon Audible | Amazon Music | Google Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify | Stitcher | Podchaser | TuneIn

Image Credit: John Halpin

Get full access to The Next Nationalism at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe