Daniel Bessner, a writer and historian known for his insights on Hollywood's evolution, discusses the dangerous shift from creativity to capitalism in the film industry. He highlights how financial motivations are overtaking artistic expression, turning Hollywood into a franchise-focused landscape. Bessner explores the precarious state of television storytelling, the challenges faced by creators amid rising costs, and the impact of class stratification. Despite the grim realities, he finds a glimmer of hope for the future of innovative storytelling.

Bill’s guests are Esther Perel, Glenn Loury, and Daniel Bessner. (Originally aired 04/21/23)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest Daniel Bessner, a Professor of International Studies, offers keen insights into the failures of post-Cold War liberalism and the rise of populism. He discusses capitalism's impact on society and critiques the Democratic Party's disconnect with voters. The conversation touches on U.S. foreign policy missteps, especially regarding Ukraine, and the complexities of immigration tied to American actions in Central America. Bessner also challenges traditional views about Trump, arguing against labeling him as a fascist.

Last month, the cover of Harper's Magazine declared that the American century is over. Then it asked a single question: What's next? To dig into that question, Lawfare managing editor Tyler McBrien sat down with the cover story’s author, Daniel Bessner, an associate professor in international studies at the University of Washington, who walked us through the history of the American century and the debate over what comes next. Daniel and Tyler discussed the two warring camps at either end, known as the restrainers and the liberal internationalists, and the stakes of their debate for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the world.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and writer Daniel Bessner discusses Hollywood's shift towards prioritizing profits over quality entertainment. They delve into the impact of financial firms like BlackRock, Disney's acquisitions, and the influence of economic downturns on creativity. The discussion also explores the financial risks faced by creators, class divisions in the industry, and the effects of financialization on content quality in the entertainment sector.

Robert Wright, a renowned commentator on global affairs, joins Middle East analyst Derek Davison and foreign policy scholar Daniel Bessner to dissect the lingering impacts of the Israel-Hamas conflict. They discuss whether a different U.S. president would have altered the situation in Gaza and the retreat of Saudi-Israel normalization efforts. The trio deep dives into the diminishing prospects for a two-state solution, while also parsing the implications of Israel's recent actions in Lebanon, painting a complex picture of regional geopolitics.

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison, co-hosts of the American Prestige podcast, dive deep into the intersection of cinema and real-life politics. They analyze the film 'Wag the Dog' and its portrayal of political manipulation, paralleling it with the influence of Hollywood in shaping public perception. The conversation also touches on Bill Clinton’s film choices, the complexities surrounding Kamala Harris, and the fine line between political communication and propaganda. Get ready for insights that challenge perceptions and reveal the power dynamics of storytelling!

Authors and pundits discuss the impact of Trump's attempted assassination, critique anti-Trump historians, and advise against demonizing him. They delve into the evolving media landscape, the consequences of sanctions, and strategies for driving change in political campaigns.

Robert Wright, Derek Davison, and Daniel Bessner discuss the ongoing Gaza conflict, Biden's political stance, and Trump's potential actions. They analyze Israel's plan for post-war Gaza and touch on the complexities in American media coverage. The conversation delves into the challenges of governance in Gaza and the implications for the Palestinian Authority's role.

John McWhorter, Daniel Bessner & Tyler Austin Harper discuss the Gaza War, cancel culture silence on Israel, safety concerns of American Jewish students, DEI vs antisemitism response teams, linguistic ambiguity of 'From the river to the sea', conflict between campus social justice and donor funding, and the crisis of liberalism.