Honestly with Bari Weiss cover image

Honestly with Bari Weiss

Are We Living in ‘Late Soviet America’? Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg Debate.

Jul 11, 2024
In this lively discussion, historian Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, dive into the provocative comparison between modern America and the late Soviet Union. Ferguson argues that societal decay and elite disconnect mirror the past, while Goldberg counters that America’s challenges arise from an excess of freedom and not totalitarianism. Their debate touches on public health crises, political transparency, and the erosion of values, making for a thought-provoking examination of America’s current state and future potential.
01:00:52

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Quick takeaways

  • American society mirrors Soviet downfall with physical unwellness and gerontocracy.
  • Jonah Goldberg refutes US as late Soviet America, emphasizing unique societal issues.

Deep dives

The Decline of American Society Compared to the Soviet Union

The podcast explores how American society resembles the deteriorating state of the Soviet Union in the 70s and 80s. Historian Neil Ferguson argues that the US is experiencing physical unwellness, heavy debt, gerontocracy, and a discredited ideology pushed by elites, mirroring the Soviet downfall. Despite pushback from economists like James Pethikukas and Noah Smith, Ferguson maintains that the US faces similar issues, leading to a lack of confidence in institutions.

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