New Books in Critical Theory

Maria Kaika is a professor specializing in urban political ecology at the University of Amsterdam, while Luca Ruggiero focuses on economic geography at the University of Catania. They delve into how 19th-century class struggles over land have shaped today's financial capitalism. The conversation highlights the transformation of industrial spaces, the impact of financialization on worker rights, and the tension between modern urban development and community displacement. Their insights illustrate the deep, intertwined histories of land and social conflict.

Not so long ago, comedy and laughter were a shared experience of relief, as Freud famously argued. At their best, ribbing, roasting, piss-taking and insulting were the foundation of a kind of universal culture from which friendship, camaraderie and solidarity could emerge.Now, comedy is characterized by edgy humour and misplaced jokes that provoke personal and social anxiety, causing divisive cultural warfare in the media and among people. Our comedy is fraught with tension like never before, and so too is our social life. We often hear the claim that no one can take a joke anymore. But what if we really can’t take jokes anymore?Post-Comedy (Polity, 2025) argues that the spirit of comedy is the first step in the building of society, but that it has been lost in the era of divisive identity politics. Comedy flares up debates about censorship and cancellation, keeping us divided from one other. This goes against the true universalist spirit of comedy, which is becoming a thing of the past and must be recovered.Alfie Bown is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Media at Kings College London. His research focuses on psychoanalysis, digital media and popular culture.He has also worked as a journalist, writing for The Guardian, Paris Review, New Statesman, Tribune, and others. His books include The Playstation Dreamworld, Post-Memes, and Dream Lovers: The Gamification of Relationships.He is the founder of Everyday Analysis which publishes pamphlets and essay collections with contemporary social and political issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

In this discussion, Sam Srauy, an Associate Professor at Oakland University and expert in race and video games, delves into the systemic racism embedded in the video game industry. She examines how notions of the 'imagined gamer' shaped exclusive practices from the 1970s to the 2010s. Topics include the industry's historical evolution, the impact of Japanese gaming companies, and the contrasting worlds of AAA versus indie games. Srauy advocates for inclusivity and structural changes to empower marginalized developers, shedding light on the complexities of gaming culture today.

Dr. Wan-Chuan Kao, a medievalist focused on late Middle Ages literature, delves into the nuanced concept of premodern whiteness in their upcoming book. They explore how whiteness reflects fragility and precarity, challenging the notion that it solely pertains to skin tone. The conversation unpacks the socio-economic symbolism of pearls and their commentary on class distinctions, alongside a critical view of identity and mourning in medieval texts. Kao also examines how historical contexts shape modern perceptions of race and the significance of embodiment beyond mere humanity.

Linh Thuy Nguyen, an Associate Professor of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington, dives into the layers of intergenerational trauma in Vietnamese American culture. She explores how artistic expressions serve as coping mechanisms for the legacies of the Vietnam War and U.S. imperialism. Nguyen critiques the portrayal of Vietnamese families while advocating for understanding the collective histories behind personal narratives, emphasizing themes of identity, resilience, and the impact of structural inequalities.

In this discussion, Giampaolo Conte, an Assistant Professor in Economic History at the University of Roma Tre, critiques liberal-capitalist reforms post-financial crises. He examines how these reforms often favor capitalist elites at the expense of the working and middle classes. Conte explores the historical roots of these reforms, the interplay between capitalism and liberalism, and their role in worsening inequality and fueling nationalism. His insights reveal how financial crises have been exploited to enforce policies that deepen economic divides.

Tabish Khair, an acclaimed novelist and academic at Aarhus University, discusses the transformative power of literature in combating fundamentalism. He argues that literature encourages complex thinking and fosters an agnostic approach to belief systems. Khair explores the nuances of religious texts, highlights the importance of context in literary education, and positions classic works as relevant to modern issues. He also addresses the impact of cancel culture on literature and advocates for literature as a means of resistance and understanding individual narratives.

Martyn Percy, an accomplished academic and Anglican priest, dives deep into the uncomfortable truths of colonialism's grip on the Church of England. He reveals how English Anglicanism, intertwined with empire and exploitation, faces a crisis of identity and moral reckoning. The discussion spans the church's historical complicity in slavery, its evolving role post-revolution, and the current calls for reform amid declining influence. Percy urges a reckoning with the past while emphasizing the need for the Church to engage genuinely with contemporary issues of justice and equality.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Adnan Husain, an Associate Professor of Medieval and Middle Eastern History at Queen's University, delves into the nuances of rewriting history. He critiques Eurocentric narratives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultures in the medieval Mediterranean. Husain addresses the challenges of categorizing history, advocating for decolonial perspectives that embrace diverse timelines. The conversation also explores the complexities of inter-religious encounters and the importance of inclusivity in historical narratives.

Eugene W. Holland, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University, explores the troubling intersection of capitalism with sadism and masochism in his work, 'Perversions of the Market.' He delves into how globalized capitalism institutionalizes these behaviors, reshaping identity, consumption, and production. The conversation touches on psychoanalysis, the complexities of consumer pleasure and pain, and the urgent need for reevaluating capitalist structures in light of class, race, and ecological implications, highlighting a path towards potential social change.