In 'Orientalism,' Edward Said critiques the Western construction of the Orient as a place of mystery and exoticism. He argues that Orientalism, as a discipline and worldview, is inherently tied to European imperialism and serves as a powerful instrument of domination. Said examines how Western literature, academia, and politics have perpetuated colonialism and imperialism by creating and reinforcing stereotypes and myths about the East. He traces the development of Orientalism from its roots in the 18th century to its contemporary implications, emphasizing the intimate relationship between knowledge and power and the need to challenge these dominant discourses[1][3][5].
Frantz Fanon's "The Wretched of the Earth" is a seminal work of postcolonial theory that explores the psychological and social effects of colonialism on colonized peoples. Fanon argues that colonialism creates a system of oppression that dehumanizes and alienates the colonized, leading to violence and resistance. He analyzes the role of violence in the struggle for liberation, emphasizing its necessity in breaking the cycle of oppression. The book also examines the process of decolonization, highlighting the need for a complete transformation of society and the creation of new forms of social and political organization. Fanon's work remains highly influential in discussions of colonialism, decolonization, and the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice.
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
Is Zohran Mamdani's success in New York politics the mark of socialist resurgence or just a reflection of a deeply fractured party base? Zach Weissmueller is joined by two very concerned New Yorkers. Our own Liz Wolfe and Inez Stepman, who's a policy analyst at the Independent Women's Forum.
Stepman critiques the ideological cocktail attracting young New Yorkers to socialism. She argues that Mamdani's appeal is more cultural than it is economic, which leads to a discussion of whether libertarianism can actually be effective in combating Mamdani-esque movements.
Mentioned in the podcast:
"HSTPA Impacts Study," by the Real Estate Board of New York
"The Daily Dirt: 5 Questions With Socialist Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani," by Kathryn Brenzel
"The Most Detailed Map of the N.Y.C. Mayoral Primary," by Martín González Gómez, Saurabh Datar, Matthew Bloch, Andrew Fischer, and Jon Huang
Mamdani's homeowner policy memo
Clip from Eric Adams' speech blasting socialism
Mamdani's talk at the 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America Winter Conference
Chapters:
00:00—Podcast theme
00:24—Zohran Mamdani and the new face of the Democratic Socialists
05:12—Class resentment, college debt, and the upper-middle-class left
11:19—How socialism distorts incentives and degrades culture
17:32—The myth of New York's liberal monolith
22:53—Rent freezes, housing politics, and urban affordability myths
30:53—Are YIMBYs being misled by progressive rhetoric?
35:22—The cultural core of Mamdani's politics
41:45—Why Inez Stepman broke with libertarianism
48:54—Policing, public safety, and the stakes of a Mamdani mayoralty
57:58—Mental illness, civil liberties, and involuntary commitment
01:08:00—What Mamdani's rise means beyond New York
The post Inez Stepman: How Socialism Seduced New Yorkers appeared first on Reason.com.
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