New Books in Jewish Studies Mark Mazower, "On Antisemitism: A Word in History" (Penguin Press, 2025)
Oct 26, 2025
Mark Mazower, Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University, dives deep into the evolving concept of antisemitism. He discusses its origins in the 1870s and how it has morphed across regions, particularly highlighting Germany, France, and Russia. The podcast examines the impact of Nazi ideology and post-war discrediting of overt antisemitism. Mazower also explores demographic shifts with Jews in Israel and the US, the complexities of black-Jewish alliances during civil rights struggles, and critiques contemporary definitions of antisemitism that affect free speech.
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Birth Of Political Antisemitism
- Modern antisemitism shifts in the 1870s from prejudice to organized political program opposing Jewish emancipation.
- The term "anti-Semites" originated as a political label for those seeking to disenfranchise Jews.
Antisemitism Was Nationally Varied
- Antisemitism varied across Europe with distinct national, religious, and racial flavors.
- Organizers quickly sought international cooperation, prompting Jewish organizations to mobilize transnationally.
Nazism Globalized The Threat
- Nazism made antisemitism central to state policy by linking Jewish persecution to world-historical aims.
- That transformed global attention to Jews and politicized antisemitism beyond earlier local battles.
