Philipp Blom & Ivan Krastev: TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY VERTIGO

MQ-Gespräche Gemeinsam mit Gästen, die sich international einen Namen als herausragende Analytiker:innen gemacht haben, diskutiert Philipp Blom soziale, politische und wissenschaftliche Fragen der Gegenwart, um ihre Strukturen und treibenden Kräfte aus unterschiedlichen Blickwinkeln zu beleuchten. Eine Kooperation zwischen ⁠MQ⁠, ⁠IWM⁠, ⁠BKF⁠ und ⁠RD Foundation.⁠

Philipp Blom in conversation with Ivan Krastev
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY VERTIGO

There is a widespread feeling that the early 21st century, our own time, is torn between two world orders, one decaying, the other not yet established, or not yet understood. The crises of Western democracies, increasing polarisation, a new aristocracy of the super rich, and populist revolts against all kinds of elites and the return of widespread political violence, are symptomatic of powerful forces tearing apart a world that seemed stable. But which powers are behind this? How important are migration, economic globalisation, new wars and new alliances, digitisation, smartphones, and artificial intelligence in this mix?

Ivan Krastev grew up in a time of revolution in Bulgaria and has made it his life’s work to understand what drives them and how to protect and encourage liberty in a rule-based order. Series host Philipp Blom is fascinated by turning points in history and believes that our present may be the biggest of them all. Philipp Blom speaks with Ivan Krastev about the social, cultural and political tensions that may well end democracy and usher in autocracy, and what can be done to strengthen both individual potentials and social cohesion in a time of crisis.

Ivan Krastev, chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, and Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna (IWM)
Philipp Blom, historian and author of several novels, journalism, politics, and philosophy. He also works a radio presenter, documentary film maker and as a public lecturer.

Recorded on 22 October @MQLibelle, Museumsquartier