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Keen On America

Episode 2307: Ece Temelkuran on why she still retains faith in the future

Jan 17, 2025
Ece Temelkuran is a notable Turkish journalist and author, acclaimed for her critique of the Erdogan regime. In this conversation, she delves into the profound changes capitalism has wrought on democracy, likening it to the Industrial Revolution. Temelkuran emphasizes the rise of modern fascism through spectacle. She passionately advocates for the importance of friendship in resisting authoritarianism and critiques the illusions of Silicon Valley. Despite concerns over rising far-right movements, she promotes an active faith in humanity's moral compass.
46:17

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ece Temelkuran critiques neoliberalism for eroding democracy and argues that modern fascism operates through entertainment rather than traditional means.
  • She emphasizes the significance of friendship as a powerful tool for personal and political resistance against authoritarian trends and cynicism.

Deep dives

Reflections on Political Change in Turkey

In January 2005, Turkey was experiencing a significant political shift with Erdogan coming to power, prompting reflections on the impending authoritarian trends that would emerge over the next two decades. The speaker expresses a sentiment of initial hope in the political landscape, contrasting with the realization of growing fascism, which developed a few years later. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding these political changes, suggesting that the early 2000s served as a crucial period for recognizing the early signs of erosion of democracy and civil liberties. The discussion also touches on the role of the internet during this period as a tool for political mobilization, with a sense of optimism amidst growing concerns.

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