Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
April 30, 2026
Contributors
Joel Kotkin

How Gavin Newsom Ran California Into The Ground

John Papola sat down with Joel Kotkin to discuss how California’s utopian ideology and Gavin Newsom's disastrous governance have the turned the state into a cautionary tale.Joel breaks down how one-party rule became the norm in California, with the Democratic Party tying itself to both Silicon Valley oligarchs and public sector unions and leaving the middle class to fend for itself.With welfare fraud scandals in the news and Newsom's likely 2028 presidential run, Joel warns America about what's at stake if California's institutional and cultural failures go national.Subscribe and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss a single video!

Next up
Palisades Fire Arson Trial Begins as Prosecutors Detail Alleged Rage, Motive

Palisades Fire Arson Trial Begins as Prosecutors Detail Alleged Rage, Motive

Jun 10, 2026
7:46
Fascism on the March? with Joel Kotkin

Fascism on the March? with Joel Kotkin

Jun 8, 2026
No items found.

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?

We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.

Richard Samuelson
Politics
Apr 29, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Our Ability to Fight Foreign Terrorism Just Got Weaker

John Yoo
Politics
Jun 16, 2026
America Can’t Build for War Anymore

Arthur Herman
Politics
Jun 15, 2026
Policymakers Need to Get Tax Treatment of Litigation Funding Right

Michael Toth
Politics
Jun 15, 2026
Left-Wing Civil War Threatens LA’s Future

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Jun 11, 2026

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items

Palisades Fire Arson Trial Begins as Prosecutors Detail Alleged Rage, Motive

Politics
Jun 10, 2026
1:05

Fascism on the March? with Joel Kotkin

Politics
Jun 8, 2026
1:05

Minnesota Fraud Mastermind to Face Sentencing for $250 Million Scheme

Politics
May 19, 2026
1:05

"Get Real" With RCP's David Desrosiers: Voting Rights Act, New Affordability Agenda & Tax the Rich

Politics
May 11, 2026
1:05

May Day Protests Take Place Across the U.S.

Politics
May 1, 2026
1:05
No items found.
“Democratic” Socialism Is Undemocratic

By promoting class hatred, suppressing private initiative, and seeking enhanced control of our lives, today’s democratic socialists undermine patriotism and individual initiative—two qualities that have long distinguished the United States from other major nations.

David Lewis Schaefer
Politics
Jun 10, 2026
America Doesn’t Need to Fear the “Thucydides Trap”

While American leaders can learn much from the ancient Peloponnesian War, the lessons run counter to Xi Jinping’s purposes.

John Yoo
Politics
Jun 9, 2026
Will Alberta Leave Canada?

Premier Smith is trying to navigate a camel through the eye of a needle.

James Allan
Politics
Jun 4, 2026
The Transnational Conservative Project

Intellectual conservatism has proved to be both durable and versatile over the last 250 years, and there is little reason to believe that it will be any less versatile in the future.

Miles Smith IV
Politics
Jun 2, 2026
No items found.
No items found.
Join the newsletter

Get the Civitas Outlook daily digest, plus new research and events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.