Episode 170 - The World After (Ft. Pankaj Mishra)

Feb 21, 2025

Pankaj Mishra, a critically acclaimed writer and public intellectual, delves into complex global issues. He discusses colonial legacies and their impact on current conflicts in Israel and Palestine, urging a move beyond simplistic narratives. The conversation critically evaluates the Americanization of Holocaust memory and its political implications. Mishra also draws parallels between Hindu nationalism and Zionism, revealing unexpected alliances. Concluding with insights from his book, he emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives for navigating the future.

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INSIGHT

Historical Roots of Inequality

The modern world's foundations were laid in white supremacy and racial imperialism, creating a strict hierarchy.
This hierarchy privileged white people and collaborators while denying rights to non-white and perceived weak populations.

INSIGHT

Israel's Influence on Western Politics

Israel represents a culture of impunity for many in Western Europe and America, allowing actions previously deemed unacceptable.
This is reflected in the increasing authoritarianism and oppressive strategies within Western democracies.

INSIGHT

Americanization of the Shoah

The Americanization of the Shoah refers to the deliberate construction of the Holocaust as an American memory, starting in the 1970s.
This has created bipartisan support for Israel, hindering criticism and contributing to violence and disorder.

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Mein Kampf

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Mein Kampf, written by Adolf Hitler while he was imprisoned following the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, is a two-volume work that combines autobiography and political treatise. The book details Hitler's early life, his experiences during World War I, and his increasing antisemitism and militarism. It outlines his vision for Germany, including the need for Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe, and his racist and anti-Semitic views. The work became the central text of National Socialism and a blueprint for Hitler's policies, including aggressive foreign policy and the persecution of Jews and other minority groups.

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This book explores the responses of Asian intellectuals to Western modernity and colonialism, particularly focusing on key figures from India, China, and the former Ottoman Empire. Mishra delves into the historical context, starting with Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, and examines how these intellectuals led revolts against Western dominance and aimed to create a post-colonial greater Asia. The book highlights the contributions of thinkers such as Tagore, Gandhi, Liang Qichao, Sun Yatsen, and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, showing how their ideas influenced contemporary China, India, and the Muslim world. It challenges the common narrative of a passive Asia and instead reveals the active resistance and intellectual movements that shaped modern Asia[1][3][4].

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In 'Age of Anger', Pankaj Mishra examines the rise of nationalist, isolationist, and chauvinist movements by tracing the historical impact of Enlightenment values such as individualism and capitalism. He argues that these movements are a response to the unfulfilled promises of modernity, leading to widespread anger and resentment. The book offers a profound critique of modern liberalism and its global implications.