Hidden Lessons From Mad Men: What the Series Teaches About Advertising

October 10, 2026

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Mad Men has surged back into the public consciousness lately, with the New York Times naming it the third-best television series of the twenty-first century. (A few folks at The Dispatch would argue it deserves the top spot, but that’s a debate for another time.) In today’s American Artifacts, Christian Gonzalez, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, examines the show and explains why it offers rich lessons about morality—even when the characters aren’t exactly what we’d label as virtuous.

Pilar Marrero

Political reporting is approached with a strong interest in power, institutions, and the decisions that shape public life. Coverage focuses on U.S. and international politics, with clear, readable analysis of the events that influence the global conversation. Particular attention is given to the links between local developments and worldwide political shifts.