This Is Hell! cover image

This Is Hell!

Chuck has Covid pt. 2: Technoauthoritarian Frontiers / Quinn Slobodian & Greg Grandin

Feb 21, 2025
Quinn Slobodian, a historian known for his work on capitalism and democracy, discusses his book that critiques the rise of techno-authoritarianism and special economic zones. Greg Grandin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, delves into American expansionism and its implications on national identity and democracy, linking historical narratives to contemporary political chaos. Both guests explore the tensions between capitalism and democratic values, raising questions about the future of governance in an increasingly unequal world.
01:56:43

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The rise of techno-authoritarian capitalism challenges democracy by promoting market-driven governance over traditional political structures, threatening democratic ideals.
  • America's historical expansionism, rooted in imperialism and narratives of manifest destiny, continues to shape contemporary racial dynamics and national identity.

Deep dives

Technological Authoritarianism

The discussion centers on the rise of techno-authoritarian capitalism, as exemplified by figures like Peter Thiel, who believe that democracy obstructs technological advancement. This ideology promotes a vision of society where political governance is replaced by market-driven rule, leading to a world dominated by CEOs and technocrats. Thiel's perspective suggests that the existing democratic infrastructure stifles innovation and progress, prompting a desire for more radical political arrangement, such as the creation of enclaves disconnected from traditional state governance. This alarming trend raises questions about the future of democracy and the implications of prioritizing capitalism at the expense of democratic ideals.

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