Vladislav Zubok, a historian and author from the London School of Economics, dives deep into the complexities of the Cold War and its implications for today's geopolitical landscape. He explains how the ideological battle between capitalism and communism shaped global dynamics. Zubok also highlights the importance of diplomacy in U.S.-China relations and reflects on unique narratives, like the fascinating role of steel in history. With a touch of humor, he shares insights on Soviet chess culture, revealing its political significance.
55:10
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Cold War: Capitalism vs Socialism
The Cold War was fundamentally a battle between capitalism and socialism with ideological and geopolitical dimensions.
It originated from capitalism's failure in the 1930s and the struggle for the future global order.
insights INSIGHT
Mutual Perceptions Shaped Cold War
Soviet views of capitalism were grounded in Lenin's theory that capitalism inevitably leads to imperialism and global wars.
American perceptions of the USSR shifted after the Great Depression, seeing communism as a threat to global stability.
insights INSIGHT
Early Cold War Dynamics Explained
Soviet expansionism was real, but American reaction and resources drove much early Cold War dynamics.
The conflict was prolonged by uncertainty and mutual fears despite obvious power imbalances.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed', Jared Diamond examines the collapse of past societies, such as the Anasazi, the Maya, and the Norse colonies on Greenland, due to factors like environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, loss of trading partners, and the society's response to these challenges. Diamond argues that environmental concerns are crucial to a society's success and that the way a society responds to its environmental problems is often the decisive factor in its survival or collapse. The book also draws parallels between historical collapses and current global issues, offering practical lessons and solutions to avoid similar catastrophes in the present and future[1][3][5].
The War of the World
Niall Ferguson
Secondhand Time
The Last of the Soviets
Svetlana Alexiévich
In 'Secondhand Time', Svetlana Alexievich brings together dozens of voices to create a mosaic of testimonies about the decline of the USSR. The book charts the period from 1991 to 2012, covering the Yeltsin and Putin decades, and explores the collective trauma and nostalgia of people who found themselves in a world suddenly alien to them. It delves into themes of suffering, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the Soviet era, presenting a human-centered perspective on historical events without analysis or personal commentary[3][5].
These days, it's common to talk about the emergence of a New Cold War that exists between the US and China. It's debatable whether or not this is a useful framing. But in order to answer the question, it requires that you have some conception of what the original Cold War actually was. Vladislav Zubok, a professor at the London School of Economics, has a new book out on exactly this question. In The World of the Cold War: 1945-1991, Zubok attempts to explain how we should understand this period, which he sees as both an ideological battle, as well as a geo-strategic one — and also a battle that the two main actors (the US and the USSR) saw very differently at the time. In addition to understanding the contours of that tension, we discuss its applicability today, as the new administration attempts to re-arrange our relationship with China and the Middle East, as well as other rivals, allies, and partners.
Only Bloomberg.com subscribers can get the Odd Lots newsletter in their inbox — now delivered every weekday — plus unlimited access to the site and app. Subscribe at bloomberg.com/subscriptions/oddlots
Odd Lots 
