New Books Network The Crisis of American Political Economy: On the New Conservative Policy Agenda with Chris Griswold
Apr 22, 2026
Chris Griswold, policy director at American Compass and former senior advisor to Senator Marco Rubio, discusses center-right approaches to labor, trade, and technology. He traces the rise of market fundamentalism, argues for balanced trade and industrial policy, and explores AI, worker dignity, and rebuilding institutions that support families and local communities.
01:14:23
Conservative Realignment Reclaims Older Economic Wisdom
- Conservative realignment rejects libertarian economic absolutism and re-emphasizes industry, unions, and industrial policy as pillars of national strength.
- Chris Griswold traces this back to Hamilton, Lincoln, and postwar public-private investment rather than 1980s free-market orthodoxy.
Free Trade With Strategic Rivals Breaks Markets
- Free trade with strategic rivals like China undermines healthy markets because state-directed industrial policy warps incentives and steals technology.
- Griswold cites China’s forced joint ventures, IP theft, and Huawei’s rise after U.S. firms exported know-how.
Negotiate Reciprocal Trade With Strategic Goals
- Aim for balanced reciprocal trade arrangements instead of blindly pursuing neutral WTO-style liberalization.
- Griswold recommends negotiating outcomes like investment commitments and stopping non-tariff distortions, not just tariff line lists.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right 17 chevron_right 18 chevron_right 19 chevron_right 20 chevron_right 21 chevron_right 22 chevron_right 23 chevron_right 24 chevron_right 25 chevron_right 26 chevron_right 27 chevron_right 28 chevron_right 29 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Seminary to Policy Work
01:32 • 3min
Early Political Interests and Theology
04:47 • 1min
South Africa's Lessons on Structural Problems
05:50 • 53sec
Elite Disconnect and Populist Backlash
06:43 • 4min
Reform Conservatism vs. New Realignment
10:16 • 3min
History of American Economic Orthodoxy
13:21 • 2min
Free Trade, China, and Incompatible Systems
15:19 • 2min
Trade: Balance Over Neutrality
17:20 • 2min
Origins and Ossification of Free-Market Ideology
19:39 • 5min
Markets, Rules, and Sports Analogy
24:16 • 3min
Defining Fundamentalism and Policy Failures
27:30 • 4min
Trump's Role in the Realignment
31:46 • 2min
Restoring a Consensus for Families and Industry
33:37 • 1min
Human Dignity as Economic Purpose
35:03 • 4min
Rebuilding Capitalism Against Financialization
39:29 • 5min
Federal Policy, Subsidiarity, and Local Revival
44:10 • 2min
Industrial Policy: Chips Act and Beyond
45:54 • 2min
Stagnation, Innovation, and Institutional Friction
47:53 • 54sec
AI, Productivity, and Worker Voice
48:47 • 2min
AI's Social Impact and the Trades
51:14 • 6min
Education, Vocational Training, and Civic Formation
57:05 • 2min
Uncertainty Around AI's Long-Term Effects
59:11 • 29sec
Tariffs, Negotiation, and Legislative Durability
59:40 • 46sec
Is the GOP Still Bush's Party?
01:00:26 • 1min
Policymakers to Watch and Historical Antecedents
01:01:32 • 3min
Literary Influences and Human Ecology
01:04:56 • 4min
Hope, National Self-Respect, and Future Dynamism
01:08:28 • 5min
Outro
01:13:17 • 39sec
#14856
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Grand New Party
How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream
Reihan Salam
Ross Douthat
Grand New Party lays bare the failures of the conservative revolution and presents a detailed blueprint for building the next Republican majority.
The authors argue that it is time to move beyond the Reagan legacy and the current Republican power structure.
They propose a conservative vision of a limited-but-active government that tackles the threats to working-class prosperity and the broader American Dream, covering topics such as immigration, health care, and taxes.
#4347
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
The Once and Future Worker
Oren Cass
#97394
Rebuilding American Capitalism
American Compass (collective / organization)
Rebuilding American Capitalism is a policy-focused volume produced by American Compass that sets out a framework for restoring an economy oriented toward broadly shared prosperity.
The book defines a healthy capitalism where private investment finances productive activity, innovation, and workforce development rather than financialization and short-term extraction.
It offers concrete proposals on industrial finance, worker voice, and regulatory design to align markets with national and social goals.
The work synthesizes historical examples, normative arguments, and policy prescriptions aimed at revitalizing industry and stabilizing communities.
It serves as a practical handbook for policymakers seeking to operationalize a worker-centered conservative economic agenda.
#6093
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Balance
Andrew Hallam
Andrew Hallam's "Balance" offers a comprehensive guide to achieving a fulfilling life by focusing on four key pillars: mental and physical health, financial well-being, life purpose, and strong relationships.
The book emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being and advocates for a balanced approach to life, rather than solely focusing on career success.
Hallam provides practical strategies and actionable steps to help readers build a solid financial foundation, cultivate meaningful relationships, and discover their life's purpose.
He encourages readers to prioritize their well-being and create a life that aligns with their values and aspirations.
The book's message resonates with individuals seeking a more balanced and fulfilling existence.
#453
• Mentioned in 70 episodes
That Hideous Strength
C. S. Lewis
Published in 1945, 'That Hideous Strength' is the final book in C.S.
Lewis's Space Trilogy.
The story takes place on Earth and follows the character Mark Studdock, a young sociology faculty member at Bracton College, as he becomes entangled with the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N.
I. C. E. ), a sinister organization with totalitarian ambitions.
The novel delves into themes of faith, doubt, and the struggle between good and evil, featuring characters from the previous books in the trilogy, including Elwin Ransom.
It critiques the dangers of logical positivism and the erosion of moral values, drawing parallels with other dystopian works like George Orwell's '1984'.
#5836
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Centesimus Annus
Pope St. John Paul II
Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Centesimus Annus" reflects on the 100th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum.
It addresses the social and economic challenges of the late 20th century, particularly the fall of communism and the rise of globalization.
The encyclical affirms the importance of a market economy while emphasizing the need for ethical and social considerations.
It critiques both unrestrained capitalism and collectivist systems, advocating for a model that respects human dignity and promotes the common good.
John Paul II stresses the importance of solidarity, subsidiarity, and the role of the state in ensuring social justice.
The encyclical remains a significant contribution to Catholic social teaching, offering guidance for navigating the complexities of modern economic systems.
#1782
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Rerum novarum
Leo XIII Pope
Joseph Kirwan
Pope Leo XIII's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" is a landmark document in Catholic social teaching.
Issued in 1891, it addressed the social and economic problems arising from the Industrial Revolution, particularly the plight of workers.
The encyclical condemned both laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, advocating for a more just and humane economic system.
It affirmed the dignity of labor, the right of workers to form unions, and the role of the state in protecting workers' rights.
Rerum Novarum established key principles of Catholic social thought, including the importance of subsidiarity, the common good, and the dignity of the human person.
It remains a foundational text for Catholic social teaching and continues to inspire efforts to promote social justice and economic fairness.
#5282
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
The New Conservatives
Oren Cass
#2394
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
The Rise and Fall of American Growth
The U.S. Standard of Living Since the Civil War
Robert J. Gordon
The book describes the 100 years following 1870 as the 'Special Century,' a period of revolutionary growth and prosperity driven by innovations such as electric lighting, indoor plumbing, motor vehicles, air travel, and television.
Gordon argues that this era of growth has been flatlining since 1970, marked by growing inequality, stagnating education, an aging population, and rising debt.
He contends that the productivity growth of the past cannot be repeated and identifies several 'headwinds' that will continue to slow American economic growth.
The book is divided into two main parts, covering the period from 1870 to 1940 and from 1940 to 2010, and includes detailed statistical analysis and historical anecdotes to support its arguments.
#14671
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Achieving our country
Richard Rorty
Richard Rorty's "Achieving Our Country" explores the relationship between national pride, political action, and the left's stance on patriotism.
In this sixth episode of Season 5, I interview Mr. Chris Griswold. An alum of Wheaton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, he was formerly a senior advisor to then Senator Marco Rubio, and is currently the Policy Director for American Compass—a leading center-right public policy think-tank.
Recently, he contributed to the book, The New Conservatives (2025), an anthology edited by his colleague, Oren Cass, that re-articulates a conservative economic vision for the country. Drawing on it, we discuss the crisis of America’s political economy, from questions surrounding current AI, automation, and the end of free trade; political instability and populism; how economic policy can best serve American workers and families; and what makes us hopeful for the country’s future during its 250th anniversary.
Hosted by Ryan Shinkel, Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. The transcript for this interview is available on our new Substack page, “Madison’s Footnotes.”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network