The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan Tara Zahra On Anti-Globalization After WWI
Jul 25, 2025
Tara Zahra, Hanna Holborn Gray Professor of East European History at the University of Chicago, dives into her book exploring anti-globalism after WWI. She discusses the stark transformations in nationalism and identity, revealing how the Treaty of Versailles and post-war chaos birthed modern anti-global sentiments. Zahra connects historical anti-Semitism with today's class resentments, linking past economic crises to contemporary struggles. She even draws parallels between figures like Henry Ford and Trump, showcasing the enduring complexities of national identity.
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Butcher Shop Childhood Roots
- Tara Zahra grew up playing in her parents' butcher shop in the Poconos, appreciating real quality food and community role.
- Her parents started the butcher shop in 1975, combining family and work in a small town setting.
From Ballet Dreams to History
- Tara Zahra's first career goal was to become a ballet dancer, spending most of her teenage years in a dance studio.
- She eventually realized her limitations around age 17 and shifted her focus toward academics.
Anti-Globalism's Pre-War Roots
- Anti-globalism did not suddenly arise with World War I but built on prior tensions and disruptions.
- The pre-war period was seen as a golden age of internationalism by some progressives, though signs of conflict existed.
