The Freakonomics Radio Book Club 21. Are We Living Through the Most Revolutionary Period in History?
12 snips
Apr 4, 2024 
Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria discusses how we are living through a revolutionary period in history encompassing political, economic, and technological changes. He explores global chaos, identity politics, geopolitical challenges, and the state of the US. Zakaria reflects on the impact of global revolutions, the complexities of the Palestinian cause, and the demographic shifts in the US. The conversation also touches on moral courage scarcity, illiberal populism, and the importance of strategic alliances in the Middle East.
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Open vs. Closed
- The traditional left-right political divide is becoming obsolete.
- A new divide is emerging, focused on open vs. closed societies regarding economics, politics, technology, and culture.
Immigration as Openness
- Immigration is the human face of societal openness.
- People react viscerally to immigrants due to differences in appearance, language, and religion.
Putin's Rise
- Putin's popularity in Russia stems from exploiting a sense of lost greatness.
- Russia's economy struggled after the Soviet Union's collapse but benefitted from global growth.