The Revival of Civic Life with guest professor Pete Peterson

Christian college professors Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines with special guest Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University.

We discuss how to revive our civic life in the face of challenges posed by a lack of viewpoint diversity in academia and the public square and our ongoing epidemic of loneliness. 

Part 1 (1:20): Introduction - Pete Peterson discusses his pathway to Pepperdine University and the world of public policy. 

Part 2 (9:43): Viewpoint Diversity and Civic Life - We discuss the challenges faced by conservative professors and students in contemporary colleges and universities and the broader influence of the academy’s “eggshell” culture on the public square. Links: Philadelphia Statement; Shields and Dunn, Passing on the Right; Pete Peterson at RealClearPolicy; Yascha Mounk at The Atlantic.     

Part 3 (24:47): Loneliness and Civic Life - We discuss the epidemic of loneliness and the way that a communitarian conservatism could help combat it. Links: Michael Hendrix at RealClearPolicy; American Project essays at RealClearPolicy; Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy; The American Project; Senator Mike Lee’s Social Capital Project.    

Opening and closing music is from the beginning of "Happy Life" by Ryan Andersen from his 2018 album, Americana volume 1. Available here. Licensed by Creative Commons.

Matt Parks is an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is a Professor of Politics and the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.