Power, Populism, and the Plight of the Refugee with Roger Berkowitz
Feb 11, 2025
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Roger Berkowitz, founder of the Hannah Arendt Center and expert in human rights, discusses the pressing issues of power and populism. He examines the rise of executive authority and its effects on political accountability. The conversation dives deep into the refugee crisis, revealing the moral obligations of nations and the historical challenges faced by asylum seekers. Berkowitz also emphasizes the need for grassroots resistance against power centralization and the role of marginalized communities in reshaping political landscapes.
Roger Berkowitz emphasizes the urgent need for nations to rethink their responsibilities toward the unprecedented number of refugees due to geopolitical upheaval.
The podcast underscores concerns about the expanding power of the executive branch in immigration policy, suggesting a risk to democratic norms and local governance.
Deep dives
The Impact of the Satanic Panic on Society
Between 1991 and 1993, the United States experienced an alarming surge in reported cases of alleged satanic ritual abuse, totaling over 12,000. An audit conducted by the FBI in 1995 found no evidence linking these claims to organized cult activity, highlighting the disconnection between public fear and reality. This period of hysteria significantly influenced high-profile criminal cases such as the West Memphis Three, where communities were plunged into moral panic and rushed to judgment based on unverified claims. The Satanic Panic effectively shaped a political narrative that leveraged fear, impacting policymaking and public sentiment across the nation.
Controversies Surrounding Immigration Enforcement
The arrest of Wilson Velasquez Cruz by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside his church brought attention to contentious immigration policies under the Trump administration. Cruz, who had previously been deported but later re-entered the U.S. legally, was taken into custody while practicing his faith, prompting concerns about the humanity of immigration enforcement tactics. The administration's hardline stance included a swift wave of executive orders related to immigration, signaling a significant shift in how the U.S. interacts with refugees and asylum seekers. This situation illuminated the polarizing divide among Americans regarding immigration reform, with many questioning the ethical implications of such aggressive policies.
The Growing Refugee Crisis
As articulated by Roger Berkowitz, current global circumstances have led to unprecedented levels of displacement, with the UN reporting around 122 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide. The historical context highlights that the emergence of mass refugee crises can be traced back to major geopolitical shifts, such as the breakup of empires and the rise of oppressive regimes. This discussion emphasizes both the moral responsibilities nations hold regarding asylum and the complex economic and societal questions raised by the influx of large numbers of refugees. Ultimately, the increasing refugee population challenges nations to reassess their hospitality and structural responses to those fleeing violence and persecution.
The Centralization of Power and its Implications
Concerns over the executive branch's growing power were raised, especially regarding the Trump administration's approach to immigration and other policies. The administration's actions were seen as part of a historical trend where the executive increasingly bypasses Congressional authority, leading to a potential erosion of democratic norms. The conversation highlighted the importance of local governance and citizen engagement as a means of resisting this centralization of authority, recalling the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson on the need for decentralized power structures. As citizens grapple with how to reclaim their voice, there is a call for organized efforts and civic engagement to uphold democratic values and ensure that marginalized communities remain visible in policy discussions.
In this episode, Mike Cosper talks with Roger Berkowitz—founder and academic director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities and professor of politics, philosophy, and human rights at Bard College—to talk about power, populism and the plight of the refugee. It’s a conversation not quick with answers but committed to thoughtful engagement with the most important questions.
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ABOUT THE GUEST:
Roger Berkowitz is founder and academic director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities and professor of politics, philosophy, and human rights at Bard College. Berkowitz is the author of The Gift of Science, the introduction to On Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau and Hannah Arendt, and The Perils of Invention. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The American Interest, Bookforum, The Forward, The Paris Review online, and Democracy. Berkowitz edits HA: The Journal of the Hannah Arendt Center and the weekly newsletter Amor Mundi. He is the winner of the 2024 Compassion Award given by Con-solatio and the 2019 Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought given by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Bremen, Germany.
ABOUT THE BULLETIN:
The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.