Conversations with Tyler

chevron_right

Fareed Zakaria on the Age of Revolutions, the Power of Ideas, and the Rewards of Intellectual Curiosity

whatshot 133 snips

Mar 27, 2024

Guest

Fareed Zakaria

Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and author of "Age of Revolutions," discusses the power of ideas and classical liberalism. He reflects on mentorship with Khushwant Singh and the influences of his father’s socialist leanings. Fareed shares insights from his Yale political experiences, revealing his shift from academia to journalism. He emphasizes the challenges facing classical liberalism against a backdrop of rising populism. The conversation also touches on Singapore's governance model and the cultural landscape of India, highlighting the need for tolerance and intellectual curiosity.

01:07:12

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Mentorship by Khushwant Singh

Fareed Zakaria fondly remembers Khushwant Singh, his mother's boss, who nurtured his intellectual curiosity at a young age.
Singh instilled in him a love for language, poetry, and authors like George Orwell, shaping his writing style.

insights

INSIGHT

The Allure of Socialism

Fareed Zakaria explains that his father and Khushwant Singh, despite their intellectual prowess, leaned towards socialism.
This was due to the Labour Party's support for Indian independence and the belief that socialism could accelerate modernization.

insights

INSIGHT

Bengali Intelligentsia and Socialism

Fareed Zakaria believes the Bengali intelligentsia's left-wing leanings stem from their intelligence.
He argues that smart political elites often believe they can manage the economy better than the market.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Echoes of Identity and Influence

02:38 • 19min

chevron_right

Navigating Politics and Identity

21:49 • 27min

chevron_right

Culture vs. Governance: The Singapore Model

48:20 • 3min

chevron_right

The Challenges to Classical Liberalism and the Origins of Political Division

51:14 • 4min

chevron_right

The Dutch Golden Age and the Foundations of Modern Economics

55:36 • 4min

chevron_right

The Unexpected Journey into Wine Reviews and Cultural History

01:00:00 • 2min

chevron_right

Navigating Television: Fame and Fulfillment

01:01:42 • 5min

chevron_right

#1334

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

Book of Common Prayer

Church of England Staff

The Book of Common Prayer is a foundational liturgical text of the Anglican Communion. First published in 1549 during the reign of Edward VI, it was compiled primarily by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The book includes complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship, such as Morning and Evening Prayer, the Litany, Holy Communion, and services for baptism, confirmation, marriage, visitation of the sick, and burial. It has undergone several revisions, notably in 1552, 1559, 1604, and 1662, with the 1662 version remaining the standard for most Anglican churches. The book is known for its beautiful language and its role in shaping Anglican doctrine and worship.

#1795

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

The Age of Revolution

Eric Hobsbawm

#2657

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism

Max Weber

In this book, Max Weber argues that the Protestant work ethic, especially as influenced by Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of modern capitalism. Weber posits that the concept of a 'calling' and the this-worldly asceticism of Protestantism fostered a culture of hard work, thrift, and the accumulation of wealth, which were crucial for the emergence of capitalist culture. He contrasts this with the traditional economic attitudes and the medieval monastic ideal of other-worldly asceticism. The book also explores how these religious ideas influenced the development of a rational and disciplined approach to economic activity, which became a hallmark of modern capitalism.

#1549

• Mentioned in 16 episodes

The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers

Paul Kennedy

In this book, Paul Kennedy examines the historical patterns of the rise and fall of great powers, including Greece, Rome, Spain, France, Germany, and England. He argues that the strength of a great power is relative to other powers and correlates strongly with available resources and economic durability. Kennedy introduces the concept of 'imperial overstretch,' where military commitments become unsustainable once a power loses its economic competitive edge. The book also predicts the decline of the United States and the Soviet Union and the rise of Japan and China, based on their economic and military strategies.

#3157

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

The Clash of Civilizations?

Samuel P. Huntington

In this book, Huntington expands on his 1993 thesis that future wars will be fought not between countries, but between cultures. He argues that the primary axis of conflict in the post–Cold War world will be along cultural lines, with different civilizations, such as Western, Islamic, and Sinic, becoming increasingly significant in analyzing potential conflicts. Huntington also discusses the shift of economic, military, and political power from the West to other civilizations and critiques the Western belief in the universality of its values and political systems.

#606

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

Capitalism and freedom

Milton Friedman

In this influential book, Milton Friedman discusses the role of economic capitalism in a liberal society. He argues that economic freedom is a precondition for political freedom and advocates for limited government intervention. The book covers various topics, including the relation between economic and political freedom, the role of government in a free society, monetary policy, international trade arrangements, and the role of government in education. Friedman's work has been highly influential in economic theory and policymaking, and the book has been translated into eighteen languages and sold over half a million copies since its publication in 1962.

#7060

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Wise Men

Evan Thomas

Walter Isaacson

The Wise Men tells the story of Averell Harriman, Dean Acheson, George Kennan, Robert Lovett, John McCloy, and Charles Bohlen—six close friends who shaped America's role in the post-war world. Their intellects, personalities, and actions brought order to the chaos, leaving a lasting legacy in American policy. The book explores their contributions to the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the Cold War.

#315

• Mentioned in 49 episodes

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Published in 1949, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is a cautionary tale set in a future where the world is divided into three totalitarian super-states: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel follows Winston Smith, a minor functionary in the Ministry of Truth in Oceania, who begins to question the all-pervasive authority of the Party and its leader, Big Brother. Winston's rebellion, fueled by his forbidden love affair with Julia and his interest in the mysterious Brotherhood, ultimately leads to his capture and brutal reeducation by the Thought Police. The novel explores themes of mass surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, serving as a powerful warning about the dangers of unaccountable governments and the erosion of individual freedom and dignity.

#108

• Mentioned in 103 episodes

Dominion

The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy

Matthew Scully

In 'Dominion,' Matthew Scully presents a comprehensive and eloquent case against the mistreatment of animals. The book delves into various aspects of animal suffering, including factory farming, hunting, whaling, and laboratory experiments. Scully challenges the notion that humans have unlimited dominion over animals, as suggested by biblical interpretations, and argues for a moral and compassionate approach to animal treatment. He draws on both religious and scientific perspectives to make his case, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the recognition of animal consciousness and suffering. The book is a call to action for reform and a plea for human benevolence and mercy towards animals.

Those who know Fareed Zakaria through his weekly column or CNN show may be surprised to learn he considers books the important way he can put new ideas in the world. But Fareed's original aspiration was to be an academic, and it was a chance lunch with Walter Isaacson that convinced him to apply for a job as editor of Foreign Affairs instead of accepting an assistant professorship at Harvard. His latest book, Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present is a testament to his enduring passion for ideas and his belief in the importance of classical liberalism in an age of increasing populism and authoritarianism.

Tyler sat down with Fareed to discuss what he learned from Khushwant Singh as a boy, what made his father lean towards socialism, why the Bengali intelligentsia is so left-wing, what's stuck with him from his time at an Anglican school, what's so special about visiting Amritsar, why he misses a more syncretic India, how his time at the Yale Political Union dissuaded him from politics, what he learned from Walter Isaacson and Sam Huntington, what put him off academia, how well some of his earlier writing as held up, why he's become focused on classical liberal values, whether he had reservations about becoming a TV journalist, how he's maintained a rich personal life, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded March 8th, 2024.

Other ways to connect

Follow us on X and Instagram
Follow Tyler on X
Follow Fareed on X
Sign up for our newsletter
Join our Discord
Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu
Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.

Photo Credit: Jeremy P. Freeman, CNN

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books