Matter of Opinion

Strongmen are making a comeback. The hyperlibertarian Javier Milei in Argentina and the anti-immigration Geert Wilders in the Netherlands are among a growing group of recently elected leaders who promise to break a few rules, shake up democratic institutions and spread a populist message. Is it a reaction against the failures of liberal democracies? Or is there something else behind the appeal of these misbehaving men with wild hair? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts debate where the urge to turn to strongmen is coming from and whether it’s such a bad thing after all. Plus, young listeners share their formative political moments, even in the middle of class. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) If you've been inspired to call in, we're still taking your thoughts for our end-of-the-year episode. We're looking for two things, either a question you've been dying to ask us, or a topic you'd like to hear if we're hot or cold on. You can email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com, or leave us a voicemail at 212-556-7440. We may play some of it in a future episode. Mentioned in this episode: Rachel Maddow Presents: UltraThis Country Seemed Immune to Far-Right Politics. Then Came a Corruption Scandal.

Though the “Matter of Opinion” crew is off this week, Michelle Cottle is eagerly awaiting the season finale of the first-ever “Golden Bachelor.” This older spin on the “Bachelor” franchise has proved to be a surprisingly apt funhouse mirror depiction of how America avoids the realities of its aging baby boomer population. And Michelle is here for it — in all its “weird glory.” This audio essay was originally made for the NYT Audio App, free for Times subscribers in the Apple App Store. We’ll be back with a regular episode next week, but in the meantime, send us a question or a topic you’d like to hear if we’re hot or cold on by emailing matterofopinion@nytimes.com. Or leave us a voice mail at 212-556-7440. We may use it in a future episode.

What’s your earliest political memory? That’s the question Professor Carlos Lozada puts to his co-hosts this week on “Matter of Opinion.” The hosts discuss the coups and presidential pinings of their youths before debating what political events may be shaping the attitudes of younger voters today. Plus, the documentary Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce need to see. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) If you’re under 30 and want to share your formative political experience with us, leave a voicemail by calling 212-556-7440 and we may play some of it in a future episode. Mentioned in this episode: Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care

The election results on Tuesday made it clear that voters support Democratic policies and state politicians — but new polling shows they don’t love the president. On this week’s episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts share their takeaways from the voting, and what it all means for 2024. Also, your calls about your presidential fantasy matchups. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: October 2023 Times/Siena Poll of the 2024 BattlegroundsThe Woke Burnout is Real — and Politics is Catching Up Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com.

The polls are clear: Neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump has the full confidence of American voters. But is Biden’s latest competition, Democratic Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota, the answer to voters’ malaise? Or perhaps an independent candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? On this week’s episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts imagine their own alternative candidates for 2024 and debate what good — if any — could come from long-shot contenders. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: Dean Phillips Has a Warning for Democrats Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com. If you want to share your dream matchups for the 2024 presidential election, leave us a voice mail message at (212) 556-7440. We may use excerpts from your message in a future episode.

Will technology — and the people who make it — lead us into a better future? Or a worse one? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss Elon Musk, techno-optimism and the manifesto taking Silicon Valley by storm. Plus, we learn that Ross wears dad drag. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com. Mentioned in this episode: The Techno-Optimist Manifesto

This week, the Opinion columnist and former New York Times Jerusalem bureau chief Thomas L. Friedman joins the “Matter of Opinion” hosts to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East and the mistakes that led to this moment (he’s looking at you, Benjamin Netanyahu). (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: Why Israel is Acting This Way

On today’s episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss the global response to the war between Israel and Hamas. What domestic and international strings are attached to U.S. support in the region? And what will that support signal to rival hostile powers? (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Administration’s National Security Strategy — October 2022There Is Not Yet an ‘Axis of Evil,’ but a New Reality for America in the Holy Land

Now that Kevin McCarthy is no longer speaker, who’s in charge of the Republicans, and is this overthrow what voters actually want? Today on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss the future of a deeply divided G.O.P. and debate what it means to be a Republican now. Plus, an argument for revisiting an elementary-school classic. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: What Explains Educational Polarization Among White Voters?Neither Party Well-Liked, but G.O.P. Holds Advantage on Issues

In 2020, Joe Biden handily beat Donald Trump in a race that was never particularly close. But now that the twice-impeached and four-times-indicted former president may once again be the Republican nominee, polls suggest they might be even, at best. Why isn’t Biden doing better? Has his presidency really gone so poorly? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss the uphill battle Biden is facing heading into 2024 and debate what kind of leader Americans really want. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: Reagan Should Not Seek Second Term, Majority Believes

Americans are sick of business as usual. This year alone, more than 275 strikes have broken out across the country, and last week, nearly 13,000 members of the United Auto Workers joined the picket line to demand a better deal with their employers. So what’s going on with work in America? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts break down how a changing economy and technological innovations are complicating the worker-employer relationship. Lydia offers some insight from her experience as the big boss on the other side of the bargaining table. Ross asks how little work The Times should pay him to do. And ultimately, the hosts debate the question: In today’s world, what role should work play in our lives? (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: Is College Worth It?Biden E.V. Agenda Threatens U.S. Auto IndustryWhy Americans Care About Work So Much

Hundreds of thousands of migrants, many seeking asylum, have arrived in the United States over the last year, overwhelming already-strained resources in cities and states across the country. Last week, in arguably one of the most immigration-friendly cities in the country, Mayor Eric Adams said that migrants would “destroy New York City.” This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss how the “border crisis” has come to frustrate Democratic politicians further north, and why the conversation about immigration is always actually about who we are as Americans. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.) Mentioned in this episode: Michael Bloomberg: How Biden and Congress Should Fix the Immigration Crisis in Our CitiesAmericans Still Value Immigration, but Have Concerns

Classrooms have been a key battleground in the so-called woke wars for years now. But could the debate over how schools teach history, race, gender and sexuality be coming to an end? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts look at signs that these wedge issues are no longer dividing us, ask whether we have reached “peak woke” and disagree on whether it’s even worth fighting about wokeness at all. Mentioned in this episode:

It’s been 18 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. No true negotiations have happened. As the stalemate continues, what role should the United States play in the fight? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss how the war is playing out at home and whether there’s actually more American enthusiasm for invading Mexico. Plus, a trip back in time to a magical land of sorcerers and “Yo! MTV Raps.” Mentioned in this episode: An Unwinnable WarThe Runaway General,

The first Republican primary debate of the 2024 election is over. Chris Christie wiggled his fingers. Nikki Haley took Vivek Ramaswamy to the woodshed. Tim Scott was a “nonentity.” And then there was that elephant decidedly not in the room, Donald Trump, who instead spent his evening raving about water pressure to Tucker Carlson. As the former president is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail, the Matter of Opinion hosts discuss what we learned from the first G.O.P. debate — and what it means when everyone in the party is still desperate to both be Trump, and be rid of him. (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

It happened. A jury in Georgia indicted Donald Trump and 18 of his closest co-defendants. Which can only mean one thing: Michelle is thrilled. So even though Matter of Opinion is taking a break this week, Michelle grabbed Opinion colleague David French, a former litigator, to break down her “favorite” indictment and analyze what’s got Rudy Giuliani into “a world of hurt.” (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available midday on the Times website.)

Donald Trump was impeached twice. He has been indicted three times. He lost the 2020 election. And yet he’s the clear Republican front-runner for 2024. Today on “Matter of Opinion,” Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat and Carlos Lozada explore how Trump has created a winning political strategy and what his potential nomination could mean for Joe Biden, the Republican Party and the future of the country. Mentioned in this episode: The Normal Paths to Beating Trump Are Closing,The Right Way to Resist TrumpTrump and Allies Forge Plans to Increase Presidential Power in 2025

Elite colleges are facing a reckoning over their admissions practices. But is there a case for upholding policies that give preferential treatment to some students? On this episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts examine whether it really matters if you go to Harvard and what the upside could be of favoring family connections. Mentioned in this episode: Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Consequences of Admission to Highly Selective Colleges

Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster hit “Oppenheimer” tells the story of the father of the atomic bomb and the invention he hoped would end all wars. (Spoiler alert: It did not.) On “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss how history should view J. Robert Oppenheimer — naïve martyr or crybaby? — and whether we have more to fear from nuclear weapons in the age of artificial intelligence. Mentioned in this episode: Cry Baby Scientist’: What Oppenheimer the Film Gets Wrong About Oppenheimer the Man,Thank God for the Atom Bomb More from Opinion: The Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,Our Oppenheimer Moment: The Creation of A.I. WeaponsHow to Stop a Nuclear WarA Look Back at Our Future War With China

On this week’s “Matter of Opinion,” Michelle, Ross, Carlos and Lydia offer their recommendations for your summer reading and lay out what they’re excited to dive into themselves. Plus, listener book picks. Books mentioned in this episode: From Michelle: From Lydia: From Carlos: From Ross: From Matter of Opinion listeners: More from the hosts: How 'The Great Brain' Explains AmericaMy Fantasy BookshelfA Look Back at Our Future War With China