Fault Lines is a debate series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings leading thinkers together to confront the questions dividing the American right.
Each episode goes beyond talking points to explore the real disagreements shaping conservatism, politics, and American public life. Where are the fault lines within the Right? Which differences can be reconciled, and which represent fundamentally competing visions of the future?
Hosted by ISI, Fault Lines creates a forum for serious disagreement, thoughtful argument, and the ideas shaping what comes next.
Conservative vs. Postliberal: Is Liberalism Finished? | James Patterson & Jacob Imam
In this episode of "Fault Lines," Jacob Imam and James Patterson debate whether post-liberalism offers a viable alternative to modern liberalism or whether its political and historical foundations have already proven unsuccessful. Patterson argues that post-liberal political movements have repeatedly compromised religious freedom, individual rights, and the independence of the Church. Drawing on historical examples of Catholic authoritarian regimes, he warns that concentrating political powe...
2 Nov 2026
Has Free Trade Destroyed America? | Julius Krein vs. Phillip Magness
Has free trade weakened America? In this episode of "Fault Lines," Julius Krein and Phillip Magness debate whether neoliberalism, free trade, and decades of economic liberalization have undermined American prosperity and national security. Krein argues that globalization has hollowed out critical industries, weakened domestic manufacturing, and left America dangerously dependent on China. He contends that targeted tariffs and strategic government investment are necessary to rebuild the nati...
6 Oct 2026
Do Oligarchs Run America? | Sohrab Ahmari vs. Robby Soave
Are oligarchs running America? In this episode of "Fault Lines," Sohrab Ahmari and Robby Soave debate whether concentrated wealth and corporate power have undermined American democracy. Ahmari argues that America increasingly suffers from electoral, market, and informational oligarchy, with wealthy donors, powerful corporations, and technology platforms exercising influence that ordinary citizens cannot match. Soave challenges that diagnosis, arguing that many of America's supposed oligarchs ...
22 Sept 2026
Empire vs. Restraint: What's Best for America? | Phillip Blond and Curt Mills
In this installment, Curt Mills and Phillip Blond debate the resolution: "Empire Is Bad for America." At stake is whether America's global power and network of alliances protect the country's prosperity and security or entangle Americans in costly wars, commitments, and institutions that no longer serve their interests. Mills argues that America's imperial turn has weakened the country's republican traditions, drawn it into unnecessary conflicts, and diverted attention and resources away fro...
8 Sept 2026
Christian Professor vs. OpenAI Strategist: Is AI Demonic? | Dr. Zachary Porcu & Dean Ball
Welcome to "Fault Lines," a debate series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute bringing serious thinkers together to debate the political, cultural, and intellectual questions shaping our world. In this installment, Dr. Zachary Porcu and Dean Ball debate the resolution: "AI Is a Deal With the Devil." At stake is whether artificial intelligence is just the next tool in humanity's technological progress or a type of idol that reshapes our relationship to knowledge, power, religion, and e...
25 Aug 2026
Did Trump Fail Trumpism? | Dan McCarthy vs. Christopher Caldwell
Resolved: Trump Killed Trumpism What is Trumpism, and can it survive Donald Trump? In the first episode of Fault Lines, Christopher Caldwell and Dan McCarthy debate whether Trump has strengthened the political movement he created or undermined its defining principles. Moderated by Leah Libresco, the conversation explores immigration, foreign policy, corruption, the changing conservative coalition, the future of conservative institutions, and what a post-Trump Republican Party could look like ...
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