Keen On America Morbid Symptoms Abundant: The Demolition of Pax Americana
Dec 27, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Charles Kupchan, a Georgetown University professor and foreign policy expert, delves into the decaying state of the post-WWII international order. He criticizes Trump's 'demolition man' approach and highlights the alarming rise of autocratic regimes. Kupchan references Gramsci’s idea of an interregnum, where the old system falters and new solutions seem scarce. He advocates for a pragmatic, multilateral approach to foreign policy, underscoring the complexities of a multipolar future dominated by the US and China, with rising influences from India and Turkey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Demolition Without Construction
- Charles A. Kupchan argues Trump is more a demolition man than an architect of a new order.
- The old post-1945 liberal international order is unraveling without a clear replacement.
Gramsci’s Interregnum Applied
- Kupchan invokes Gramsci to describe an interregnum where 'morbid symptoms' surface as old systems die.
- He warns history's arc is bending back toward autocracy amid fragmented globalization.
Embrace Pragmatic Realism
- Kupchan says pragmatic realism and transactional diplomacy are needed after overreach.
- He recommends negotiating with autocracies where necessary to end conflicts like Ukraine.