New Books in Critical Theory

Listen to a discussion with Matt Houlbrook, Katie Jones, and Ben Mechen as they delve into the history of men and masculinities in modern Britain. Topics include the intersection of state bureaucracy and masculinity, narratives of masculinity in Sheffield and Liverpool, and reflective moments on masculinity in the historical profession. Discover how historical research can provide insights into understanding contemporary society.

Maya Wind exposes how Israeli universities support oppression against Palestinians by hindering education rights, suppressing critical scholarship, and targeting student dissent. The podcast discusses the historical collaboration between Israeli universities and the military industry, the role of academic disciplines in furthering the settler colonial project, and student resistance within universities.

Author Wendy Matsumura discusses her book on anti-imperialist struggles in Japan's empire, highlighting the erasure of colonial violence and the importance of engaging with anti-Blackness and anti-Indigeneity. She explores the consequences of the Japanese empire's categorization of people, the role of racialized women in safeguarding archives, and the enduring impact of colonial sensibility on the present.

Dr. Joanne Leow discusses 'Counter-Cartographies: Reading Singapore Otherwise,' exploring resistance in Singapore's artistic and literary scenes. Topics include colonial legacies, political control, terraforming, artist interventions, subversive mapping, family connections, and confabulation in shaping narratives and envisioning alternate futures.

Paul Rekret, author of 'Take This Hammer: Work, Song, Crisis', discusses the evolving relationship between work and music in a changing capitalist landscape. Topics include the impact of precarious work on popular music, the resurgence of Japanese ambient music, the evolution of trap music, and the marketing of global musics to Western audiences.

Author Sasha Warren discusses radical experimentation in mental health care under capitalism, exploring global movements and revolutionary approaches in psychiatry. The podcast delves into debunking psychiatric myths, institutional psychotherapy in France, and the intersection of psychiatry with racism and colonialism, highlighting the need for transformative practices within the field.

Historian Laura Robson discusses how refugees have been exploited as disposable labor throughout history, challenging traditional narratives. She explores the evolution of the international refugee regime, the League of Nations' influence, and the role of refugees in European imperial interests. The podcast delves into refugee policies, including segregation and resettlement, and upcoming projects on statelessness and the League of Nations.

Premal Dharia, author of 'Dismantling Mass Incarceration: A Handbook for Change,' discusses actionable solutions to mass incarceration. Topics include police reform, progressive prosecutors, the role of judges in sentencing, challenges in judicial candidate transparency, rethinking prisons, and societal impacts of post-incarceration reentry.

Dr. Jonathan Judaken discusses critical theories of anti-Semitism, examining its definitions, causes, historical evolution, and contemporary relevance. He explores the theories of various thinkers like Sartre, the Frankfurt School, and Arendt, emphasizing the entanglement of Judeophobia with other forms of racism. The podcast delves into the impact of anti-Semitism on modern nationalism, globalization, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Jonathan Tran discusses the intersection of race and capitalism in Asian American experiences, challenging traditional notions of racism and advocating for a shift towards addressing systemic inequalities. He explores the complexities of racial capitalism through case studies and debunks the model minority myth, urging listeners to engage with thought-provoking content.