Why Europe Could Become the Next Collapsed Empire - Razib Khan

Jan 12, 2026

01:37:17

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What happens when economic decline, cultural identity, and technological acceleration all collide at once?

Julian sits down with Razib Khan to explore the forces reshaping the US, Europe, and the wider West. They unpack why tariffs, zero-sum thinking, and reactionary politics may be symptoms of deeper structural decline, while also examining why optimism, migration patterns, and cultural norms have historically fueled American dynamism. From Brexit and European stagnation to the rise of populism and questions around national identity, the discussion challenges easy narratives from all sides.

The conversation goes further, tackling some of today’s most sensitive and consequential questions: immigration and integration, multiculturalism, religion in pluralistic societies, and whether shared values still exist in the modern West. They also explore the role of personality, genetics, and culture in shaping ambition and innovation, before turning to the future—AI, automation, democracy, and what human flourishing could realistically look like in a rapidly changing world. Thought-provoking, nuanced, and deliberately uncomfortable at times, this episode invites listeners to think beyond headlines and engage with the deeper patterns shaping our collective future.

What You'll Learn:

How economic, cultural, and demographic forces are shaping the decline of Europe
Why American optimism and mobility continue to drive innovation and growth
How identity, culture, and national values influence political movements
The real impact of immigration on economies, integration, and social cohesion
Why personality, genetics, and openness play a role in ambition and success
How multiculturalism works and where it breaks down in practice
What human flourishing looks like in an unequal and rapidly changing world
Whether democracy can survive technological disruption and AI

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

03:38 Is the Fifth European Empire Collapsing?

05:40 What “Make America Great Again” Really Looks Back To

06:56 Does the US Have an Identity Crisis?

08:30 Why Optimism Still Separates America From Europe

13:38 Culture, Ambition, and the British Mindset

20:23 Do Personality and Genetics Shape Success?

23:21 Understanding Europe’s Structural Decline

26:49 Why Language and Mobility Matter for Economic Growth

30:33 Why the World’s Top Talent Still Chooses America

32:20 Immigration, Culture, and the Math Behind Integration