Bungacast

In this engaging discussion, historian Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, an expert on Iran’s political landscape, delves into the complexities following the 12-Day War involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S. He explores the significance of Iran's shifting focus towards nationalism and the implications for its identity. The conversation also covers the weakened status of Hamas and Hezbollah, the potential inevitability of a nuclear Iran, and the reconfiguration of regional alliances with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states amidst escalating tensions.

James Hughes, Executive Director at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and Eli Sennesh, a neuroscience postdoc at Vanderbilt, dive into the intricate world of technology and transhumanism. They examine the validity of the acronym TESCREAL and argue against fears of future transhumanism while grappling with present technologies. The duo critiques bourgeois futurism and explores the socio-political implications of AI, healthcare challenges, and the connection between gender ideology and transhumanism, presenting a complex dialogue on our technological future.

The podcast delves into the possibility of a US war on Iran that never transpired, sparking fascinating discussions on political narratives and public perception. They introduce the concept of 'sanewashing,' where radical ideas are softened to gain mainstream traction. The hosts navigate the complexities of political polarization in the U.S. while addressing listener questions about topics like 'Woke Dungeons and Dragons' and the balance between feeling safe and being safe. It's a thought-provoking exploration of today's political landscape.

James Pogue, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair and author of Chosen Country: A Rebellion in the West, dives into the pivotal 2016 Malheur occupation and its ideological implications. He discusses how the Jacksonian concept of America resonates today and what it reveals about political polarization. With insights on Mormonism's role in U.S. history and the ongoing divide in conservative circles, Pogue explores the clash of beliefs within the MAGA movement and the broader narrative of winners versus losers in American politics.

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.