ChinaTalk

Liberalism: The Light That Failed

Oct 2, 2020

Ivan Krastev, a Bulgarian political scientist, and Stephen Holmes, a NYU Law professor, dive into the decline of liberalism in Eastern Europe, linking it to the post-Cold War era and rising populism. They discuss how Western ideals often clash with local realities, highlighting the psychological effects of national identity amidst political transitions. The conversation also touches on China's authoritarian capitalism and its challenges to democratic reforms, as well as the cultural complexities faced by nations grappling with their historical narratives.

01:14:42

Creator website

Episode guests

Stephen Holmes

Ivan Krastev

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Paradox of Liberalism in Eastern Europe

27min

Cultural Imitation and Psychological Challenges Post-Defeat

2min

The Paradox of Victory and Defeat in Russian Liberalism

3min

Western Advisors and Eastern Realities

12min

China's Authoritarian Capitalism and Global Relations

26min

Longing and Repetitive Love

3min

In his memoir The World as It Is, Ben Rhodes, Barack Obama’s closest national security aide, confides that, on the day Obama left the White House, the worry that haunted him most was: ‘What if we were wrong?’ That is, what if liberals had misinterpreted the nature of the post-Cold War period?

‘What if we were wrong?’ is the question Ivan Krastev and Stephen Holmes set out to explain in their recent The Light That Failed: A Reckoning, which takes Eastern Europe as exhibit A. The book meditates on how liberalism lost its appeal and its themes have clear echoes in East Asia.

Guest hosting today is Eddie Fishman.

Do reach out to me on twitter or at jorschneider@gmail.com.

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Intro Music: HAYA乐团《迁徙》全员战士风尝试突破

Outtro Music (thanks Stephen for the suggestion, very thematic!): Basement Tapes: Kansas City. Marcus Mumford on vocals and Johnny Depp (!) playing guitar.

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