Is assimilation racist?

Should immigrants have to assimilate? Jerusalem Demsas and Matt Yglesias take on the growing idea that immigrants shouldn't have to assimilate to belong in America. Jerusalem, the daughter of immigrants, disagrees, and makes the case that assimilation is not only good for the country but that immigrants largely self-select for liking America. The conversation turns to patriotism, and why Jerusalem thinks the left has ceded the American flag to the right by defining the country entirely by its worst chapters.

Plus a peer review of a buzzy new paper claiming the iPhone is responsible for a significant decline in birth rates, and why they both think the number is too wild to be true.

(00:00) Should immigrants have to assimilate?
(08:24) Why Europe's assimilation panic doesn't fit America
(14:21) Assimilate to what? The liberal democracy line
(22:59) The "emerging Democratic majority" own-goal
(30:39) Cultivating "Americanness" and bilingual education
(39:09) Teaching the norms: the Germany shower story
(45:14) Why America beats Europe at assimilation
(50:10) Reclaiming patriotism for the left
(57:05) Don't Tread on Me and bringing back the Pledge
(01:01:20) Peer Review: Is the iPhone birth control?

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The Argument is produced by Justin Zuckerman, fact-checked by Eli Richman, with music by Breakmaster Cylinder and art by Ben Tousley.

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