The Dissenter

#978 Sophie Scott-Brown: European Political Thought, Anarchism, and Steven Pinker's Progressivism

8 snips
Aug 9, 2024
Guest
Sophie Scott-Brown
Sophie Scott-Brown, a scholar from the University of St. Andrews, delves into the evolution of European political thought and the complexities of anarchism. She questions the relevance of 'left-wing' and 'right-wing' labels in today's society while exploring the themes of liberty and communal living in anarchist ideology. The discussion also critiques Steven Pinker's views on progress, linking them to ongoing global conflicts, and emphasizes the need for diverse historical perspectives to address contemporary issues like economic inequality.
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INSIGHT

Rethink Where Political Thought Begins

  • European political thought can validly start before ancient Greece, depending on the questions and perspectives you bring to it.
  • Sophie Scott-Brown argues historians should look broadly, including prehistory and everyday decision-making, to find politics anywhere.
INSIGHT

Modernity Rewires Political Problems

  • Modernity changes political questions because it reduces precarity and creates new collective problems like pandemics and climate change.
  • Scott-Brown warns many traditional political tools and national governments are ill-suited for these global, localized challenges.
INSIGHT

Left-Right Labels Are Historically Accidental

  • 'Left' and 'right' began as seating positions in the French Assembly but now carry heavy moral and tribal weight.
  • Scott-Brown argues the labels are increasingly unhelpful and hide important differences among people grouped under them.
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