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Sean Illing

Sean Illing

Host of The Gray Area

    Latest articles by Sean Illing

    Politics
    Why the myth of a perfect meritocracy is so perniciousWhy the myth of a perfect meritocracy is so pernicious
    Politics

    “Things we’re not entitled to claim moral credit for are the driving forces behind success.” —Robert H. Frank

    By Sean Illing
    World Politics
    Why you should give a shit about NATOWhy you should give a shit about NATO
    World Politics

    Trump thinks NATO is “obsolete.” Here’s why he’s wrong.

    By Sean Illing
    Politics
    Why you should give a shit about Trump’s tariffs, explained by an economic historianWhy you should give a shit about Trump’s tariffs, explained by an economic historian
    Politics

    “In a trade war, everybody loses and nobody wins.”

    By Sean Illing
    Politics
    Why capitalism won’t survive without socialismWhy capitalism won’t survive without socialism
    Politics

    Eric Weinstein on the crisis of late capitalism.

    By Sean Illing
    Politics
    Why the death of democracy may be overhypedWhy the death of democracy may be overhyped
    Politics

    A political scientist pushes back against the doom-and-gloomers.

    By Sean Illing
    Politics
    A Princeton sociologist spent 8 years asking rural Americans why they’re so pissed offA Princeton sociologist spent 8 years asking rural Americans why they’re so pissed off
    Politics

    Hint: it’s not about the economy.

    By Sean Illing
    Supreme Court
    “Strict constructionism,” the judicial philosophy of Trump’s next SCOTUS pick, explained“Strict constructionism,” the judicial philosophy of Trump’s next SCOTUS pick, explained
    Supreme Court

    We’re not sure who Trump’s pick will be, but here’s what you need to know.

    By Sean Illing
    Politics
    The moral case against Trump’s travel banThe moral case against Trump’s travel ban
    Politics

    A political theorist on the ethics of Trump’s “Muslim ban”

    By Sean Illing
    The mind, explained
    A psychologist explains how to overcome social anxietyA psychologist explains how to overcome social anxiety
    The mind, explained

    Get out of your own head.

    By Sean Illing
    Immigration
    Why Border Patrol agents obey immoral ordersWhy Border Patrol agents obey immoral orders
    Immigration

    It’s more complicated than you think.

    By Sean Illing

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