Rory Stewart, British politician and author, discusses his solo walk across Afghanistan, the war in Afghanistan, Brexit, and his passion for giving cash directly to people in the developing world. They explore US strategy in Afghanistan, the necessity of ground invasion, and the representation of Britain's national identity. The consequences of Brexit for Northern Ireland and the transformative power of cash transfers are also discussed.
Understanding local communities and their needs is crucial for effective interventions in Afghanistan.
A softer version of Brexit, maintaining close EU ties, would have been a better approach for the UK.
Direct cash transfers have shown to be an effective way to alleviate extreme poverty and empower individuals to prioritize their own needs.
Deep dives
The Importance of Understanding the Reality of Conflict Zones
Rory Stewart, a British politician, diplomat, and author, shares insights from his experience walking across Afghanistan. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the realities of local communities and their needs, rather than imposing a centralized approach. He criticizes the massive troop deployments and attempts at nation-building in Iraq and Afghanistan, arguing that they did more harm than good. He believes that it is crucial to recognize the wisdom of local communities and promote decentralization.
Lessons Learned from Brexit and the Challenges Ahead
Stewart discusses his views on Brexit and its implications for the United Kingdom. He expresses disappointment with the hard Brexit approach pursued by Boris Johnson, which disrupted the economy and failed to deliver promised benefits. He argues for a softer version of Brexit that maintains a close trading relationship with the European Union. Stewart also highlights the lack of political parties willing to advocate for a close EU relationship, leading to difficulties in finding a solution.
The Power of Direct Cash Transfers to Alleviate Global Poverty
Stewart emphasizes the effectiveness of direct cash transfers as a means to alleviate global poverty. He supports the idea of citizens assemblies, randomly selected groups of individuals, to discuss and address specific issues. Stewart believes in the importance of challenging the conventional wisdom and empowering local communities to address their specific needs and priorities.
The Complexity of British Identity
The podcast explores the diverse and contradictory nature of British identity, highlighting the geographical diversity and the different values and characteristics associated with various regions and communities. It discusses how the ideal British man historically was defined as a soldier, but the country has evolved into a society where military service is no longer as prevalent. It also showcases the multicultural makeup of cities like London and the progress in creating a more diverse political leadership. The podcast emphasizes the challenge of defining what holds British society together and suggests that a shared belief in certain values, albeit difficult to articulate, plays a central role in unifying the diverse elements of British identity.
The Challenges of Being a Politician
The podcast delves into the personal experiences of politicians and the challenges they face. It highlights the naivety and idealism that can often accompany individuals who enter politics later in life. It touches upon the constant pressure to present a confident and simplistic image to the public, which can hinder nuanced decision-making and humility. The podcast also critically examines the flaws of career politicians who may lose touch with their private selves and become permanently focused on public image. It raises questions about the type of politicians the public desires and the limitations of the current party systems in providing thoughtful, introspective options.
Cash Transfers to Alleviate Extreme Poverty
The podcast discusses the effectiveness of cash transfers in alleviating extreme poverty. It highlights the groundbreaking research and randomized control trials conducted by organizations like Give Directly, which demonstrate the positive impact of direct cash transfers on various poverty indicators. The podcast challenges traditional development models, which often involve outsiders dictating solutions to impoverished communities. It presents the empowering nature of cash transfers, allowing individuals to prioritize their own needs and make informed decisions. The podcast addresses concerns of inflation and work disincentives, explaining that studies show negligible inflation impacts and emphasizing that extreme poverty requires urgent relief to meet basic needs.
My guest today is Rory Stewart. Rory Stewart is a British politician, diplomat, and author who served as a member of parliament from 2010 to 2019. He held several governmental positions, notably as a Secretary of State for International Development in 2019, and was known for his extensive work in Afghanistan and Iraq. Rory has authored several books, such as "The Places In Between", about his solo walk across Afghanistan, and his new book, "Politics on the Edge", a memoir from within.
Rory and I talk about what he learned by walking across Afghanistan. We talk about the war in Afghanistan and what lessons Israel might take from it. We talk about Brexit. We talk about why the Scandinavian model is not appropriate for Britain. We talk about the culture of the world of politics. And finally, we talk about why Rory is so passionate about GiveDirectly, which allows people to give cash directly to the people in the developing world.
References:
Haaretz article - https://bitly.ws/ZG3G
Noam Dworman's tweet- https://bitly.ws/ZG3R
Pre-order my book:
"The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America" - https://bit.ly/48VUw17
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