The Academy of Philosophy & Letters

2018 Annual Conference

June 1-3, 2018

College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, College Park, MD

“Populism and the Failure of Elites”

It is no secret that political events of the past two years, including Brexit and of course Donald Trump’s nomination and election, have thrown a spotlight on “populism.”  Long a neglected topic, there is now widespread recognition of the importance of understanding what populism is, whether it is truly rising, and precisely what this means, for good or for ill.  The apparent rise of populism has likewise highlighted failures of elites.  While most obvious was the failure of elites to grasp public sentiment enough even to anticipate the victories of either Brexit or Trump, more important was the fact that those victories reflected longstanding, profound failures of elite governance and of elite economic and cultural dominance.  But who exactly are these elites, how and why have they failed, and how do we move forward?

Keynote speakers include Julius Krein (Editor, American Affairs), Joshua Mitchell (Georgetown University), and Michael Glennon (Tufts University). 

See Full Program.

Conference Schedule

FRIDAY, JUNE 1st

5:00 Registration

6:00 Reception/Cash Bar

7:00 Dinner

Welcome: Ryan R. Holston, VMI, President of APL

Chair: Michael Federici, MTSU

Keynote Speaker: Joshua Mitchell, Georgetown University

9:00 Cocktails in The Common

SATURDAY, JUNE 2nd

8:00-8:30 Late Registration

8:30-10:30 “Populism & Conservatism”

Chair: William F. Byrne, St. Johns University, NY

Mike Church, Veritas Radio Network

Jude Dougherty, The Catholic University of America

Robert Delfino, St. Johns University, NY

Robert Koons, The University of Texas-Austin

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:45 “Populism & Culture”

Chair: Andrew Balio, The Future Symphony Institute

Dean Abbott, Nazarene College

Claes G. Ryn, The Catholic University of America, Center for the Study of Statesmanship

Ryan Wilson, The Catholic University of America

12:45-1:00 Break

1:00-2:30 Lunch

Chair: Claes G. Ryn, The Catholic University of America, Center for the Study of Statesmanship

Keynote Speaker: Michael Glennon, Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

2:30-3:30 Break

3:30-5:30 “Populism & Foreign Policy”

Chair: William Smith, The Catholic University of America, Center for the Study of Statesmanship

Lowell Gustafson, Villanova University

Col. Larry Wilkerson, The College of William and Mary

Monica Toft, Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

5:30-6:30 Break

6:30-7:30 Cash Bar

7:30 Dinner

8:00 Keynote Address

Chair: Daniel McCarthy, Modern Age

Keynote Speaker: Julius Krein, American Affairs Journal

9:00 Cocktails in The Common

SUNDAY, JUNE 3rd

9:00-10:00 Member Meeting and Breakfast (Members Only)

10:00-12:00 “Populism & Governance”

Chair: Ryan R. Holston, VMI

Bruce Frohnen, Ohio Northern University

Jesse Merriam, Loyola University Maryland

Jay Schalin, The James Martin Center for Academic Renewal

Anne Wiles, James Madison University

12:00-2:00pm  Meeting of APL Board of Directors and Officers