WHAT IS POLITICS?

In the book Abundance, left liberal authors Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson identify unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape as an important factor in why there is a shortage of housing across the USA. Very quickly, billionaires and powerful donors have rallied to fund American politicians who campaign on an “Abundance Agenda”. Why is big money so excited about Abundance?  What will happen if the “Abudance Agenda” that they’re funding is adopted by the U.S. Democratic party? 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Bloodbundance: the analogy 07:50 IRL 08:47 The Abundance book thesis 11:03 Who’s supporting the “Abundance agenda”? 12:06 Why zillionaires support the “Abundance agenda” trojan horsery 15:50 Neoliberalism vs Welfare Capitalism vs. Fascism 19:40 Divide and conquer, blame democracy 22:41 The “Abundance agenda” in action: California 27:16 Next time on What is Politics TO SUPPORT MY EXISTENCE: PAYPAL ONE TIME OR MONTHLY DONATIONS PATREON PER EPISODE DONATIONS KO-FI ONE TIME OR MONTHLY DONATIONS TRANSCRIPT BIBLIOGRAPHY / RELEVANT READING VIDEO VERSION (includes high entertainment val-u memes) RSS FEED tweeter: @worbsintowords ALL MUSIC BY STARSIXNINE https://archive.org/download/dumbubdance-01/DUMBUBDANCE%2001.mp3

Delve into the paradox of human greed and the hierarchical structures that shape our societies. Discover how ancient egalitarian norms of hunter-gatherers contrast with today's wealth disparities. Uncover the psychological impacts of wealth, revealing how it can lead to isolation despite material success. Explore the societal dysfunction that arises from extreme economic dominance and the disconnect between the ultra-wealthy and everyday realities. Finally, consider the balance between human desires and the increasing divide as technology evolves.

Dive into the complex narratives surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the moral implications of the war in Gaza. The discussion critiques how historical propaganda has shaped public perception and the justifications for violence. Listeners are urged to consider the humanitarian crisis and the ethical dilemmas faced by both sides. Insights into the failed Oslo Accords, the plight of Palestinian refugees, and the divisive role of identity politics add depth, while a hopeful call for peace resonates throughout.

The outdated left-right political spectrum misrepresents modern dynamics, as elites distort its meaning to maintain power. The podcast exposes how this confusion fuels inequality and threatens democracy. It argues for a move away from superficial identity politics to a focus on genuine economic equality. The hosts discuss the contradictions in political figures' agendas and highlight the deceptive nature of right-wing populism. Finally, they stress the importance of organized movements to reclaim political identities and ensure voting aligns with economic interests.

The podcast delves into the surge of nationalist and populist right movements globally, connecting it to rising economic inequality and stagnant leftist responses. It questions why the far left isn't seeing the same success, focusing on how elite interests exploit nationalism to distract from social issues. The discussion critiques economic policies benefiting the wealthy, the disconnect between political narratives and everyday experiences, and the historical manipulation of nationalism as a tool for distraction.

Dive into the fascinating historical narrative of Jewish life in Europe and its pivotal role in the rise of Zionism. The discussion navigates the complexities of anti-Semitism, class structure, and cultural struggles, revealing hidden stories often overlooked by both sides. Explore how nationalism intertwined with economic hardships shaped Jewish identity and migration patterns. The critique of simplistic views on Zionism and colonialism invites a deeper understanding of power dynamics, encouraging a re-evaluation of contentious perspectives.

Dive into complex narratives of the Israel-Palestine conflict, as the host addresses pressing questions and critiques. Explore the moral dilemmas of warfare and the human cost behind the headlines. Analyze the rise of right-wing sentiment in Israel and its implications for violence against Palestinians. Discuss the challenges of navigating language and terminology in activism, and uncover the historical intricacies of settler responsibility. This conversation urges critical analysis and empathy amidst a polarized landscape.

Dive into a raw brainstorming session that questions why society feels so chaotic. Explore the evolution of universities from elitist institutions to potential vehicles for change. Discover the powerful role of propaganda in shaping narratives around the Israel-Palestine conflict. The podcast tackles complex historical ties to land, identity, and the moral dilemmas facing both communities. It also emphasizes the urgent need for critical thinking in activism and the role of diverse perspectives in fostering understanding.

Elites use identity, particularly national identity, as a way of advancing their own interests, often against the interests of the populations that they pretend to represent. But before we can understand this, we need an ABC of the conflict, to get a grasp of the basic events, and the conflicting historical narratives that Israelis and Palestinians learn, which interpret all of these events in completely different ways, with opposite moral implications, so that we can then proceed to look at what actually happened, and what the moral implications of that are for the present and future.   Doctors Without Borders in Gaza and West Bank: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/gaza-msf-provides-medical-care-and-donates-supplies-amidst-conflict/ Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net If you’re in the U.S. demand that your representative vote to stop funding this massacre. This episode took me almost five full time months to make – there’s no way that I can do these without your help: PAYPAL ONE TIME OR MONTHLY DONATIONS: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XJ6HBHFJ6C3RU PATREON PER EPISODE DONATIONS: https://www.patreon.com/whatispolitics KO-FI ONE TIME OR MONTHLY DONATIONS: ko-fi.com/whatispolitics TRANSCRIPT: (coming soon) BIBLIOGRAPHY: https://www.patreon.com/posts/99426446 (no paywall) VIDEO VERSION (you’re missing a lot in this episode without all the image and articles!): https://www.youtube.com/@WHATISPOLITICS69 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WHATISPOLITICS tweeter: @worbsintowords ALL MUSIC BY STARSIXNINE: starsixnine.bandcamp.com https://spotify.link/uYoXHLwmkDb https://archive.org/download/12-israel-palestine/12%20-%20ISRAEL%20PALESTINE.mp3

Delve into the provocative shift from 'equality' to 'equity' and how it influences political discourse. Discover the troubling dynamics between liberty and wealth disparity, and the ways established powers hijack progressive movements. Analyze the impact of discrimination on economic exploitation, and how superficial reforms miss the mark. Explore the complexities of college admissions, revealing biases against underprivileged students. Finally, the call for economic unity challenges divisive politics, inviting a deeper conversation on class and solidarity.