13: What Unites Us

One is considered a libertarian, the other a Marxist humanist.

Can two eminent scholars from different fields and with disparate world-views share a meaningful conversation without driving each other crazy?

This seemed like a good time to find out, given the rancor that dominates today’s cultural and political discourse. So, we enlisted professors Vernon Smith and Peter McLaren in hopes that they might model a respectful exchange bridging ideological divides.

They didn’t disappoint.

Over six days in late January, they traded 53 emails totaling more than 12,000 words, touching on subjects ranging from early jobs to principal influences, liberation theology to economic necessity, the writings of Adam Smith to the teachings of Paulo Freire.