Michael Fuerstein
@michaelfuerstein.bsky.social
Social and political philosopher at Saint Olaf College. Lapsed jazz musician. Author of *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress*, OUP 2024 (https://shorturl.at/knxWf)
Pinned
It took 1000 years, but my first book finally arrived in the world. Out now with OUP, just in time for the apocalyptic irrationality of American democracy to roar: *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress* (shorturl.at/knxWf)
Saint Olaf College is making a tenure track hire in feminist philosophy. We have great students, a lively, collegial department, and are near the vibrant twin cities metro area. Great job! Drop me a line with any questions. philjobs.org/job/show/29582
Assistant Professor, St. Olaf College
- PhilJobs:JFP
Assistant Professor, St. Olaf College
An international database of jobs for philosophers
philjobs.org
October 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Saint Olaf College is making a tenure track hire in feminist philosophy. We have great students, a lively, collegial department, and are near the vibrant twin cities metro area. Great job! Drop me a line with any questions. philjobs.org/job/show/29582
Democracy does occasionally work! My take on how and why, via the fascinating case of same sex marriage: aeon.co/essays/same-...
Same-sex marriage: propelled by democracy despite public ignorance | Aeon Essays
Same-sex marriage is an astonishing case of progress propelled by democracy, in the face of public spite and misinformation
aeon.co
September 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Democracy does occasionally work! My take on how and why, via the fascinating case of same sex marriage: aeon.co/essays/same-...
Really nice conversation with Jeffrey Church about democracy and social progress on The Political Theory Review podcast. Thanks to Jeffrey for making it happen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Michael Fuerstein - Experiments in Living Together
Podcast Episode · The Political Theory Review · 04/25/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
April 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Really nice conversation with Jeffrey Church about democracy and social progress on The Political Theory Review podcast. Thanks to Jeffrey for making it happen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
Some observations about France from Yascha Mounk
13 Observations about France
Reflections on an extended visit to Paris.
yaschamounk.substack.com
January 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Some observations about France from Yascha Mounk
A 🧵 Re Meta's elimination of fact-checkers:
1/ A strict "no-gatekeepers" norm is worse for truth, so long as the gatekeepers are trustworthy. But if the gatekeepers are appointed based on the financial interests/ideological whims of two oligarchs, the cost/benefit for society is unclear at best.
1/ A strict "no-gatekeepers" norm is worse for truth, so long as the gatekeepers are trustworthy. But if the gatekeepers are appointed based on the financial interests/ideological whims of two oligarchs, the cost/benefit for society is unclear at best.
January 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A 🧵 Re Meta's elimination of fact-checkers:
1/ A strict "no-gatekeepers" norm is worse for truth, so long as the gatekeepers are trustworthy. But if the gatekeepers are appointed based on the financial interests/ideological whims of two oligarchs, the cost/benefit for society is unclear at best.
1/ A strict "no-gatekeepers" norm is worse for truth, so long as the gatekeepers are trustworthy. But if the gatekeepers are appointed based on the financial interests/ideological whims of two oligarchs, the cost/benefit for society is unclear at best.
Had a delightful conversation with @roberttalisse.bsky.social on the New Books in Philosophy podcast. We talked about my *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress (OUP 2024)*. Thank you, Robert!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Michael Fuerstein,
Podcast Episode · New Books in Philosophy · 01/01/2025 · 1h 10m
podcasts.apple.com
January 4, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Had a delightful conversation with @roberttalisse.bsky.social on the New Books in Philosophy podcast. We talked about my *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress (OUP 2024)*. Thank you, Robert!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
a short thread of Nicolas Cage resembling various philosophers
1. Spinoza
1. Spinoza
December 19, 2024 at 12:05 PM
a short thread of Nicolas Cage resembling various philosophers
1. Spinoza
1. Spinoza
Political theorists: What are your favorite (in the sense of most interesting to engage with) conservative and left/Marxist critiques of democracy? I'm looking for stuff I can assign to undergraduates. Refreshing my "Democracy: Rule of the Ignorant?" syllabus. Thanks!
December 11, 2024 at 3:52 PM
Political theorists: What are your favorite (in the sense of most interesting to engage with) conservative and left/Marxist critiques of democracy? I'm looking for stuff I can assign to undergraduates. Refreshing my "Democracy: Rule of the Ignorant?" syllabus. Thanks!
My working music for the day: "A Winged Victory for the Sullen" (eponymous).
The best "ambient," between acoustic and electronic. Sustained strings, piano chords, ambiguous wind instruments, but also meticulously chosen synth sounds. Calming but not new-agey.
open.spotify.com/album/6vygse...
The best "ambient," between acoustic and electronic. Sustained strings, piano chords, ambiguous wind instruments, but also meticulously chosen synth sounds. Calming but not new-agey.
open.spotify.com/album/6vygse...
A Winged Victory for the Sullen
A Winged Victory for the Sullen · Album · 2011 · 7 songs
open.spotify.com
December 4, 2024 at 5:24 PM
My working music for the day: "A Winged Victory for the Sullen" (eponymous).
The best "ambient," between acoustic and electronic. Sustained strings, piano chords, ambiguous wind instruments, but also meticulously chosen synth sounds. Calming but not new-agey.
open.spotify.com/album/6vygse...
The best "ambient," between acoustic and electronic. Sustained strings, piano chords, ambiguous wind instruments, but also meticulously chosen synth sounds. Calming but not new-agey.
open.spotify.com/album/6vygse...
The idea that presidents would refrain from pardoning family members or political allies seem like a naive, nutty vestige of an era when the principle of "be ethical" was a plausible constraint on political actors.
December 4, 2024 at 3:58 PM
The idea that presidents would refrain from pardoning family members or political allies seem like a naive, nutty vestige of an era when the principle of "be ethical" was a plausible constraint on political actors.
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
In all the post-election analysis, I feel like this is the picture that we most need to understand.
November 19, 2024 at 1:20 AM
In all the post-election analysis, I feel like this is the picture that we most need to understand.
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
Rutgers political philosophy representing with two new OUP books, and two of the only Cuban-American political philosophers also representing with those same two books…
Check out Lottocracy and Boxed In!
Check out Lottocracy and Boxed In!
November 24, 2024 at 2:06 AM
Rutgers political philosophy representing with two new OUP books, and two of the only Cuban-American political philosophers also representing with those same two books…
Check out Lottocracy and Boxed In!
Check out Lottocracy and Boxed In!
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
I've started an American philosophy/pragmatism starter pack. Let me know if you want to be added, and spread the word!
go.bsky.app/5FHqkJM
go.bsky.app/5FHqkJM
November 18, 2024 at 4:51 PM
I've started an American philosophy/pragmatism starter pack. Let me know if you want to be added, and spread the word!
go.bsky.app/5FHqkJM
go.bsky.app/5FHqkJM
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
Social Epistemologists: I was trying to populate a starter pack for us manually but got lazy and thought it would be much more fun to turn this into a game!
Post a link to your favourite paper you wrote on the topic below with a post-length abstract and I’ll add you to it!
#PhilSky #SocEpis
Post a link to your favourite paper you wrote on the topic below with a post-length abstract and I’ll add you to it!
#PhilSky #SocEpis
November 27, 2024 at 1:31 PM
My working music for today:
A seamless two-hour, genre-spanning, cross-fading narrative masterpiece of musical delights. No lyrics (except for a tiny bit of sampled talking at the outset). Mellow enough to simmer in the background, but will reward attention if given.
soundcloud.com/otherpeopler...
A seamless two-hour, genre-spanning, cross-fading narrative masterpiece of musical delights. No lyrics (except for a tiny bit of sampled talking at the outset). Mellow enough to simmer in the background, but will reward attention if given.
soundcloud.com/otherpeopler...
OP 𓅛 mix 6 - Nicolas Jaar - (BBC Essential Mix 2012)
Other People is a record label started in New York City in 2013 by Nicolás Jaar. In its 10 years of existence, it has featured the sonic work of over 70 music releases, highlights include Terepa (2015
soundcloud.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:49 PM
My working music for today:
A seamless two-hour, genre-spanning, cross-fading narrative masterpiece of musical delights. No lyrics (except for a tiny bit of sampled talking at the outset). Mellow enough to simmer in the background, but will reward attention if given.
soundcloud.com/otherpeopler...
A seamless two-hour, genre-spanning, cross-fading narrative masterpiece of musical delights. No lyrics (except for a tiny bit of sampled talking at the outset). Mellow enough to simmer in the background, but will reward attention if given.
soundcloud.com/otherpeopler...
"...it isn’t merely about replacing a public system with private options. The ultimate goal is to move away from any shared responsibility for other people’s children."
This past summer, @thenation.com excerpted the first chapter of my new book with @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social. Access it here:
This past summer, @thenation.com excerpted the first chapter of my new book with @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social. Access it here:
Why "Fund Students, Not Systems" Is a Recipe for Disaster
When the "Race to the Top" becomes winner take all, students are the big losers. And as the stakes grow higher and higher, public education falls further behind.
www.thenation.com
November 25, 2024 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
The victory march of democracy has ended
What can we as researchers do?
In the Scandinavian countries, a particular tool is available: Democracy & Power Studies.
The Danish government appointed me as director of such a study. We started our work this year.
A 🧵 on what we do & how we do it
1/8
What can we as researchers do?
In the Scandinavian countries, a particular tool is available: Democracy & Power Studies.
The Danish government appointed me as director of such a study. We started our work this year.
A 🧵 on what we do & how we do it
1/8
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
The victory march of democracy has ended
What can we as researchers do?
In the Scandinavian countries, a particular tool is available: Democracy & Power Studies.
The Danish government appointed me as director of such a study. We started our work this year.
A 🧵 on what we do & how we do it
1/8
What can we as researchers do?
In the Scandinavian countries, a particular tool is available: Democracy & Power Studies.
The Danish government appointed me as director of such a study. We started our work this year.
A 🧵 on what we do & how we do it
1/8
Working music for today: Vikingur Olafsson's "Reflections."
The most soulful classical album I have yet heard. If Bill Evans played Debussy. Love the recording, super intimate - hammers clacking on some tracks. Winter music.
What are you working to?
open.spotify.com/album/5BvQCA...
The most soulful classical album I have yet heard. If Bill Evans played Debussy. Love the recording, super intimate - hammers clacking on some tracks. Winter music.
What are you working to?
open.spotify.com/album/5BvQCA...
Reflections
Víkingur Ólafsson · Album · 2021 · 16 songs
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Working music for today: Vikingur Olafsson's "Reflections."
The most soulful classical album I have yet heard. If Bill Evans played Debussy. Love the recording, super intimate - hammers clacking on some tracks. Winter music.
What are you working to?
open.spotify.com/album/5BvQCA...
The most soulful classical album I have yet heard. If Bill Evans played Debussy. Love the recording, super intimate - hammers clacking on some tracks. Winter music.
What are you working to?
open.spotify.com/album/5BvQCA...
My working music of the day:
open.spotify.com/album/0aoOdl...
One of the vibiest recordings ever. Miles seems to be standing 1000 miles off of the mic sometimes. The harmon mute. Brushes on the drums. Reverb. Late nights in big cities, tragic thoughts, Paris...
open.spotify.com/album/0aoOdl...
One of the vibiest recordings ever. Miles seems to be standing 1000 miles off of the mic sometimes. The harmon mute. Brushes on the drums. Reverb. Late nights in big cities, tragic thoughts, Paris...
Ascenseur pour l'échafaud
Miles Davis · Album · 1958 · 27 songs
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2024 at 2:07 PM
My working music of the day:
open.spotify.com/album/0aoOdl...
One of the vibiest recordings ever. Miles seems to be standing 1000 miles off of the mic sometimes. The harmon mute. Brushes on the drums. Reverb. Late nights in big cities, tragic thoughts, Paris...
open.spotify.com/album/0aoOdl...
One of the vibiest recordings ever. Miles seems to be standing 1000 miles off of the mic sometimes. The harmon mute. Brushes on the drums. Reverb. Late nights in big cities, tragic thoughts, Paris...
Political philosophers/theorists: What are you assigning your undergraduates to help them make sense of authoritarian populism? I like Jan-Werner Müller's *What is Populism?*, though I think it does a better job of explaining how populism works than why humanity is perpetually tempted by it.
November 21, 2024 at 1:51 PM
Political philosophers/theorists: What are you assigning your undergraduates to help them make sense of authoritarian populism? I like Jan-Werner Müller's *What is Populism?*, though I think it does a better job of explaining how populism works than why humanity is perpetually tempted by it.
1/2
I listen to music constantly while I'm working. So I have a deep rotation of stuff, assembled over the years.
For me, good "working music" means: (a) no words, (b) mellow enough to sit in the background, (c) varied enough to keep my mind going, (d) compelling even if I'm actively listening.
I listen to music constantly while I'm working. So I have a deep rotation of stuff, assembled over the years.
For me, good "working music" means: (a) no words, (b) mellow enough to sit in the background, (c) varied enough to keep my mind going, (d) compelling even if I'm actively listening.
November 20, 2024 at 3:01 PM
1/2
I listen to music constantly while I'm working. So I have a deep rotation of stuff, assembled over the years.
For me, good "working music" means: (a) no words, (b) mellow enough to sit in the background, (c) varied enough to keep my mind going, (d) compelling even if I'm actively listening.
I listen to music constantly while I'm working. So I have a deep rotation of stuff, assembled over the years.
For me, good "working music" means: (a) no words, (b) mellow enough to sit in the background, (c) varied enough to keep my mind going, (d) compelling even if I'm actively listening.
Reposted by Michael Fuerstein
Meet Trump’s new Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon
November 20, 2024 at 6:49 AM
Meet Trump’s new Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon
My undergrads just read Daniel Bell's *The China Model*. Last week I asked them to imagine that they could push a button which would instantly replace the U.S. Senate with the top 100 performers on a test combining (i) knowledge of economics, philosophy, law, and history +...
November 19, 2024 at 3:00 PM
My undergrads just read Daniel Bell's *The China Model*. Last week I asked them to imagine that they could push a button which would instantly replace the U.S. Senate with the top 100 performers on a test combining (i) knowledge of economics, philosophy, law, and history +...
It took 1000 years, but my first book finally arrived in the world. Out now with OUP, just in time for the apocalyptic irrationality of American democracy to roar: *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress* (shorturl.at/knxWf)
November 19, 2024 at 2:47 PM
It took 1000 years, but my first book finally arrived in the world. Out now with OUP, just in time for the apocalyptic irrationality of American democracy to roar: *Experiments in Living Together: How Democracy Drives Social Progress* (shorturl.at/knxWf)