Democracy Now! Audio cover image

Democracy Now! Audio

Democracy Now! 2025-01-06 Monday

Jan 6, 2025
Barbara Weinstein, a history professor at NYU and past president of the American Historical Association, teams up with Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University historian and author of "Crack Up Capitalism." They dive deep into the implications of the Gaza conflict on global politics and educational destruction. The discussion includes the rise of tech billionaires like Elon Musk in shaping political narratives and how fears of demographic decline influence various policies. They also explore the impact of apartheid South Africa on MAGA figures, emphasizing the intertwining of history, culture, and modern politics.
59:00

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The AHA's resolution against scholasticide in Gaza highlights the intersection of education and humanitarian crises, calling for urgent action to support Palestinian scholars.
  • The rising influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk on politics indicates a shift towards techno-libertarianism that poses risks to democratic norms and academic freedoms.

Deep dives

American Historical Association's Resolution Against Scholasticide

The American Historical Association (AHA) overwhelmingly approved a resolution opposing scholasticide in Gaza, signifying a critical stance on ongoing humanitarian crises. The resolution emerged in response to the Israeli military campaign that has devastated Gaza's educational infrastructure, with reports indicating that 80 percent of schools and every university in the region have been destroyed. Historians for Peace and Democracy, a group advocating for this resolution, highlighted the intentional efforts to dismantle the Palestinian education system, raising moral and ethical concerns about academic silence amidst the violence. This pivotal moment reflects a broader acceptance of the AHA's role in addressing political issues affecting education and history, breaking from a traditionally cautious approach to political engagement.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode