John Anderson: Conversations

John Anderson speaks with Lord Mervyn King about the shortcomings of modern economics, including its detachment from practical issues and over-reliance on modelling. They discuss the failures of economic forecasting during the COVID-19 pandemic and on climate change, stressing the importance of humility and honesty from policymakers. The discussion extends to socio-economic challenges like rising national debt and intergenerational inequality in Western democracies.The conversation also touches on modern monetary theory, quantitative easing, and the geopolitical implications of trade policies, especially with China. Lord King offers a critique of central bank digital currencies and cryptocurrencies, advocating against a completely cashless society.

Konstantin Kisin, a comedian, podcaster, and writer, shares insights from his recent American tour while dissecting the UK election's fallout. He discusses the Conservative Party's decline and the rise of the Reform Party, emphasizing the implications of voter apathy. Delving into the Ukraine conflict, Kisin calls for strong leadership and pragmatic solutions. He also reflects on Australia's cultural resilience against Western ideological pressures, highlighting the need for personal responsibility and meaningful connections to address contemporary challenges.

Join John Anderson as he interviews Peter Hitchens after the recent defeat of the Tories and the ascension of Keir Starmer. Hitchens offers a critical perspective on the Conservative Party and their gradual embrace of Tony Blair’s New Labour policies. He and John also explore the impact of public disengagement, the influence of public relations & advertising on politics, and the decline of traditional institutions like education, the family and local government.Hitchens also discusses the complexities of international relations, including Britain's alliance with the US and the situation in Israel. The discussion concludes with Hitchens' reflections on the diminishing role of Christianity in the West and the importance of a return to its moral principles in statecraft.

Join John Anderson in a conversation with Andrew Kern, an advocate for classical education. They discuss the transformative power of classical education, challenges posed by technology, and the rise of homeschooling. Kern emphasizes the integration of Christian values with classical education principles to create coherent and harmonious learning environments.

In this interview, John speaks with Iain McGilchrist about the differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and their impact on our perception and interaction with the world. Iain explains that the left hemisphere focuses on details and immediate tasks, while the right hemisphere maintains a broad, vigilant awareness of the environment. He discusses how modern society overemphasizes the left hemisphere's functions, leading to a loss of meaning, beauty, and wisdom.

In this interview, John Anderson speaks with Peter Court and Walter Purio, experts in maritime security, about Australia's vulnerabilities in shipping logistics and maritime defence.They highlight Australia's lack of domestically registered international trading ships, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign vessels. They also examine the economic and strategic risks posed by this dependency, especially during crises.

In this conversation, John joins Alexander Downer to explore the significant geopolitical challenges of today, drawing comparisons to the dangerous period of the 1930s.Alexander warns of potential large-scale conflicts stemming from entanglements in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for a strong, principled approach to foreign policy.

Dennis Prager discusses the deepening divisions in America, emphasizing the need to fight for goodness and truth despite challenges. Topics include anti-Semitism, historical atrocities, the political divide in US cities, border control, nationalism, and the effects of progressive ideologies on young men and women.

Victor Davis Hanson discusses his new book and unrest in America pre-2024 election. They talk about left-wing ideology in education, Trump's appeal, and historical patterns of decline to prevent catastrophes. They also explore factors influencing the upcoming election, riots, protests, legal battles, migration trends, white supremacy in the military, and Trump's impact on politics.

In this interview, John talks to highly esteemed author, commentator and theologian, Dr Albert Mohler.Dr Mohler and John discuss the political history and landscape of America in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election.Dr Mohler explores Christian perspectives on American politics, including the difficult choice both President Trump and Biden present to voters due to their disqualifying ethical views and character traits.They also address the rise of Christian nationalism, and the misunderstandings and hostilities towards evangelicalism.