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The American Idea
by Ashbrook Center
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Latest episodes
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Selective Obedience of the Law - Nullification Then, Sanctuary Cities Today
October 21, 2026 · 42 minDo states have a constitutional right to nullify or ignore federal laws? Many in the South in the early 19th Century thought so, and argued against national tariffs on those grounds, even provoking a crisis between President Andrew Jackson…
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Money and Politics: The National Bank, the Federal Reserve, and America’s Finances
October 7, 2026 · 35 minWe hear a lot about “The Fed,” interest rates, and America’s staggering national debt. But what do they each mean, how are they related, and how do they impact each of us today and in the future? Jeff discusses these seemingly complicated…
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Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution
September 30, 2026 · 32 minJeff is joined by Jonathan Turley - Georgetown University law professor, author, and constitutional law expert - to discuss the revolutionary roots of America, and how a few key distinctions between our revolution and that of France kept…
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Was the Supreme Court Supposed to Have This Much Power?
September 23, 2026 · 45 minTypical civics and American Government courses teach that the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution - that is, determining its meaning and limits. Judicial Review, and other accepted powers of the court, are also…
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The Last Adieu: Lafayette and Early America
September 9, 2026 · 40 minThe Marquis de Lafayette came to America at age 19, on his own dime, to earn glory on the battlefield. He quickly became one of the Revolution’s greatest believers, and spent the rest of his life admiring the spirit and goals of the…
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Completing the Founding: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
August 26, 2026 · 48 minWritten while the Constitutional Convention was taking place in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was adopted fully by the new government, despite being a production of the Articles of Confederation. It also laid the foundation for many of the…
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Fact or Fiction? Historians Discuss Young Washington
August 19, 2026 · 36 minYoung Washington purports to tell the story of George Washington’s early life, and the choices, situations, and actions that defined him as a young man, and in the eyes of his countrymen. But how accurate is it, and considering how many…
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America's First Citizen: Character Lessons from George Washington
August 12, 2026 · 36 minFirst in war, first in peace, and traditionally first in the hearts of Americans - what can we learn from Washington, the man? What made him the person around whom history seemed to turn, and why is his character worth studying and, in…
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Why Did the Founders Create a Republic?
July 29, 2026 · 40 minAmerica is often called a democracy, sometimes a democratic republic, and probably less-often a republic. But to be precise, the American system of constitutional government, first in the original 13 states, then in the general government…
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A Sober View of Human Nature: Federalist 10 and Factions
July 15, 2026 · 42 minIn Federalist 10, James Madison identified what he saw as one of the greatest dangers to popular government: factions. How did he define and understand them? Does his definition and his argument still stand up today? How can, by…
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More than a Document: Living the Declaration of Independence
July 1, 2026 · 41 minThe ideals, values, and aspirations in the Declaration of Independence aren’t just the words of an old document - they’re a statement of political and public faith in how we should see one another and how we should conduct ourselves as a…
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Our Right to Privacy and the 4th Amendment
June 24, 2026 · 45 minOur 4th Amendment rights to privacy, in various forms, has its origins before the Declaration of Independence, and is at the foundation of Americans’ understanding of natural rights. In this episode, Dr. Cara Rogers-Stevens discusses the…
About the show
The American Idea explores America's history and principles and what they mean today. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Dr. Jeff Sikkenga.