This week on WONK, leading conservative thinker Sean Speer talks political instability and the challenges of state capacity

On lists of influential people to watch, Sean Speer is often described as a guide, an influencer and a conservative who is committed to policy. He was senior economic adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Today, he’s an editor-at-large at The Hub, the conservative leaning news and opinion website. And he’s a leading thinker on the ideas behind conservatism as a political movement. He talks to host Edward Greenspon about what’s driving political instability in the world and breaks down the increasingly pressing question of state capacity.

Listen now anywhere you get your podcasts.

Listen to more episodes from Season 2 of WONK:

Steve Verheul on what a Trump victory could mean for Canada

Janice Stein on what’s wrong with the world — and what Canada can do

Raven Lacerte on a movement to end violence against women and children

Dr. Jane Philpott on getting every Canadian a family doctor

R.J. Simpson on why the North is hot right now 

David Campbell on what’s driving Atlantic Canada’s big boom

And see what you might have missed in Season 1 of WONK.