The Peter McCormack Show #118 - Neema Parvini - Elites, Populism & The Illusion of Change
Neema Parvini, an author and academic specializing in elite theory and populism, explores profound topics regarding the nature of democracy and its perception as a 'soft dictatorship.' He discusses how populism often becomes an illusion, the role of media and NGOs in shaping public narratives, and the significance of billionaire interests in global politics. Parvini delves into the dynamics of elite power, emphasizing how revolutions can lead to greater centralization rather than real change, sparking critical thoughts on activism and political engagement.
02:14:21
Democracy As A Managed Illusion
- Democracy functions as a managed illusion that comforts the mass while preserving elite control.
- Neema Parvini argues our system is a 'soft dictatorship' where visible choice masks the ruling class's stability.
State Shaping Of Postwar Political Culture
- Intelligence services and state-backed networks have actively shaped postwar political culture and narratives.
- Parvini highlights CIA funding of cultural projects and deliberate message management after crises.
Media Access As A Vetting Tool
- Media access and normalization signal who elites accept into the political fold.
- Being a household name in major outlets is often a clearance to play within the system's permitted narratives.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Why Democracy Feels Like a Soft Dictatorship
01:42 • 4min
Media Manufacturing Political Candidates
05:23 • 1min
CIA, NGOs and the Managed Public Sphere
06:41 • 3min
How Protests Are Managed and Framed
09:35 • 7min
Ad break
16:56 • 49sec
Tommy Robinson and the Limits of Outsider Influence
17:45 • 3min
Counter-Revolutionary Movements and Backers
20:18 • 6min
Reconciling Realism with Everyday Conversations
26:27 • 9min
Severance Between Ownership and Control
34:57 • 7min
Billionaires, Globalism and Competing Agendas
41:58 • 14min
Ad break
56:04 • 39sec
Elite Factions and the Israel Debate
56:43 • 5min
Avoiding Capital-C Conspiracy Thinking
01:01:58 • 6min
Foundations of Elite Theory Explained
01:08:23 • 5min
Foxes, Lions and the Circulation of Elites
01:13:03 • 4min
The Iron Law of Oligarchy and Populist Co-optation
01:17:06 • 8min
Decisionism, Emergencies and Executive Power
01:24:44 • 7min
Personal Meaning Versus Political Engagement
01:31:57 • 5min
Rethinking Libertarianism and Class Effects
01:36:36 • 11min
Can Bitcoin or AI Trigger Real Change?
01:47:30 • 4min
Revolutions, Centralization, and the Risk of Greater Control
01:51:21 • 9min
Bitcoin's Political Question: You and Whose Army?
01:59:54 • 2min
Independent Media, Algorithms and Incentives
02:02:01 • 5min
Resisting the Machine While Staying Sane
02:06:51 • 6min
Practical Hope: Electoral Realignments and Local Action
02:12:40 • 1min
Outro
02:13:47 • 25sec
#69092
On heroes and hero-worship
Thomas Carlyle
Published in 1841, this book is a collection of six lectures delivered by Thomas Carlyle in 1840, in which he examines the nature of heroism and the impact of great individuals on the course of history.
Carlyle identifies six types of heroes—divinity, prophet, poet, priest, man of letters, and king—and illustrates each with historical figures such as Odin, Muhammad, Dante, Shakespeare, Luther, Johnson, Rousseau, Cromwell, and Napoleon.
Carlyle argues that heroes are defined by their sincerity, creative energy, and ability to confront the contradictions of the world, rather than by moral perfection.
The work is both a celebration of individual greatness and a challenge to the impersonal forces of the Industrial Revolution.
#66777
Applied Elite Theory
Not Available
Neema Parvini
Neema Parvini is known for his work on elite theory, as seen in 'The Populist Delusion', which explores the ideas of elite theorists like Mosca, Pareto, and Michels.
However, 'Applied Elite Theory' does not appear to be a published work by him.
#8990
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Who Paid the Piper
Frances Stonor Saunders
#21918
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Prophets of Doom
Neema Parvini
#8878
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Populist Delusion
null
Nima Parvini
#16647
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Ride the Tiger
Joscelyn Godwin
Julius Evola
Constance Fontana
Julius Evola's "Ride the Tiger" is a complex and controversial work that explores themes of traditionalism, spirituality, and anti-modernism.
It presents a critique of modern society and its values, advocating for a return to traditional hierarchies and spiritual practices.
The book's ideas have been influential in certain far-right circles, but its themes are widely considered extreme and controversial.
Evola's work is characterized by its esoteric nature and its rejection of liberal democracy.
The book's significance lies in its influence on certain extremist groups, highlighting the dangers of extreme ideologies.
#1162
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
The managerial revolution
James Burnham
#207
• Mentioned in 78 episodes
The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli
Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers.
Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals.
The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess.
Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points.
The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues.
'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.
#12506
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
False Dawn
John Gray
John Gray's "False Dawn" is a critical examination of the neoliberal project and its consequences.
Gray challenges the optimistic assumptions underlying neoliberal ideology, arguing that it has led to increased inequality and social fragmentation.
He analyzes the historical context of neoliberalism, tracing its intellectual roots and examining its impact on various societies.
The book offers a pessimistic assessment of the future, suggesting that the neoliberal project is unsustainable and that alternative approaches are needed.
Gray's work has sparked considerable debate among economists and political theorists.
#1908
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
The society of mind
Marvin Minsky
In 'The Society of Mind', Marvin Minsky presents a revolutionary theory of how the human mind works.
He describes the mind as a collection of simple, mindless agents that interact to produce complex cognitive functions.
The book is composed of 270 self-contained essays divided into 30 chapters, each contributing to a unified theory of the mind.
Minsky explores concepts such as language, memory, learning, consciousness, and the sense of self, offering a philosophical and computational perspective on intelligence.
The theory posits that intelligence stems from the diversity and cooperation of these agents, rather than any single principle or formal system.
#4721
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Discourses on Livy
Niccolo Machiavelli
Written by Niccolò Machiavelli in the early 16th century, 'Discourses on Livy' is a three-book commentary on the first ten books of Titus Livy's 'Ab Urbe Condita'.
The work examines the founding, maintenance, and protection of the Roman Republic, drawing lessons for modern republics.
Machiavelli critiques the failure of his contemporaries to learn from ancient political history and argues for the importance of imitating the political virtues of the ancients.
The book discusses various themes, including the role of public and private counsel, the institution of dictatorship, and the impact of religion on statecraft.
It is a significant work in political philosophy, emphasizing the practical application of historical examples to contemporary political issues.
#741
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
The Machiavellians
James Burnham
James Burnham's "The Machiavellians" is a seminal work in political philosophy that analyzes the ideas of several influential thinkers, including Pareto, Mosca, and Sorel.
Burnham examines their theories on power, elites, and the dynamics of political systems.
The book challenges traditional notions of democracy and explores the role of elites in shaping society.
Burnham's analysis offers a critical perspective on power structures and their influence on political outcomes.
The book remains relevant for its insights into the enduring nature of power dynamics.
#639
• Mentioned in 35 episodes
On Power
Bertrand de Jouvenel
Neema Parvini is the author of The Populist Delusion, a defining work in dissident political theory.
We discuss: – Why democracy is a “soft dictatorship” – The real purpose of populist parties – Elite theory, the ruling class & regime mechanics – Tony Blair, the NGOs & managerial capture – Globalism, Israel & power double standards – How power always recentralises post-revolution
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TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:49 – Populism Is a Trap 00:06:28 – CIA-Created Political Spectrum 00:10:33 – Mass Behaviour & Nudging 00:14:23 – Media Narrative Coordination 00:21:00 – The Myth of Bottom-Up Politics 00:28:20 – The Illusion of Choice 00:34:07 – Billionaires Fund Both Sides 00:37:20 – NGOs and Soft Power 00:42:00 – Gaza, Globalism & Contradiction 00:51:00 – False Revolutions & Resets 00:54:44 – Anti-Blasphemy Laws in Disguise 01:00:27 – Controlled Speech 01:04:21 – Tony Blair Runs Britain 01:08:00 – Real Power Is Visible 01:12:28 – Elite Theory 01:17:30 – Every System Becomes an Oligarchy 01:22:07 – The Myth of Libertarianism 01:38:01 – Were Medieval Peasants Happier? 01:49:15 – Revolutions Centralise Even More 01:56:10 – Mass Immigration as Class War 01:59:38 – Can Bitcoin Spark Revolution? 02:09:47 – Can Rupert Lowe Save Britain? 02:13:00 – Final Thoughts & Next Book
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FILMED BY CURTIS TAYLOR › https://www.curttaylor.co.uk/ › https://x.com/curttayloruk/
EDITED BY CONOR MCCORMACK › https://x.com/ConorM04
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