Will Davies, a political economist and author, and Matthew Goodwin, a professor of politics, dive into the seismic shifts of 2021. They debate the impact of Brexit and Biden's presidency on UK politics, exploring how these events could exacerbate existing cultural divides. The duo discusses the rise of populism, the effects of educational disparities, and the implications for US-EU relations. They offer contrasting views on Britain’s future, emphasizing the need for dialogue about national identity in an increasingly fragmented landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Trump's Shift
Trump's actions have moved beyond traditional populism into a concerning crypto-fascist realm.
He seems willing to incite violence and undermine democratic norms, shocking Matt Goodwin.
insights INSIGHT
Roots of Distrust
Will Davies suggests that the Republican Party's long-standing distrust of Democrats' legitimacy predates Trump.
This, combined with Trump's showmanship and disregard for accountability, fueled the events.
insights INSIGHT
Cumulative Polarization
American political polarization is a cumulative process fueled by both the right and the left.
This polarization, rooted in values rather than economic policy, makes finding common ground difficult.
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National Populism, The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy
Matthew Goodwin
Nervous States
Democracy and the Decline of Reason
William Davies
In 'Nervous States: Democracy and the Decline of Reason,' William Davies examines the tension between technocratic government institutions based on reason, fact-finding, and scientific analysis, and the increasing influence of nationalistic sentiment characterized by a distrust of elite interests and a promotion of emotion over fact. The book delves into historical analysis and contemporary examples to illustrate how societies have created states that struggle to meet the expectations placed upon them due to economic and philosophical limitations. Davies also discusses the impact of the attention economy, moral outrage, and the exploitation of emotions in political discourse.
Sex Robots and Vegan Meat
Jenny Kleeman
In 'Sex Robots and Vegan Meat', Jenny Kleeman delves into the world of technological advancements in four core areas of human experience: birth, food, sex, and death. She explores innovations like lab-grown meat, sex robots, and artificial wombs, questioning their implications on humanity. The book offers a fascinating look at the visionaries driving these changes and the ethical dilemmas they pose.
2021 is already set to be a monumental year. On January 1 Britain finally Brexited with a deal. On January 20 Joe Biden will become President of the United States. And as we move towards the summer months more and more of us will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
What will these seismic events mean for the future of Britain and America? As the pandemic eases, will we see fairer more unified nations? Or will our economic and cultural divides open up and become even more pronounced?
To discuss and debate these questions, Will Davies and Matthew Goodwin, two of Britain’s most popular political thinkers – one left-leaning, the other right-of-centre – joined us in January 2021. The event was hosted by journalist and author Jenny Kleeman.
To find out more about the speakers books see below:
Will Davies, This is Not Normal: https://bit.ly/2XkWUuL
Matthew Goodwin, National Populism: https://bit.ly/3pXLskQ
Jenny Kleeman, Sex Robots and Vegan Meat: https://bit.ly/3q1C5AA
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