Foundations of Freedom Series: America’s Forgotten Inheritance
Season 5 | Episode 9
57m | Jul 2, 2026In Episode 04 of the Foundations of Freedom series, America’s Forgotten Inheritance, Dr. Anne Bradley sits down with Dr. John Lenczowski, Founder, Chancellor, and President Emeritus of The Institute of World Politics, to examine why America’s founding principles still matter for national security, statecraft, and civic life.
The conversation explores the decline of civic education, the importance of studying American political philosophy, and why students preparing for careers in intelligence, diplomacy, military service, and policy need to understand the country they may one day defend or represent. Dr. Lenczowski explains why the Founders’ view of human nature shaped the Constitution, why economics must be understood as a foundation for human flourishing, and why utopian thinking can distort foreign policy judgment.
The episode also turns to the ideological challenges facing America today, including the appeal of socialism among younger generations, the consequences of historical ignorance, and the role of foreign propaganda in shaping public opinion. As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this episode asks whether a nation can preserve freedom if it forgets the inheritance that made freedom possible.

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