Concepts with Shawn Whatley – Details, episodes & analysis

Sean Speer, Editor at Large at The Hub, paints a stressful (dire?) picture of what faces the next prime minister. The need to secure a stable economic and security agreement with the United States may, paradoxically, compromise the Prime Minister’s political future. They might not be able to secure an agreement that any Canadians will like.

What will America want in return for an improved trade relationship? Will we have to change policies on supply management, internet regulation, and customs?

We end by discussing the shifting political dynamics among the so-called ‘tech bros' and their alignment with conservative politics, and what that might mean for Canada.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for this election. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Preston Manning knows populism like no one else. He says Western Canada might have the most experience with populist movements and governments worldwide.

United Farmers’ Associations, Social Credit, CCF, and Reform — they all shared a bottom-up, grassroots energy fuelled by frustration over disdain from elites and inattentive government.

Having spent his life giving speeches and talking about Canada, Preston can fire off enough details about Canada to make anyone feel inspired by what we have and humbled we do not know it better.

Preston combines passion and energy while remaining open to divergent ideas. He seems to just keep rolling forward, with alacrity! 

Video of the episode is on youtube.com/@ConceptsWithShawnWhatley

In this episode, host Shawn welcomes Bruce Pardy, a Professor of Law at Queen's University, as they delve into various political labels and philosophies within Canadian politics. They discuss the misalignment of political party names with their actual values and the definition of conservatism in Canada. Bruce critiques the underlying collectivism in conservative principles and emphasizes the importance of individual liberty, distinguishing between classical liberalism, libertarianism, and conservatism. The conversation also covers the potential for Alberta's independence, the role of morality in governance, and the limitations of laws. Finally, Bruce shares insights from his think tank, Rights Probe, and his Substack writings, advocating for a minimalist state that prioritizes non-coercion and individual freedom.

Book mentioned:

Ecolawgic: The Logic of Ecosystems and the Rule of Law

Ecolawgic: The Logic of Ecosystems and the Rule of Law, (Fifth Forum Press, 2015)

147 Pages Posted: 27 Sep 2015

00:00 Introduction: The Misleading Names of Canadian Political Parties

00:29 Guest Introduction: Bruce Pardy

00:57 Defining Conservatism in Canadian Politics

01:30 The Role of Socialized Medicine in Conservatism

03:30 Classical Liberalism vs. Conservatism

05:03 Libertarianism and the Use of Force

10:21 Government Propaganda and the Use of Tax Dollars

17:56 Libertarianism vs. Anarchism

23:26 The Role of Cultural Norms in Libertarianism

39:00 The Legitimacy of Laws and Libertarian Principles

41:39 Discussing Alberta's Independence

44:18 Historical Context of Prairie Provinces

44:44 Representation Issues in Canadian Politics

45:44 Quebec's Unique Position

51:07 Philosophical Debate on Beauty and Liberty

55:14 Critique of the Canadian Constitutional System

01:04:25 Libertarianism and Rights Probe

01:19:02 Concluding Thoughts on Governance and Liberty

In this deep and thought-provoking discussion, Shawn interviews Caylan Ford, a documentary filmmaker, writer, researcher, charter school founder, and former political candidate. They explore the moral responsibilities of individuals on all sides of the political spectrum. Caylan delves into the importance of guarding our souls against the moral perils of modern politics, the value of metaphysical questions, and the role of education in cultivating virtues. With references to thinkers like Plato, Voegelin, and Aristotle, Caylan and Shawn examine how society's focus on materialism and the rejection of traditional values contribute to contemporary crises. They discuss the profound impact of beauty, suffering, and silence on the human experience and the necessity of a common good in politics. The conversation highlights the inherent tension between the quantifiable and the ineffable in modern life and the importance of maintaining an openness to the transcendent.

00:00 Guarding Our Souls in Political Times

00:55 Introducing Caylan Ford: A Multifaceted Career

01:36 The Fundamental Question: Why Does Anything Matter?

02:55 Metaphysical Significance and Human Flourishing

04:45 Plato, Vogelin, and the Nature of Reality

10:28 The Role of Education in Apprehending Reality

12:45 The Importance of Silence and Inner Stillness

19:52 Modern Society's Relationship with Mortality

26:51 The Consequences of Avoiding Metaphysical Questions

31:23 The Enlightenment and the Rejection of Tradition

32:12 The Importance of Cultural Roots

32:55 The Dangers of Uprootedness

34:11 Totalitarianism and the Atomized Man

34:49 Defining the Common Good

37:00 Philosophical Undertakings and the Order of Being

38:23 Conservatism and the Human Experience

44:49 The Role of Beauty and Family in Conservatism

54:15 COVID-19 and the Impact on Society

58:23 Concluding Thoughts on Conservatism

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Times always change, but our time is changing faster than usual. We live in a rare moment of revolution — a paradigm shift in culture, politics, economics … everything. As Ginny Roth said in episode #3, “Nothing is settled.”

Since World War II, western countries have held a shared set of principles — a common operating system, if you will. Most people call it ‘liberal democracy’. It includes a long list of assumptions about freedom, the individual, rule of law, deference to reason and evidence, trust in science, respect for experts, and much more.

Those ideas are no longer assumed or shared. Many academics abandoned them long before I was born, but regular people never doubted them until recently. The 2008 financial crisis shook many people’s faith in liberal principles, but we hoped it was a blip, a black-swan event.

In hindsight, 2008 was one car on an accelerating train. Trump’s ride down the escalator in 2015, Brexit in June 2016, and then Trump’s first victory in November 2016 are all connected. Even so, diehards refused to doubt their faith in liberal first principles, while the train kept gaining speed.

In late 2019-early 2020, China welded doors shut on apartment buildings to contain a novel infection. Western countries soon declared a state of emergency for a new SARS virus. Borders closed. Police arrested families out walking in the park. By the summer, we had George Floyd, Black Lives Matters, Capital Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle, and more.

Canada’ s Freedom Convoy in 2022 sparked similar events around the world. Prime Minister Trudeau’s Emergency Measures’ Act solidified his notoriety with citizens’ bank accounts frozen for donating $50, mounted policed trampling a disabled woman, and more.

All due to COVID, right?

But the train hasn’t slowed. Today, 98% of academic job postings discriminate based on DEI criteria. America has started to abandon identity-based employment discrimination, but Canada remains committed. Doctors must not question a teenager’s gender dysphoria to avoid breaking new law that bans ‘conversion therapy.’ Medical Assistance in Dying is now the 5th leading cause of death in Canada, in which most patients choose voluntary euthanasia with only a few choosing physician-assisted suicide.

It goes on with the Russia-Ukraine war. Hamas attacked a music event killing and kidnapping the old and very young. Canadian citizens celebrate Hamas with parties in the street. Students shut down universities in solidarity.

This long list is too short, of course. In isolation, each event might elicit a proper, liberal explanation. Citizens misunderstand freedom. Prime Minister Trudeau needs lessons on parliamentary democracy. Students mistake their own privilege. Conflict in the middle east would stop if we abandoned tribalism and historical grievances. Faith in the western liberal order need not waver. Except it does, and it should.

Leave aside the long list of events. The Israel-Hamas war by itself forces us to question our principled support for pluralism (see Sean Speer in episode #5). Given a decade of remarkable events, October 7 demands we reassess our assumptions about western liberal democracy.

Do our core assumptions still hold?

In a way, our revolutionary moment makes up for the unique, relative stability of the post-WWII liberal era. We are returning to a state more typical of modern human history: one that involves continual contest interspersed with moments of social order rarely enduring long enough to be taken for granted.

Revolutions awaken a search for ways to speak about things that most people already know to be true. Since the start of human history, children grow up, gain skills, develop interests, find mates, build homes, and raise families. This only sounds radical to modern, liberal minds — a tiny minority in human history.

Most Conservative parties and spokespeople have been, until now, essentially liberals (as many guests have noted on this show). But Conservative parties are changing. ‘Conservative’ political theory is shifting away from the basically liberal framework shared by other political parties. It is rediscovering a new conservatism (or a new, new-conservatism).

Roger Scruton, the late British philosopher, called conservatism a “work of rescue.” Many writers have noted how conservative ideas revive in times of crisis. People grow tired of a world that makes their heads spin. They abandon simple, ‘self-evident’ ideologies in favour of simple living. Regular people hunt for old habits and ideas that they can use to improve modern life. They rediscover meaning in a quest for a truly good life — a life well lived — instead of the limitless frenzy of late-stage liberalism.

Conservatism has no holy book. It has no prophet — no Oracle at Delphi. Instead it offers a messy library of trial and error.

Just to be clear, liberty predates liberalism by more than a thousand years. The rule of law, trial by jury, habeas corpus, private property, stable government and all the other key features of western civilization came about centuries before liberalism. Several thousand years of failures help us identify rare success. Things that work well almost never come de novo by genius and invention. The best ideas often appear to come by chance, after centuries of failure.

I created this podcast to tackle the massive shift we are experiencing in political theory, public policy, and modern culture. My starting hypothesis is that conservatism and liberalism are not the same thing. I hope to rediscover the differences between conservatism and liberalism in politics, culture, education, philosophy, economics, religion, history, and more. I think it holds the answer to a better life. I hope you will join me in the search!

In this episode, Dr. Chris Milburn, an emergency and family physician from Nova Scotia, shares his journey through medicine, public health, and politics. Dr. Milburn explains his evolution from a Green Party member to a vocal critic of expansive government regulations, recounting significant experiences including his firing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dialogue touches on the challenges of modern medical education, the inefficiencies of a bureaucratic healthcare system, and the necessity of free speech in medical discourse. Key topics include the impact of governmental control on healthcare workers, the erosion of medical education quality, and the foundational beliefs in libertarianism and conservatism.

Free Speech in Medicine conference

Pairodocs’ Collection of Heresy Substack

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Government Responsibility

00:19 Introducing Dr. Chris Milburn

00:50 Dr. Milburn's Green Party Experience

05:03 Challenges in Emergency Medicine Leadership

06:39 Public Health and COVID-19 Controversies

14:33 Medical Education: Then and Now

24:10 The Shift in Medical Education

25:07 Impact of Reduced Training Hours

26:27 Healthcare System vs. Patient Care

30:22 The Cost of Healthcare

35:29 Free Speech in Medicine Conference

45:48 Challenges in Rural Healthcare

48:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, we discuss with Andrea Mrozek her new book on marriage titled 'I... Do? Why Marriage Still Matters.' Andrea, a seasoned journalist and think tank expert, delves into the societal importance of marriage in today's secular, post-Christian society. We explore the strong link between marriage and fertility rates, the ongoing debate between the institutional and soulmate models of marriage, and the nuanced impacts of the sexual revolution on modern relationships. Drawing insights from historical contexts and recent survey data, Andrea emphasizes the need for a broader conversation about marriage, its benefits, and the societal trade-offs at play. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of why marriage remains a cornerstone for flourishing communities.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:15 Discussing Andrea's Book on Marriage

00:50 Quotes from the Book

01:46 The Importance of Marriage in Society

03:58 Marriage and Fertility Rates

07:05 Cornerstone vs. Capstone View of Marriage

08:50 Sliding vs. Deciding in Relationships

16:11 The Institutional vs. Soulmate Model of Marriage

25:41 Trade-offs in Social Policies

27:53 Misapplying Postures in Personal Relationships

28:52 The Impact of the Sexual Revolution

29:42 The Birth Control Pill and Family Dynamics

30:55 Economic Perspectives on Marriage and Children

33:18 The Pressure of a Successful Marriage

36:25 The Role of Family Structure in Society

42:42 Philosophical Views on Marriage

45:04 The Importance of Stable Families

47:00 A New Message for Marriage

50:34 Concluding Thoughts on Marriage and Society

In this episode, I welcome Dr. John von Heyking, Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, to discuss the meaning of conservatism in Canadian politics. The conversation delves into the 2013 Alberta floods as an example of community response, the evolving nature of conservative movements over recent decades, differing ideologies within conservatism, and the importance of community and individual rights. We also cover philosophical perspectives from thinkers like David Walsh and Eric Vogelin, the dynamics between individual and collective values, and the current political landscape in Canada.

00:00 2013 Alberta Floods: Community Response

01:04 Introducing Dr. John von Heyking

01:58 Defining Conservatism in Canadian Politics

04:43 The Role of Community in Conservatism

09:06 Friendship vs. Community

10:40 The Concept of Individual Rights

20:02 The Common Good and Its Implications

25:16 Critiques of Liberalism and Conservatism

28:44 French Enlightenment and Its Influence

29:46 Locke, Hobbes, and Modern Liberalism

31:04 Hume's Radical Philosophy

31:50 Classical vs. Modern Political Philosophy

33:17 Virtue and the Liberal State

37:54 Religious Wars and Tolerance

42:59 Canadian Identity and Civic Responsibility

52:03 Philosophical Anthropology and Ideologies

01:00:16 Current Canadian Political Issues

In this insightful episode, Dr. Brian Lee Crowley, founder and executive director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, joins Shawn to discuss his books and the critical issues facing Canada's political and social landscape. Dr. Crowley delves into the themes of his book 'Gardeners vs. Designers' to outline the deeper fault lines in Canadian politics beyond party lines. He provides a detailed account of the significant budget reforms during the Chrétien-Martin era, highlighting Canada's shift towards smaller government and its benefits. The discussion also touches on the adverse effects of expansive government policies on institutions like healthcare, drawing from history to suggest approaches for meaningful reform. The episode concludes with Dr. Crowley sharing his concerns about the current state of Canada's identity and its crucial relationship with the United States.

Books mentioned:

Gardeners vs. Designers: Understanding the Great Fault Line in Canadian Politics

Fearful Symmetry -- The fall and rise of Canada's founding values

The Canadian Century: Moving Out of America's Shadow

00:00 Introduction to Canadian Budget Reforms

00:57 Introducing Dr. Brian Lee Crowley

01:55 Gardeners vs. Designers: Understanding Canadian Politics

07:24 The Canadian Century: Moving Out of America's Shadow

15:43 Impact of Government Reforms on Citizenry

30:57 Challenges in Canadian Healthcare System

42:11 Concerns for Canada's Future

48:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of addiction, treatment, and the balance between agency and intervention with Dr. Regenstreif, a family physician and national expert on addiction medicine. Dr. Regenstreif shares her experiences from working in inner-city Hamilton to the Northwest Territories, discussing the history and impact of opioid prescribing, the rise of fentanyl, and effective harm reduction strategies like naloxone distribution and supervised injection sites. The discussion also touches on the broader social issues intertwined with addiction, such as poverty and mental illness, and explores the contentious topic of decriminalizing drugs. Join us for an in-depth conversation on how to support vulnerable individuals while navigating the intricate landscape of addiction treatment.

00:00 Introduction: Balancing Autonomy and Support for Vulnerable Individuals

00:22 Concerns About Government Intervention in Vulnerabilities

00:40 Introducing Dr. Regenstreif: Expert in Addiction Medicine

01:20 The Evolution of Safe Supply in Addiction Medicine

01:41 The Impact of Purdue Pharma and OxyContin on Addiction

03:13 The Rise of Methadone Clinics and Business Models

04:17 The Emergence of Fentanyl and Its Consequences

07:00 Harm Reduction Strategies: Naloxone and Supervised Injection Sites

10:02 Trials and Evidence for Safe Injection Sites

17:36 The Shift in Homeless Population and Substance Use Disorders

22:15 The Role of Prescription Opioids in Addiction

23:57 Revisiting the Opioid Crisis

24:47 The Shift to Heroin and Fentanyl

26:09 Challenges in Pain Management

27:27 Harm Reduction and Decriminalization

28:58 Patient Autonomy and Tough Love

36:20 Legalization and Its Impacts

39:34 The Future of Addiction Treatment

42:46 Concluding Thoughts on Addiction Policy