Students, faculty, and members of the Durham community came together for an insightful discussion on leadership, liberty, and public service featuring Art Pope, a prominent figure in North Carolina politics and philanthropy. Organized by Polis: Center for Politics and moderated by John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation, the event provided an opportunity to gain firsthand insights into Pope’s extensive career, which spans roles as a four-term state legislator, state budget director, special counsel to a governor, and leader of multiple policy organizations.

After a brief introduction by Professor Abdullah Antepli, the Director of Polis: Center for Politics, Mr. Pope walked the audience through the formative years of his life. Pope, who earned his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his JD from Duke, shared his intellectual journey—from his early fascination with Adam Smith and John Locke in high school to his later engagement with Robert Nozick and John Rawls during law school. He recounted his brief exploration of libertarianism before eventually embracing a kind of fusionist conservatism around the time of the Reagan administration.

Reflecting on North Carolina’s shifting political dynamics, Pope described his efforts to challenge the Democratic Party’s long-standing dominance and build a competitive alternative. He spoke about his involvement in the North Carolina Republican Party, including his role in Jim Martin’s successful gubernatorial campaign, and emphasized his commitment to advancing a conservatism grounded in principle. Pope also addressed his reservations about Donald Trump’s candidacy in 2016, noting that Trump had been his last choice of the viable Republican options in that election.

A key theme of the discussion was the role of philanthropy in public life. Pope highlighted the complexities of charitable giving, stressing the importance of supporting authentic grassroots initiatives rather than artificial “astroturf” efforts. He underscored that meaningful philanthropy requires a commitment to fostering organic, community-driven solutions.

The evening concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students and faculty alike posed questions about governance, public service, and the intersection of policy and philanthropy. Pope encouraged attendees to engage thoughtfully in political discourse and emphasized the need for principled leadership in shaping the future of American governance.