Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning Ed West: visitor from a dying empire
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Nov 22, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, Ed West, a British journalist and author known for his insights on culture and politics, delves into Britain's socio-economic decline. He examines the welfare state's impact on work incentives and the implications of immigration on social policies. West contrasts UK's cultural tensions with its large Muslim community and critiques the trajectory of British political parties. They also explore generational shifts in attitudes, the role of technology in economic growth, and the future of British society amidst significant changes.
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Britain's Economic Decline Relative To U.S.
- Britain has fallen behind the United States economically, now about 40% poorer on average than Americans.
- Ed West links this decline to policy choices and a loss of relative dynamism over decades.
Charleston's Old-World Feel
- Ed West recounts driving through Charleston and noting its preserved 18th-century feel and visible church life.
- He contrasts this with American suburban richness and visible Amazon packages on doorsteps.
Origins Shape Britain's Muslim Minority
- British Muslims largely originate from rural regions with high cousin-marriage rates, shaping different social outcomes than urban immigrant groups elsewhere.
- West argues these origins explain segregation, family size, and social integration challenges.
