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Latest Episodes:

Episode 14 - Anand Giridharadas on Big Philanthropy & Antonio Gramsci Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

This time we discuss Anand Giridharadas's book Winners Take All about the ideological underpinnings and functions of elite philanthropy. Then (about 30:00) we discuss how the book illustrates the basic insights of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci on ideology, hegemony, and the role of intellectuals in politics.

Episode 13 - Karl Polanyi Nov 02, 2018

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In this episode (recorded some time ago) we discuss the ongoing insight and relevance of Karl Polanyi, whose brilliant work The Great Transformation continues to shed light on modern political economy.

Episode 12 - Fascist Violence, David Hume, & Judith Butler Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we consider the grim news of the #MAGABomber, the synagogue shooting, the election of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, and what Hume and Butler might teach us about this.

Unfortunately, Alexi had a technical malfunction, so the audio quality is somewhat below par on his end.

Episode 11 - Leftist Foreign Policy & Francis Fukuyama Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we welcome new guest Emma Steiner to talk about Bernie Sanders' recent foreign policy speech, how leftists should think about the issue, David Klion's recent review of Obama adviser Ben Rhodes' new book, and finally the group blog Fellow Travelers (which just published a piece by Representative Ro Khanna).

Then at about 31:00, we turn to Mr. End of History Francis Fukuyama's surprising support for socialism in a recent interview, and an atrocious apologia for the bank bailout he gave on another podcast.

Keep your ears open for a special guest appearance from Ellie the cat at about 34:00.

Finally, as listeners pointed out, we made a factual error in the last episode. It was not Franz von Papen who supported Hitler only to be assassinated in the Knight of the Long Knives, it was actually Kurt von Schleicher.

Episode 10 - Fascism & Capitalism Oct 17, 2018

Show notes

The Republican Party has basically developed a quasi-paramilitary wing in the form of the Proud Boys, which went on a violent rampage in New York City after celebrating the 58th anniversary of the assination of Inejiro Asanuma at the Metropolitan Republican Club. Worse brawls happened in Portland, Oregon.

So for this episode we discuss the links between the business class and the extreme right, and how the dysfunctions of capitalism can enable the rise of violent fascism.

Episode 9 - Champagne Ecosocialism & Jon Chait Join DSA, feat @jeffspross Oct 14, 2018

Show notes

This time we discuss the structural requirements of de-carbonizing the world economy, and whether it will be necessary as a practical matter to live an austere lifestyle or stop economic growth. Then (37:30) we turn to Jonathan Chait's latest pro-socialism manifesto.

Image credit: Leaflet - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Episode 8 - How Should the Left Think about the Judiciary? Feat. Bajeera McCorkle Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

For this episode we have our first guest, legal and political theory scholar Bajeera McCorkle. We discuss the abysmal history of the Supreme Court, the rise of neo-Lochnerism on the right, and try to work out how the left should think about the legal system.

Episode 7 - Saudi Arabia & Machiavelli Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

This time we discuss the astonishing news that Saudi Arabia may have sent assassins to murder a Washington Post journalist, and how that illustrates the (often misunderstood) thinking of Machiavelli.

Episode 6 - #MeToo, Hierarchy, & Inequality Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

In this shorter episode (also recorded some time ago) we take a look at the unusual case of Avital Ronell, the female critical theory professor who was credibly accused of sexual harassment, as well as the case of Asia Argento, who was allegedly both victim and perpetrator. We also discuss how hierarchy and inequality enable sexual harassment and abuse generally.

Episode 5 - Kavanaugh, Kennedy, & Aristotle Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

For once we have a timely episode! We dedicate the whole thing to Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation controversy, especially the late-breaking news from Monday evening. But towards the end we still sneak in a discussion of Aristotle's views on aristocracy and the healthiness of political cultures.

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