This is a conversation I had in May of 2023 with Jeff Tucker about his article, “Downton Abbey, the Corruption of the Great Families, and the Future of Freedom.” With a little hindsight, I now think Downton Abbey is one of the most subversive television shows of all time.

We talk about the show, its insights into the role of the “great families” in a free society, and also the massive transfer of wealth and power - from private to public - that took place during the period chronicled by the show, and which continues in spades in the 21st century.

We discuss the actual workings of a free society - something most Americans and Britons alive today have little direct experience with. We also discuss the “corruption” of the great families, and how the classes that have traditionally upheld individual liberty have now almost entirely defected to the side of the centralized state.

...and we talk about what comes next.

Jeff is Founder and President of the Brownstone Institute.

And oops! I never played that clip from the show! Here it is.

Here is a transcript of our conversation - it’s a new feature from Alitu, and I can’t vouch 100% for its accuracy!

I’ve just launched the “Fantastical Contraption” podcast!

The idea is for it to be a little corner of Old-Time Radio in the podcast space… with an ever-so slight classical liberal bent.

I’m starting with a reading of “Elixir of Fear” – the Halloween story that’s almost as scary as the last four years. Let me know what you think in the comments!