Bungacast

Wolfgang Streeck, a prominent economic sociologist and former director of the Max Planck Institute, dives into the crises facing capitalism and democracy. He discusses the elusive revival of nation-state democracy and the shift of Europe’s globalists towards militarization. Streeck critiques left-wing populists for missing opportunities amid the dual crisis and unpacks how democracy has morphed into a discussion of principles rather than a power struggle. His insights prompt a compelling dialogue about de-globalization and the potential for local governance.

Alex Gourevitch, a political science professor at Brown University and contributing editor, delves into the critical issues surrounding free speech and protest, particularly regarding Palestine solidarity demonstrations. He discusses how university administrations have attacked the right to protest and the complicity of pro-Israel groups in silencing political speech. Gourevitch also critiques how progressive rhetoric around 'harm' has undermined protest rights, while exploring the motivations behind institutional defenses of Israel amidst growing tensions on campuses.

On Poland's election, its history, its self-conception. Philosopher Maciej Szlinder joins us to talk about Polish politics, society and history. Maciej is a member of the general council of the left-wing political party Razem ("Together"), as well as the president of the Polish Basic Income Network, so we discuss these matters as well as the general context. How did Poland represent a beacon of neoliberal democracy to Western liberals in the 80s and 90s – and what happened next? What does Poland represent, to Poles and to the rest of Europe, today? Is the political duopoly of the centrist Civic Platform and the right-wing Law and Justice falling apart? Why is political turnout up – and what anti-establishment parties are the young voting for? Why is Poland the most pro-American country in Europe, and how does Trump affect that? What is Poland's huge economic success felt like on the ground? How does precarious employment and emigration impact Polish politics? Links: In the Polish Mirror, Gavin Rae, New Left Review In Poland, Presidential Hopefuls Battle for Young Voters Who Don’t Like Them, NY Times

On the former Yugoslavia and the ethnography of anti-nationalists. [For the full episode, subscribe: patreon.com/bungacast] [Reading Club LIVE: Sat 14 June, 9am LA, 12am NY, 5pm London, 6pm Berlin] In the third installment of this block on inter/nationalism in the 21st century, we take a look at the other side of nationalism, through scholar Stefaan Jansen's “Anti-nationalism: Post-Yugoslav Resistance and Narratives of Self and Society”. Who are the Somewheres and Anywheres in post-Yugoslavia? How does Jansen understand the marginalisation of anti-nationalism in Serbia and Croatia? Is understanding nationalism and anti-nationalism as discursive practices a useful lens for understanding post-Yugoslav identities? Why is the act of forgetting or misremembering significant in the context of post-Yugoslav anti-nationalist narratives? How did the contrast between pre-war Yugoslavia and post-war realities shape anti-nationalist identities? Must individuality be anti-nationalist? Reading Club 2024/25 Syllabus: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TRn6kWzICbqUBo64Jp-c8TS0K4axTy3M/view

On the end of the (very) long 1960s. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Contributing Editor Lee Jones joins Alex and George to talk through the themes and stories of the month, including MAGA's war on universities, right-populists in power, and culture war. Plus we deal with your questions and comments on: lawfare, video games, and the 'new class'. What is TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out)? How should we respond to rightist attempts to rewrite the past? Why are Angela Merkel and Donald Trump representative of the age, in similar and different ways? Are people sick of subversion and just want order? What happens as the Boomers leave public life? Can we bracket 1960-2020? When should we throw the book at politicians? Links: Trump’s Tariff Gamble and the Decay of the Neoliberal Order, Lee Jones, American Affairs The Techno-Populist Convergence, Alex Hochuli, Compact How Labor won the preference war (and screwed the Greens), Financial Review Saving Britain’s Universities: Academic Freedom, Democracy and Renewal, Lee Jones and Philip Cunliffe, Cieo

Join writer Alex Gendler, known for his insights into the online rationalist subculture and author of 'Homo Algorithmicus', as he explores the cultural impact of incel communities over the past five years. He delves into the definition of 'TESCREAL' and its anti-human rationalism. Gendler also discusses the divide in Silicon Valley between altruistic and libertarian ideologies, the controversial debates surrounding birth rates, and the intersection of technology with modern masculinity, questioning the future of human values in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

On what is next for 'PMC theory' [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] The social media avatar known as Christopher Lasch's Angry Ghost joins us to unpick the conjuncture: as the Trump administration makes cuts and seeks to do away with progressives in bureaucracies, where does that leave the left-wing critique of the PMC? What would Lasch's ghost be telling us now? Is the PMC a class? Is it distinct people? Or is it more like procedures, and ways of thinking? Is woke over? Will the MANGOs (media, academia, NGOs) carry on? Can the PMC still advance oppositional politics or it hopeless compromised? What will be the effect on AI doing away with professional class jobs? Is vice-signalling replacing virtue-signalling? Links: Death of a Yuppie Dream, Barbara Ehrenreich, RosaLux (pdf) It’s Our Fault, Dustin Guastella, Damage Trump’s purge of the professionals, Ryan Zickgraf, UnHerd This obsession with a ‘new elite’ hides the real roots of power, Kenan Malik, The Guardian The Techno-Populist Convergence, Alex Hochuli, Compact

Enikő Vincze, an academic and activist from Babes Bolyai University, dives deep into the turbulent waters of Romanian politics. She unpacks the recent annulled election, exploring how Romanian politics mirrors broader European trends of misinformation and populism. The conversation probes the dynamics of upcoming elections and the so-called 'anti-system' parties. Vincze also examines the conflicts influenced by the Ukraine War and questions the Right’s promises of sovereignty, all while highlighting the pressing housing struggles in Romania.

Pawel Kaczmarski, a literary critic and expert in modern Polish literature, dives into the transformative potential of video games alongside hosts George and Alex. They explore how games like Helldivers 2 aim to teach agency but ultimately miss the mark. The conversation shifts to the upcoming elections in Poland, reflecting on voter disillusionment and political rhetoric. Kaczmarski also critiques the current state of both video game and literary criticism, questioning their relevance and engagement in today's cultural landscape.

On the charges against France's Marine Le Pen. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Alex and George discuss some main stories from the past month. After the death of Pope Francis, what's behind left-wing sympathy for the late Pope – and more widespread appreciation for Catholicism? Why do we want a progressive Pope, and would a reactionary one be better for us? Why is the US deporting people to Nayib Bukele's Salvadorian prisons, and what makes this so dystopian? Then Alex calls up Jacobin's Europe editor David Broder to understand the charges against Marine Le Pen. Is Marine Le Pen a victim of lawfare, or has she been hoist by her own petard? What are the consequences for the Rassemblement National, and for French politics? What has the European radical right's response been to Trump II so far? And we respond to your questions and comments from the past month on: Holding politicians to account on free speech Listening to poetry Redistribution as the obvious solution to the crisis Clientelism and hyperpolitics