![John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon stand at podiums during one of their four debates in 1960.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-615291544.jpg)
The Lost Lessons of the First Televised Presidential Debates The Lost Lessons of the First Televised Presidential Debates
In 1960, The Nation asked a collection of thinkers and critics to grapple with the significance of the televised debates between Nixon and Kennedy. Here’s what they said.
Jun 27, 2024 / Column / Richard Kreitner
![A Message From 1930: Zion Cannot Be Built on Bayonets](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Our_Back_Pages-Peace_Be_to_Zion.jpg)
A Message From 1930: Zion Cannot Be Built on Bayonets A Message From 1930: Zion Cannot Be Built on Bayonets
A hope for a more just future echoes across the decades from the pages of The Nation magazine.
Jun 19, 2024 / Editorial / Richard Kreitner
![American author, screenwriter, and satirist Terry Southern (1924–1995).](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Southern-Terry.jpg)
Why Terry Southern Was “the Most Useful Writer” in America Why Terry Southern Was “the Most Useful Writer” in America
The satirist, Nation critic, Dr. Strangelove cowriter, and “eggheaded prankster” was born exactly 100 years ago, and his work remains as relevant as ever.
May 1, 2024 / Column / Richard Kreitner
![Unhappy Birthday: NATO Is 75 Years Old Today](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kreitner-NATO-ftr.jpg)
Unhappy Birthday: NATO Is 75 Years Old Today Unhappy Birthday: NATO Is 75 Years Old Today
The Cold War alliance long ago outlived its usefulness. But then Nation contributors have been skeptical since the beginning.
Apr 4, 2024 / Our Back Pages / Richard Kreitner
![US history: Civil War: Emancipation Proclamation](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GettyImages-542425155.jpg)
Did the Constitution Pave the Way to Emancipation? Did the Constitution Pave the Way to Emancipation?
In his new book, The Crooked Path to Abolition, James Oakes argues that the Constitution was an antislavery document.
Oct 6, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Richard Kreitner
![Now Is Not the Time for Unity](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Biden-Thumbsup-gt-img.jpg)
Now Is Not the Time for Unity Now Is Not the Time for Unity
If Joe Biden stakes his presidency on compromise and comity, his presidency will be a failure.
Jan 15, 2021 / Richard Kreitner
![Young man looks at electoral map colored in with markers](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/new-zealanders-us-election-gt-img.jpg)
American Democracy Was Never Supposed to Work American Democracy Was Never Supposed to Work
Without a practical plan for revising the Constitution, Democrats will be condemned to play by rigged rules.
Nov 17, 2020 / Richard Kreitner
![Donald Trump pointing with Joe Biden in the background](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/trump-biden-debate-gt-img.jpg)
What History Tells Us About Trump’s Implosion and Biden’s Opportunity What History Tells Us About Trump’s Implosion and Biden’s Opportunity
Political scientist Stephen Skowronek discusses whether a President Biden could become an era-shaping leader.
Oct 12, 2020 / Q&A / Richard Kreitner
![The faces on Mt. Rushmore wearing surgical masks](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rushmore-surgical-masks-img.jpg)
When Confronting the Coronavirus, Federalism Is Part of the Problem When Confronting the Coronavirus, Federalism Is Part of the Problem
That some cities and states have stepped up to fill the gap left by Trump’s catastrophic failure is a matter of luck, not design.
Apr 1, 2020 / no-paywall / Richard Kreitner
![The Most Interesting and Important Things We Published in 1968](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive-1968-ArtWood_img.jpg)
The Most Interesting and Important Things We Published in 1968 The Most Interesting and Important Things We Published in 1968
The Nation’s coverage of a pivotal year.
Aug 2, 2018 / Feature / Richard Kreitner