Civitas Conversations

Eight weeks after Operation Epic Fury, the crisis in Iran has reached no definitive end. As the war progresses, it is increasingly unclear whether the outcome will favor the United States. At the same time, there is a growing sense among American citizens that order and stability in the Middle East do not always coincide with our best interests. In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Jakub Grygiel joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss his recent Civitas Outlook essay "The Iran War and the Coming Global Struggle." Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.   A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 is not a topic of conversation at many American dinner tables, but its recent controversies illustrate the odd holdover of ideas previously understood as politically leftist at a now Republican-dominated FTC. Jessica Melugin joined host Richard Reinsch to discuss Biden appointee Lina Khan's continued influence on the agency. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Richard Reinsch speaks with Joseph Postell, an expert in Congress and administrative law, about the future of the filibuster and the deeper institutional challenges facing the U.S. Senate. Drawing on Postell's Civitas Outlook essay, "Why Can't We Have a Filibuster?", the conversation explores how the Senate moved from dramatic, "talking" filibusters—where senators held the floor for hours—to today's low-cost, procedural obstruction that effectively imposes a 60-vote threshold on nearly all legislation.  Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

The 2026 Billionaire Tax Act is a California ballot initiative that would impose an emergency one-time five percent tax on billionaires to prevent what its supporters describe as the collapse of California's healthcare system. But history has a very clear answer to what "one-time" and "only the wealthy" mean in the long run: ongoing, and not only the wealthy. On episode 14 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Outlook contributing editor Veronique de Rugy joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss the slippery slope of taxation. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Which philosophical assumptions underlie the modern university? How should higher education play a role as a key pillar of society? What principles would define a genuinely truth-seeking institution, one oriented not merely toward knowledge production, but toward the pursuit of truth itself? On episode 13 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Institute senior fellow Pano Kanelos joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss the truth about higher education. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

On this episode of Civitas Conversations, Aaron Nielson examines the legacy of Justice Samuel Alito. A professor at the University of Texas School of Law, former Texas Solicitor General, and former clerk to Justice Alito, Nielson reflects on his experience at the Court and explores the contours of Alito's distinctive "practical originalism." Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

After decades of talk about a "green energy transition," fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix. Mark Mills joins the show to unpack why political narratives on green energy don't match reality, how they endure, and why fossil fuels remain king.  Mark P. Mills is a contributing editor at City Journal, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, a faculty fellow at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, and co-founding partner in Montrose Lane, an energy fund. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.  Civitas Conversations is a production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

On episode 10 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Outlook editor Richard Reinsch sits down with contributing editor Steven Hayward to discuss his recent essay, "Reagan, The Original MAGA President?"  Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.  Civitas Conversations is a production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.