David Brooks (commentator)

David Brooks (commentator) is a prominent American conservative political and cultural commentator, author, and columnist. He is best known for his long-running column in The New York Times and as a regular analyst on PBS NewsHour and NPR's All Things Considered. Brooks's work often explores themes of morality, social psychology, and the intersection of culture and politics in contemporary American society.

Early life and education

David Brooks was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. He attended Radnor High School in Pennsylvania before enrolling at the University of Chicago. At the University of Chicago, he was influenced by the teachings of philosopher Leo Strauss and the intellectual historian Allan Bloom, graduating with a degree in History in 1983. His early journalistic career began immediately after college with an internship at the City News Bureau of Chicago, a famed wire service training ground.

Career

Brooks's professional writing career started at the Washington Times and later at the Wall Street Journal, where he served as an op-ed editor. He gained wider recognition as a senior editor at The Weekly Standard upon its founding in 1995. In 2003, he joined The New York Times as a columnist, succeeding the late William Safire on the paper's op-ed page. Beyond his print work, Brooks has been a fixture on public broadcasting, contributing to PBS NewsHour and appearing as a commentator on programs like Meet the Press. He has also been a contributing writer for The Atlantic and taught a course on Humility at Yale University.

Political views and commentary

Often described as a compassionate conservative or a reform conservative, Brooks's commentary frequently critiques both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. He has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and what he terms the "populist" wing of the GOP, while also expressing concerns about the progressive left. His columns synthesize insights from sociology, philosophy, and psychology, drawing on thinkers like Alexis de Tocqueville, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Jonathan Haidt to advocate for a politics centered on community, moral formation, and Social capital. He co-founded the Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.

Published works

Brooks is the author of several bestselling non-fiction books that expand on his journalistic themes. His works include Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There (2000), which analyzed the rise of the "bourgeois bohemian"; On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense (2004); The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement (2011), which explored unconscious decision-making; and The Road to Character (2015), which contrasted "résumé virtues" with "eulogy virtues." His most recent book is The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life (2019).

Personal life

David Brooks married Sarah Brooks, a historical researcher, in 1997. The couple has three children and resides in Washington, D.C. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1983. Brooks has been open about his personal spiritual journey, identifying with the Jewish faith and exploring various religious traditions in his writing. He serves on the board of trustees for the University of Chicago and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Category:American political commentators Category:The New York Times people Category:1961 births Category:Living people