Three hosts discuss Biden's age and cognitive ability in politics, the history of gerontocracy, implications of older leaders, critiques of the Democratic Party, and societal views on the aging population.
Critiques of Biden's age intersect with discussions on cognitive decline and political fitness.
The origins of gerontocracy and its impact on governance are analyzed within liberal democratic principles.
The podcast explores the reinforcement of able-bodied identity in society and exclusion of individuals with disabilities from full citizenship in a liberal context.
Deep dives
Concerns About Biden's Age and Cognitive Ability in Election Discourse
The podcast episode delves into the debate surrounding Joe Biden's age and cognitive abilities and its impact on the election. Discussions on gerontocracy, impairment, and the body politic are highlighted. The reemergence of these topics following a special counsel report and liberal commentators' perspectives on possibly needing a new candidate add to the complexity of the discourse.
Challenges of Ageism and Disability Discourse in Political Critique
The episode examines the intersection of ageism, disability, and political power, particularly in relation to Biden's candidacy. Critiques of Biden's age are reflected through the lens of cognitive decline and overall fitness for office, echoing past concerns about other presidential nominees. The influence of media aesthetics, performance, and ethical implications in critiquing older politicians are also analyzed.
Liberal Narratives on Gerontocracy, Aging, and Political Ideology
The podcast delves into the origins of gerontocracy as a concept and its potential implications for governance. The discussion expands to include the ideological underpinnings of liberalism, the capacity contract, and the rational decision-making basis for political legitimacy. The ageism debate and historical influences on the perception of elders in leadership roles are scrutinized within the context of liberal democratic principles.
Impact of Liberal Ideology on Political Discourse
The podcast explores how influential philosophers like Rawls have shaped liberal capitalism, governance, and policy, constructing and naturalizing the ideology of ability in society. It delves into the reinforcement of able-bodied identity as the norm and the exclusion of individuals with disabilities from Rawls' concept of full citizenship in a liberal society.
Challenges Faced in Addressing Ageism and Political Representation
The episode discusses the anxieties and complexities surrounding ageism, cognitive decline, and the political discourse regarding candidates' capabilities, particularly focusing on Biden. It highlights how biomedical and technocratic approaches attempt to resolve these issues, steering conversations away from deeper discussions on citizenship, political power, ableism, and the ideological foundations of liberalism.
Bea, Artie and Jules discuss pundit speculation about Biden’s age and cognitive ability and the history of the relationship between bodily capacity and definitions of the “body politic.”
This episode was originally released for Death Panel patrons on February 26th, 2024. To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a patron at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod
Transcript forthcoming.
Find this week's patron episode that continues this conversation in the context of the debate and the Trump assassination attempt (mentioned in Artie's message at the top of the show) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/108202947
Find our book Health Communism here: www.versobooks.com/books/4081-health-communism
Find Jules' new book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, here:
https://www.versobooks.com/products/3054-a-short-history-of-trans-misogyny
Death Panel merch here (patrons get a discount code): www.deathpanel.net/merch
As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode