Atlantic Unbound Archive

Ross Douthat

Ross DouthatRoss Douthat joined the Atlantic staff as a reporter/researcher in 2002. Now a senior editor, he writes on topics ranging from higher education to national politics to celebrities' religious conversions.

Ross is 2002 graduate of Harvard University, and his Ivy League experience inspired his 2005 book Privilege: Harvard and the Education of the Ruling Class, which Booklist called a "withering indictment of Harvard's institutional culture," and The Wall Street Journal praised for its "rare lyricism." He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, National Review, Policy Review, and Details. A native of New Haven, Connecticut, he now lives in Washington, D.C.

His latest writings can be found on the Ross Douthat blog.

Recent articles by Ross Douthat

October 2008

Groundhog Day

The GOP’s future looks a lot like the Democratic Party’s past—the question is, which past?

October 2008

Is Pornography Adultery?

It may be closer than you think.

July/August 2008

Mass-Market Atheism

June 2008

Redeeming Dubya

The national memory often confuses hubris with greatness. That’s good news for George W. Bush.

May 2008

E Pluribus Nixon

A sweeping new social history portrays Richard Nixon as the president his fratricidal country deserved—and perhaps the best we could have hoped for.

April 2008

The Return of the Paranoid Style

How the Iraq War and George W. Bush sent the movie industry back to its favorite era—the 1970s [Web only: Video: "Hollywood's Vietnam Moment"]

February 28, 2008

"We're On Our Way Home Now, Duckie!"

Sailing, swimming, and sipping nightcaps with William F. Buckley Jr.

September 2007

Blue Period

Can the Democrats succeed where Karl Rove failed?

July/August 2007

Crises of Faith

America is becoming more secular; Europe is becoming more religious. Both trends could mean trouble.

March 2007

It’s His Party

Bush is fading. Bush Republicanism is here to stay.

January/February 2007

The God of Small Things

Decoding genomes wasn't enough. Now Craig Venter wants to end our oil addiction.

December 2006

They Made America

Who are the most influential figures in American history? The Atlantic recently asked ten eminent historians. The result was The Atlantic’s Top 100—and some insight into the nature of influence and the contingency of history. Was Walt Disney really more influential than Elizabeth Cady Stanton? Benjamin Spock than Richard Nixon? Elvis Presley than Lewis and Clark? John D. Rockefeller than Bill Gates? Babe Ruth than Frank Lloyd Wright? Let the debates begin.

July/August 2006

Leaps of Faith

When pop stars get religion.

April 2006

Gingrich's Long Game

The former speaker of the House is looking for a second act. Will he get it?

January/February 2006

Primary Sources

The religion effect; a less violent world; one (very good) reason to resist early retirement.

December 2005

Primary Sources

Will Saudi Arabia's Shiites remain docile?; Europe's dim view (quelle surprise!) of the United States; new doctors as menaces; the fairer, cleaner sex.

November 2005

Primary Sources

Post-Gaza Israel; the travails of black cabbies; the (continuing) migration of the Electoral College; how to spot a spy.

November 2005

Does Meritocracy Work?

Not if society and colleges keep failing to distinguish between wealth and merit.

October 2005

Primary Sources

The prospects for a united Korea; a new study of old studies; TV dads gain financial ground; AIDS in the Islamic world.

September 2005

Primary Sources

Terrorism tallies; do good grades cost minority kids popularity?; the long-term benefits of nonviolence; why athletes should wear red.

July/August 2005

Primary Sources

A liberal's case for the death penalty; can Iraq stop worrying about Iran?; bottomless appetites; congressional cheats.

May 2005

The Apocalypse, Rated PG

Can a socially conservative Christian Republican succeed in Hollywood? Philip Anschutz is betting he can.

March 2005

The Truth About Harvard

It may be hard to get into Harvard, but it's easy to get out without learning much of enduring value at all. A recent graduate's report.

January/February 2005

A Muslim Europe?

[This article is unavailable online.]

December 2004

Primary Sources

Federal air marshals behaving badly; why women get less sleep than men; divorce among born-again Christians.

November 2004

Rebranding America

Promoting "Brand America"

September 2004

The God Vote

June 2004

Kerry’s Secret Weapon?

Hundreds of thousands of swing-state radio listeners may turn the unlikely Howard Stern into a presidential kingmaker.