New Books in Critical Theory

Lydia Zvyagintseva and Mary Greenshields discuss the absence of the land question in libraries, the need to center land as a foundational category in understanding libraries, the significance of continuing conversations about land and libraries, lessons learned and challenges faced in a book project, and the importance of building on ideas and fostering discussions.

Biko Mandela Gray and Ryan J. Johnson discuss their book 'Phenomenology of Black Spirit' which explores the relationship between Hegel's classic text and Black Thought. They reveal how Hegel's abstract dialectic is transformed and critiqued when placed in conversation with Black thinkers. The speakers also discuss the challenges and rewards of co-authoring the book, delve into the concept of phenomenology and its connection to Blackness, and explore the significance of historical figures like Harriet Tubman and John Brown in Black communities.

Anat Rosenberg, Kristof Smeyers, and Astrid Van den Bossche discuss the fresh historiographies of capitalism offered by studies of enchantment and magical thinking. They explore economic enchantments through advertising and consumption, and discuss the dynamic relationship between individuals and structures, including the influence of legal frameworks and the role of influencers. They also examine enchantment in relation to capitalism, its role in shaping economic institutions and relationships, and the commodification of enchantment.

Andrea Jamison, author of 'Decentering Whiteness in Libraries: A Framework for Inclusive Collection Management Practices', discusses the history of inequality in libraries, the use of the Library Bill of Rights as an advocacy tool, and the importance of updating library policies for equity and inclusion. They also explore the significance of collection development policies and the need for accessibility and commitment to equity in libraries.

Old friends--one a Jew, the other a Christian--Leonard (Lenny) Grob and John K. Roth are philosophers who have long studied the Holocaust. That experience makes us anxious about democracy, because we are also Americans living in perilous times. The 2020s remind us of the 1930s when Nazis destroyed democracy in Germany. Carnage followed. In the 2020s, Donald Trump and his followers endanger democracy in the United States. With Vladimir Putin's ruthless assault against Ukraine compounding the difficulties, democracy must not be taken for granted. Americans love democracy--except when we don't. That division and conflict mean that democracy will be on the ballot in the 2024 American elections. Probing the prospects, Warnings: The Holocaust, Ukraine, and Endangered American Democracy (Cascade Books, 2023) features exchanges between us that underscore the most urgent threats to democracy in the United States and show how to resist them. What's most needed is ethical patriotism that urges us Americans to be our best selves. Our best selves defend liberal democracy; they strive for inclusive pluralism. Our best selves resist decisions and policies like those that led to the Holocaust or genocidal war in Ukraine or conspiracies to overturn fair and free elections in the United States. Our best selves reject antisemitism and racism; they oppose hypocrisy and autocracy. Our best selves hold lying leaders accountable. Our best selves believe that, against all odds, democracy can win out if we never give up trying to be our best.Jeff Bachman is an associate professor at American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC. 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 podcast, eminent Marxist historian Harry Harootunian discusses his book on Japan's capitalist development. He challenges the notion of linear progression and emphasizes the importance of incorporating practices from the past. They explore passive revolutions and the rise of fascism in Italy, Japan, and Germany. They also discuss Japan's managerial techniques and the global fascist imaginary.

Chris Cutrone investigates the failure of the Millennial Left to embrace socialism. He critiques the history of the Left and its absence of Marxism. Topics include the origins of the name 'Platypus,' encounters with the Spartacist League, controversies around the American Revolution and socialism, and the legacy of the American and French Revolutions. He also discusses upcoming projects, including a sequel to the book and a review of a biography of Milton Friedman.

This podcast explores the concept of the Plantationocene as a critical engagement with the Anthropocene, discussing its origins and implications. It also delves into the relationship between urbanization and agriculture, highlighting resistance from small-scale cultivators. The feasibility of transformative change in human-environment interaction is discussed, along with the disparity in wages and the potential for reform.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, researcher and author specializing in theorizing capitalist racism in the United States, discusses the conjoined nature of the Black Scare and Red Scare in the early 20th century. She explores how US capitalist racist society and Wall Street imperialism intertwine to maintain racial and economic order. The podcast also examines the intersection of black radicalism and state repression, and explores the parallels between the South African apartheid government and the American state in their fear of African Americans.

Martin Jay, author of Immanent Critiques: The Frankfurt School Under Pressure, explores the continuing relevance of the Frankfurt School in the 21st century. He critically examines various ideas within the school, such as the pathologization of political deviance, the theological premises of Walter Benjamin's work, and the analysis of anti-Semitism and Zionism. The podcast also delves into the complexities of understanding authoritarianism, the support for authoritarian populism, and Walter Benjamin's integration of theology into historical materialism.