Bungacast

On slavery, racism, and the politics of freedom. Renowned sociologist Orlando Patterson talks to contributing editor Alex Gourevitch about themes brought up by his recent The Paradox of Freedom as well as his works as a whole. Why is the study of slavery too affected by the exceptional US American experience? In what way is violence a constitutive feature of slave relations that aren’t true of others? Are we still mired in a politics of ethnic chauvinism? What does it mean for ethnic minorities to engage in self-criticism? Is there a politics of freedom that is hopeful today or has it been eclipsed?

The fifth and final part of a series on generational consciousness and conflict. In this episode, we examine the Millennials and Generation Z. Uniquely, generation war today seems to be a conflict over resources more than over values. Is there any basis for this, and what do Millennials actually want? With generational and class conflict seemingly bound together today, we analyse 'Generation Left' and 'Millennial Socialism'. And we ask what the effect of the pandemic may be on the creation of a Gen Z consciousness. Guests include: Paul Taylor, former director, Pew Research Jennie Bristow, senior lecturer in sociology at Canterbury Christ Church University Helen Andrews, senior editor at The American Conservative Clive Martin, journalist who has written for VICE Magazine Josh Glenn, semiotician, author, and publisher of HiLoBrow Jennifer Silva, assistant professor in sociologist, Indiana University Original music by: Jonny Mundey Additional music: Cacti / I Will Be Waiting / courtesy of epidemicsound.com Filthy the Kid / Vampire / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

The fourth in a special five-part series on generational consciousness and conflict. In this episode, we examine Generation X – the generation of the End of History. How was this generation overshadowed by the Boomer's failures? In the Eastern Bloc, the fall of Soviet regimes was a traumatic moment – how did this shape consciousness? And how did the Iranian Revolution – and subsequent war – shape the political perspectives of Iranians? Guests include: Maren Thom, film scholar Alexei Yurchak, professor of anthropology at Berkeley Jennie Bristow, senior lecturer in sociology at Canterbury Christ Church University Josh Glenn, semiotician, author, and publisher of HiLoBrow Arash Azizi, historian of Iran at New York University Felix Krawatzek, political scientist at the Centre for East European and International Studies in Berlin Original music by: Jonny Mundey Additional music: Kit Kruger / Freakin' Freefall / courtesy of epidemicsound.com

The third in a special five-part series on generational consciousness and conflict.   In this episode, we examine the Baby Boomers – myth and reality. The revolt of the '60s has been misunderstood in many dimensions. Was it betrayed or did it always express capitalist ideology? Were the Boomers the ones who really did the 1960s anyway? And what world have the Boomers created as they passed through life – and institutions?   Guests include: Jennie Bristow, senior lecturer in sociology at Canterbury Christ Church University Helen Andrews, senior editor at The American Conservative Josh Glenn, semiotician, author, and publisher of HiLoBrow Jeffrey Alexander, professor of sociology at Yale University Holger Nehring, chair in contemporary European history at the University of Stirling Kristin Ross, professor emeritus of comparative literature at New York University Original music by: Jonny Mundey   Additional music: Medité / A Change in My Heart / courtesy of epidemicsound.com Ondolut / Blumen / courtesy of epidemicsound.com Elliott Holmes / Bull Chase / courtesy of epidemicsound.com Kick Castle / Kick Down / courtesy of epidemicsound.com T. Morri / Nuthin' but Nuts / courtesy of epidemicsound.com Other Clips: American Pastoral Trailer © 2016 - Lionsgate Mai 1968 © France 3 Paris Ile-de-France Imitation de Daniel Cohn-Bendit © C'est Canteloup Baader Meinhof Complex © 2008

The second in a special five-part series on generational consciousness and conflict. In this episode, we look at the emergence of 'youth' as political concept in the age following the French Revolution, and its shifting meanings. How important was generational consciousness in the Young Italy movement and its imitators in the 19th century, and how should we understand the so-called 'Lost Generation' of 1914? Guests include: Niall Whelahan, Chancellor’s Fellow in History, Strathclyde University Original music by: Jonny Mundey Additional music: Leimoti / Don't Leave It Here / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Leimoti / The Small Things / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Philip Ayers / Trapped in a Maze / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Walt Adams / Dark Tavern / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Other Clips: Black 47 Trailer © 2018 - WildCard Distribution Arracht Trailer © 2019 - Break Out Pictures The Sun Also Rises © 2019 - 20th Century Fox Mr Lloyd George Speaks To The Nation (1931) British Pathé

The first in a special five-part series on generational consciousness and conflict. In this episode, we look at the current, vexed discourse around generations, and analyse competing theories on how to understand generational cleavages. Guests include: Felix Krawatzek, political scientist at the Centre for East European and International Studies in Berlin Jennie Bristow, sociologist at Canterbury Christ Church University Joshua Glenn, semiotician, author, and publisher of HiLoBrow Original music by: Jonny Mundey Additional music: Peter Kuli / OK Boomer / courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group, Inc. Liru / For the Floor / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

On disruption, disturbance, decline, decay. We continue our attempt to conceptualise the present moment by looking at Silicon Valley-style disruption, geopolitical disturbances and 'polycrisis', and decline & decay along two axes: normative vs descriptive, and geopolitical and universal. Then we deal with your questions and comments over the past month on: religious authority; Russia, imperialism, and the USSR; and the limitations to 'the national interest'. Subscribe for the full episode: patreon.com/bungacast

[Bungacast is on holiday, so we're unlocking/re-releasing a July 2021 episode that was previously only available to higher-tier subscribers] We discuss Michael Lind's The New Class War. Lind identifies new lines in the class war, between working class and managerial overclass, between those in the "heartlands" and those in the "hubs". How convincing is this account? What is his critique of technocratic managerialism and its symptom, populism? How convincing - and realistic - is his solution of "democratic pluralism"? And is this only achievable as a result of a new cold war with China?

On The National Interest. Aufhebunga Bunga co-founder and contributing editor Phil Cunliffe joins us to talk about his new book about politics after the age of globalisation. We ask questions about his book – and then put him on trial for wrongthink. SUBSCRIBE: PATREON.COM/BUNGACAST Who is the 'national interest' good for? Is it a domestic or a foreign policy concern? Why did the 'national interest' disappear from our political vocabulary? Is the national interest an abstraction anyone can rhetorically claim? Is that not dangerous? What happens if leading politicians – or elites in general – adopt the national interest? Would this be good or bad? Will Trump's re-assertion of US interests push others to defend theirs? Does the national interest stand against class interests? Is this anti-socialist? Was Stalin-style socialism-in-one-country actually correct? Has Phil come around to supporting Roosevelt-style social democracy? Links: The National Interest: Politics After Globalization, Philip Cunliffe, Polity

On image-enhancing drugs. Jason Myles of This Is Revolution is back on, talking to George and Alex H about his article in Damage on increasing steroid use. What does the discourse around 'fake natties' tell us about authenticity? Do SSRIs provide "fake happy"? If steroids are a short-cut, how do we understand the "work" in "working out"? Is the taboo on drug use completely gone? Are we medicating to counter the side-effects of other meds? How do issues such as steroids and trans reveal contradictory attitudes to the body? Have the links between body, image, sex, and eroticism been erased? For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: Self-Catfishing with Steroids, Jason Myles, Damage  Shedeur Sanders and the Marketization of College Sports, Jason Myles, Damage  /359/ Apollo Gets High ft. Benjamin Fong

On Franz Jakubowski's Ideology and Superstructure in Historical Materialism. We focus on a very short section from Jakubowski's 1936 book, and delve into wider questions regarding ideology, social totality, and the middle classes. Is ideology “false, partial consciousness”? Is Jakubowski right that capitalism is the least ideological social form so far? Is it true that the middle classes only come into contact with the commodity when it is in circulation? How is the middle class' social position reflected in its worldview? How has this changed over 100 years? For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: Ideology and Superstructure in Historical Materialism, Chapter: “Ideology and the Classes of Bourgeois Society” (pp. 49-52) OK BUNGER! The Problem of Generations (FULL) The Middle-Class Leviathan: Corona, the "Fascism" Blackmail, and the Defeat of the Working Class, Elena Lange & Joshua Pickett-Depaolis The Rise of the Professionals, George Hoare, Compact  

On resistance and reform in southeast Asia. Historian Sean Fear talks to Alex H and Lee Jones about Vietnam on the 50-year anniversary since the end of the war. How is Vietnamese identity wrapped up with the notion of resistance? Is Chinese influence as great as resistance to China? How is the ‘American War’ thought about in Vietnam today? How similar is Vietnam to China: defying Fukuyama’s thesis by retaining a state-socialist political system while adopting capitalism? Why has Vietnam achieved rapid growth and development while neighbours have failed? How is Vietnam reacting to being at the centre of Trump tariff disputes? For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: The Republic of Vietnam, 1955–1975: Vietnamese Perspectives on Nation Building, Sean Fear, Tuong Vu (eds.), Cornell UP /115/ Singapore Shangri-La ft. Lee Jones Post-Cold War Vietnam: stay low, learn, adapt and try to have fun – but what about the party?, Adam Fforde

On the end of the end of history and what comes next. Phil is back on the pod, talking with George and Alex about the big themes of the podcast. In particular, we look at a recent essay in Foreign Policy by historian Christopher Clarke called "The End of Modernity". To what extent was the 1989 moment as significant in Beijing as Berlin? Is Trump actually Stalin (but in a good way)? Is Russia the revisionist power? And if so, in what regard and what are the consequences? Who says the choice is between "liberal democracy" and "authoritarian populism"? Then, we take your questions and comments from the past month. For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: The End of Modernity, Christopher Clarke, Foreign Policy The End of the End of History: Politics in the Twenty-First Century, Bungacast, Zer0 Books Into the Abyss, Ed McNally, Tribune

On the "return of religion" in Britain. [Patreon Exclusive] Journalist Lamorna Ash talks to George and Alex about how and why young people might be turning to religion today. Have things moved on from the New Atheists and their critique of religion? What are the divides in Christianity today? How do culture wars over sexuality play out? Why do ritual, quiet, and the 'new monasticism’ hold appeal today? Is Gen Z's pessimism a type of apocalyptic thinking? Is it related to environmentalism? The After Party, following the interview, is at 00:51:30. Links: Don't Forget We're Here Forever, Lamorna Ash, Bloomsbury The Tyranny of Structurelessness, Jo Freeman, Damage Reading Club on Martin Hägglund’s This Life: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

On Arno Mayer's "The Lower Middle Class as Historical Problem". We kick off the third block of the 2024/25 Reading Club, which is dedicated to the question of the middle class: The abatement of class struggle between workers and owners has shone a light on the role of the middle classes. Beyond the resurgence of the debate around the much-maligned professional-managerial class (PMC), what is the true role of the middle class in politics and society? Who rules today – and how would we go about answering that question? In this episode we discuss: Is the lower middle class still the main recipient/consumer of popular culture? Is the condition of the lower middle class in fact universalised across society today? Is the lower middle class a "classless class"? Is this class united or in fact divided? Is is the main site of political contestation today? Of culture wars? For access, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: The Lower Middle Class as Historical Problem, Arno Mayer Regime Crisis: The Persistence of Arno J. Mayer, Verso Books blog

We celebrate 500 episodes of Aufhebunga Bunga with a cold, hard look at the decay around us. Alex and George plus contributing editors Lee Jones and Alex Gourevitch wrangle with four principal questions: What does it mean to say our era is one of decay or decline? How does this relate to the non-death of neoliberalism – its intellectual destitution, its practical weakening, but also its mutation and perpetuation? How does neoliberal decay relate to the decline of a unipolar world under total US hegemony, and the decline of the liberal globalist order? To what extent is the decay of representative democracy cause or consequence of the above? And finally, as we have been asking since we started this podcast in 2017: what comes next? For all Bungacast content, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast, and for our monthly newsletter, click here. Readings: Geopolitics at the End of the End of History, Lee Jones, The Northern Star Technofeudalism vs Total Capitalism, Alex Hochuli, American Affairs  Regime Change in the West, Perry Anderson, London Review of Books Changing the Regime, Building the Nation, Phil Cunliffe, The Northern Star An Audacious Book, Roberto Schwarz (review of Robert Kurz's 1991 Collapse of Modernisation), Meditations Journal The new historical simultaneity, Robert Kurz, Libcom Past landmark episodes 100: What was the end of history?  200: Which country crystallises world-history from 1900-2020? 300: The threat of nuclear annihilation 400: The political oppositions of the next decade

On shame, guilt and responsibility. Taylor Hines, an editor at Damage magazine, talks to George and Alex about his essay "Fool Me Twice" in Issue 4 of the magazine, which deals with the theme Responsibility. Remember, subscribers to Bungacast get a complimentary online subscription to Damage! We discuss: Why is Robert Eggers' Nosferatu about shame? What about the Rape of Lucretia? What can Frédéric Gros’ A Philosophy of Shame tell us? What's the difference between shame and guilt? Do psychoanalytic thinkers like Christopher Lasch and Melanie Klein clarify the matter? Why do we need to Make Guilt Great Again – but not as affect, as a sense of responsibility? For the full episode subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Links: Fool Me Twice, Taylor Hines, Damage Issue 4: Responsibility, Damage Do you often feel ashamed? Maybe you should, Nina Power, Daily Telegraph

On Iran and its Axis of Resistance. Historian Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi talks to Alex about the leadup and aftermath of the so-called "12-Day War between Iran and Israel and the US. Hamas and Hezbollah have been humbled, Assad is gone from Syria – how weakened is Iran? Did the 12-Day War actually happen? What prevented it becoming a wider war? What is the meaning of Israel's maximalist aims of regime change and regional dominance? Why is Iran now leaning into Iranian nationalism, even using pre-revolutionary symbols? Is a nuclear Iran now inevitable? What lessons will it draw? How has the region been reconfigured over the past two years? What about Saudi and the Gulf states? Subscribe to this podcast at patreon.com/bungacast Links: Iran and the ‘Axis of Resistance’: A Brief History, Eskandar Sadeghi, Jadaliyya Culmination, Eskandar Sadeghi, Sidecar The Failson and the Flag, Golnar Nikpou & Eskandar Sadeghi

On technology, transhumanism, and progress. James Hughes (Exec Director, Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies) and Eli Sennesh (postdoc, Vanderbilt) present a futurist approach to Alex and contributing editor Leigh Phillips. What is wrong with the acronym TESCREAL? Why is it wrong to worry about future transhumanism when we need to grapple with the technologies of now? What are the limits of bourgeois futurism? What is an alternative futurism? Has AI changed everything? Will it? Are we actually living in an age of rapid technological advance? For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast   Links: Conspiracy Theories, Left Futurism, and the Attack on TESCREAL, James Hughes & Eli Sennesh /306/ AI Capitalism: Inhuman Power /335/ AI & the End of the End of History /446/ The Techno-Fantasy of Perfect Freedom ft. Amber Trotter /488/ Homo-Techno, Homo-Solo ...Post-Homo? ft. Alex Gendler The Obama-to-Yarvin Pipeline, Geoff Schullenberger, Compact Substack

On the war on Iran that wasn't (yet). Alex and George review the past month in the world and on Bungacast: The crazy will-they-won't-they of a potential US war on Iran The ex post facto justifications on all sides Where does "sanewashing" come from Ways to understand and not understand US political polarisation And we deal with your questions and comments from the past month: Woke Dungeons and Dragons Being Safe versus Feeling Safe More on victimhood, authenticity and the PMC [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Links: Trump’s Tariff Gamble and the Decay of the Neoliberal Order, Lee Jones, American Affairs Sanewashing, and how Defund The Police stopped meaning Defund The Police, Inverse Florida, Substack Did Iran win the 12-day war?, Sohrab Ahmari, UnHerd  A Comprehensive History of Woke D&D, Mark of the Weather-Sun, Substack