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
01:00:52
Snipd AI
Historian Niall Ferguson argues the US mirrors Soviet decay in gerontocracy, debt, and ideology. Jonah Goldberg counters, rejecting the comparison. They discuss decline, leadership, mortality rates, societal pathologies, and potential solutions to current issues in 'Late Soviet America'. Parallels in erosion of institutions and importance of individual liberty are highlighted.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

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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