#52 Josh Lewis: Conservatism, Saving Elephants, Populism, Donald Trump, and Economic Morality

Concepts with Shawn Whatley

Josh Lewis is a traditional conservative who has worked in 'government' in America, has served in retail politics, and has interviewed hundreds of leading thinkers in American conservatism.

Josh has a unique ability to bridge the gap between politics and life, philosophy and culture. His developed his skill comes from a deep discomfort with what he saw around him in the Republican Party.

If you want to understand conservatism, American politics, the US constitution, and Burkean conservatism, have a listen.

Josh's podcast: Saving Elephants https://www.savingelephantsblog.com/

AI summary:

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into conservatism with special guest Josh Lewis, host of the podcast 'Saving Elephants.' Josh offers his in-depth perspective on the current state of American politics, traditional conservative thought, populism, and the challenges facing the Republican Party. The conversation also explores the economic outlook and moral responsibility of living within our means. Tune in to uncover the nuances between different conservative ideologies and their implications on both policy and practice.

00:00 Introduction to Conservative Thought

01:43 Meet Josh Lewis: Host of Saving Elephants

03:09 The Millennial Conservative Perspective

08:24 Trump and the Evangelical Influence

12:04 The Intellectual Tradition of Conservatism

22:25 Russell Kirk's Legacy and Critique

29:40 Modern Republican Party and Conservatism

35:50 The Struggle Between Power and Principles

36:23 Exploring Leo Strauss and Neoconservatism

36:56 Burke vs. Strauss: Universal Truths and Particularities

45:36 The Role of Elites in Society

52:46 The Constitution: A Conservative Perspective

01:04:30 Economic Concerns and Moral Responsibility

01:09:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts