New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 23, 2025 • 43min
Michael Tondre, "Oil" (Bloomsbury, 2024)
Michael Tondre, a cultural historian and English professor at Stony Brook University, dives deep into the complex legacy of oil in modern life. He reveals how oil shapes selfhood and societal norms, critiquing simplistic narratives of its discovery through the lens of race and exploitation. Tondre discusses the cultural impacts of oil on literature and art, highlighting works by Proust and Antonioni. He also explores the innovative Museum of Carbon Ruins, emphasizing collective action for a post-oil future amid climate change challenges.
Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 38min
August H. Nimtz and Kyle A. Edwards, "The Communist and the Revolutionary Liberal in the Second American Revolution" (Brill, 2024)
August H. Nimtz, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, and Kyle A. Edwards, a curriculum administrator and class struggle researcher, explore the interplay of revolutionary liberalism and communism. They delve into the significance of historical figures like Marx and Douglass during the Civil War. Their discussion connects these ideas to modern movements like Black Lives Matter. They also critique how historical narratives, such as the 1619 Project, overlook class struggles, emphasizing the importance of grassroots activism over traditional politics.
Jan 16, 2025 • 52min
Alva Gotby, "Feeling at Home: Transforming the Politics of Housing" (Verso, 2025)
Alva Gotby is a London-based writer and tenant organizer, known for her works on housing justice, including "Feeling at Home." In this engaging discussion, Gotby delves into how housing influences our well-being and the concept of dignity. She critiques traditional housing solutions and emphasizes the emotional toll of instability, particularly on marginalized groups. The conversation also tackles tenant power, the health implications of poor housing, and the transformative potential of community care beyond nuclear family models.
Jan 15, 2025 • 56min
Arthur Bradley, "Staging Sovereignty: Theory, Theater, Thaumaturgy" (Columbia UP, 2024)
Arthur Bradley, a professor of comparative literature at Lancaster University and author renowned for his works on political erasure, dives into the intricacies of theater and sovereignty. He discusses how theatricality shapes our understanding of political authority, reflecting on significant props like thrones and their historical meanings. The conversation also touches on political thaumaturgy—where wonder and spectacle intertwine politics with performance. Bradley shares insights on mentoring young scholars and the evolution of academic writing sparked by the 2020 lockdown.
Jan 12, 2025 • 38min
James Malazita, "Enacting Platforms: Feminist Technoscience and the Unreal Engine" (MIT Press, 2024)
James Malazita, Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies and Game Design at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, delves into the cultural intersections of the Unreal game engine through feminist, race, and queer theories. He critiques the platform studies framework, exploring its sociocultural limits and the complex relationship between technology and identity. Malazita highlights issues of racial representation in game design and advocates for a more inclusive critical approach, urging scholars to examine gaming's broader social implications.
Jan 11, 2025 • 1h 25min
Matthew McManus, "The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism" (Routledge, 2024)
Matthew McManus, a Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Michigan, discusses his book on liberal socialism. He traces its roots from early thinkers like Wollstonecraft and Paine to contemporary theorists. Key topics include the critique of modern capitalism, the intertwined nature of equality and liberty, and the flaws of meritocracy. McManus argues for a revitalized liberal socialism, encouraging individual development while addressing economic and racial inequalities. His insights offer a hopeful vision for blending socialist principles with liberal ideals.
Jan 11, 2025 • 44min
Jennifer Greenburg, "At War with Women: Military Humanitarianism and Imperial Feminism in an Era of Permanent War" (Cornell UP, 2023)
Jennifer Greenburg, a political geographer and lecturer at the University of Sheffield, discusses her book, which examines the intersection of military humanitarianism and feminist discourse post-9/11. She reveals how U.S. military strategies transformed to incorporate women in combat roles, raising questions about imperial feminism. Greenburg critiques the romanticized narratives around women's rights in warfare and highlights the conflicting dynamics between gender, military training, and humanitarian efforts, emphasizing the need to reconsider traditional feminist perspectives.
Jan 11, 2025 • 1h 13min
Cordelia Fine, "Testosterone Rex: Myths of Sex, Science, and Society" (Norton, 2018)
Cordelia Fine, a professor of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne, challenges entrenched beliefs about sex and gender through her book, *Testosterone Rex*. She debunks the myths linking testosterone to masculinity and examines how societal expectations shape our understanding of gender roles. Fine discusses the complexities of sexual selection and critiques evolutionary psychology's simplistic views. She advocates for a nuanced approach to gender that accounts for biology and cultural context, previewing her upcoming work on gender equality.
4 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
Gabriele Badano and Alasia Nuti, "Politicizing Political Liberalism: On the Containment of Illiberal and Antidemocratic Views" (Oxford UP, 2024)
Alasia Nuti, a Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of York, discusses her co-authored work on political liberalism. She explores the dynamics of containing illiberal views in democratic societies, emphasizing the balance between inclusion and core values. The conversation delves into the rise of right-wing populism and the responsibilities of citizens in defending democracy. Nuti highlights the role of social media in democratic backsliding and advocates for a proactive approach to uphold liberal ideals in contemporary political discourse.
12 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 22min
Negative Life
Steven Swarbrick and Jean-Thomas Tremblay dive into the provocative concept of 'negative life,' revealing the misalignment between individual needs and species survival. They critique ecocriticism’s often romantic views and explore how existing social relationships reflect a broken world. The discussion navigates pleasure versus trauma through film and psychoanalysis, urging listeners to confront flaws in ethical understandings. Ultimately, they connect the absurdity of existence to potential change, embracing hope amid unpredictability.
