Anand Giridharadas on the Financial Crisis, Covid and the State of Democracy
May 23, 2024
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Author Anand Giridharadas discusses the financial crisis, Covid, and democracy. They explore the influence of wealthy donors on academia and media, the manipulation of tax-exempt deductions for political influence, and the emotionally charged battleground of politics. An insightful conversation about the state of American democracy.
Anand Giridharadas questions the authenticity of billionaire philanthropy as a facade for expanding wealth and power.
Thought leaders favored by plutocratic elites displace experts, promoting costless empowerment methods benefical to ruling classes.
Emotional resonance, not policies, shapes political landscapes by tapping into universal fears and hopes for voter appeal.
Deep dives
The Power of Journalism and Writing as a Career Path
Anand Girdatus, a best-selling author and former foreign correspondent, shares his journey from journalism to writing. Starting in high school, his passion for writing was ignited through investigative journalism, allowing him to observe the world, engage with people, and share stories. Facing initial challenges entering journalism due to limited job opportunities, he sought advice to explore the world, leading him to work in India. Despite hardships, this experience in journalism has significantly shaped his perspective on storytelling and societal impact.
Impact of India's Class System on Social Inequality
Girdatus reflects on his six years in India, highlighting the deep-rooted caste system and social hierarchies that perpetuate inequality. He discusses India's historical lack of social revolutions, leaving ancient structures intact, leading to systemic prejudices and beliefs in natural human inequality. The societal norms in India reinforce notions of caste-based destinies, where individuals are seen to inherit their stations in life. Girdatus's experience challenges traditional beliefs and sheds light on the impact of historical structures on contemporary society.
Discussion on Wealth Disparities and Philanthropy
Within his book 'Winners Take All,' Girdatus delves into the phenomenon of plutocracy, where the ultra-wealthy exert influence through philanthropic efforts. He criticizes the billionaire class for using philanthropy as a facade to expand their wealth and power while manipulating societal narratives. By exploring how large fortunes shape policies and maintain inequalities, Girdatus questions the authenticity of billionaire contributions and the blurred lines between genuine philanthropy and self-serving interests.
Influence of Thought Leaders Over Academic Experts
The podcast delves into the rise of thought leaders who have displaced academic experts and public intellectuals by leveraging non-expertise selection. These thought leaders are characterized as thinkers who align with plutocratic establishments and propagate ideas beneficial to ruling elites. Unlike true experts who might advocate for structural changes like paid family leave and equal rights amendments, thought leaders promote costless empowerment methods, such as the concept of 'lean in' by Cheryl Sandberg, which aligns more with plutocratic interests.
The Significance of Emotional Resonance in Politics
Another key focus of the podcast is the pivotal role of emotional resonance in shaping political landscapes. It emphasizes that emotions, rather than policies or issues, drive voter motivations and candidate appeal. By examining emotionally charged topics like critical race theory and climate change, the podcast highlights how political discourse strategically taps into universal fears and hopes, such as the fear of children growing apart from parents and existential concerns surrounding climate change. Understanding and leveraging emotional triggers is depicted as crucial for political success in the contemporary landscape.
Bloomberg Radio host Barry Ritholtz speaks to Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All, The True American and India Calling. A former foreign correspondent and columnist for the New York Times, he has also written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic and Time, and is the publisher of the newsletter The.Ink. He is also a political analyst for MSNBC. He has received the Radcliffe Fellowship, the Porchlight Business Book of the Year Award, Harvard University’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanism in Culture and the New York Public Library’s Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism.
