Aufhebunga Bunga

On Giorgio Agamben's State of Exception (2005).  How did a darling of the left during the War on Terror become a resource for the right during Covid? Is Agamben right to blur the boundary between fascism and liberal democracy? And if we are in a 'permanent state of exception', what is the right response? And we discuss your questions. The full episode is for $10+ subscribers. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast Other links: The Crisis of the Crisis: Is Covid politics the real emergency?, Geoff Shullenberger, The New Atlantis 

On The End of the End of History On 22 February 2022, at The People's Forum in Manhattan, Alex Hochuli and Adam Tooze were in conversation on the themes of the Bunga book and what comes next. The event was moderated by Christie Offenbacher (Damage Magazine). Buy the book: linktr.ee/bungacast

On the German Greens' shady history.   Journalist Lily Lynch, editor of Balkanist, joins us to talk about her recent investigations into the Green Party, who are now back in power in Germany.   The 68ers attempted to combat authoritarianism and Nazi legacies through sexual liberation, building on the work of Wilhelm Reich. How did this lead some small groups associated with the Greens to advocate paedophilia – and even to accept former Nazis into their ranks?   Later the Greens would fully embrace war. We discuss how their emphasis on "maturity" and multilateral humanitarianism became the means through which they justified their new hawkish stance and adoption of NATO's cause.   Readings: Meet the German Green Party: From "Pedophile Rights" to Post-Pacifism, Lily Lynch (free) The German Green Party's Oldest Member Was a Known Pedophile Nazi Stormtrooper, Lily Lynch West Berlin Had a "Radical" All-Female Pedophile Commune with Links to the German Green Party, Lily Lynch How a Pacifist Party Gave

On class wars, new and old. Michael Lind, Professor of Practice at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, joins us to talk about what it might take to restore working class power in Western states. He explains some of the arguments in his book The New Class War (2020) in greater depth, as well as discussing his intellectual debt to the ex-Trotskyist theorist turned Cold War conservative, James Burnham. Plus, Michael talks about how his Texan background and upbringing shaped his outlook on industrialisation, national development and populism.  Part two: https://www.patreon.com/posts/243-bureaucracy-62900197 Readings: America’s Asymmetric Civil War, Tablet Mag Why ending tenure is only the start, Tablet Mag The importance of James Burnham, Tablet Mag Bungacast Reading Club on The New Class War

On dovish conservatives, Trumpist coup-mongers and Canadian truckers. - - -  Live debate/book launch in NYC, Feb 22nd: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-debate-book-launch-the-end-of-the-end-of-history-tickets-261000468427 - - -  We examine what arguments 'pro-worker conservatives' are making in an aim to rid the GOP of warmongers and what this says about their vision of politics. In that light we also look at the Trumpist wing and ask what they might have in common, if anything, with the former. And we debate the Canadian protests against vaccine mandates and the left's response to it so far.  Three Articles: Hawks Are Standing in the Way of a New Republican Party, Sohrab Ahmari, Patrick Deneen, Gladden Pappin, NYT The second coming of Donald Trump, The Economist As Workers Resist, the Left Recoils, Edwin Aponte, The Bellows  

The first in an occasional series on new initiatives.  We speak to Malcolm Kyeyune of Sweden's Örebro Party about its origins, analysis and goals. Is a new working class politics to be found in direct opposition to the PMC or the 'transferiat'? How does this local party intend to scale up? What sort of issues are on its agenda? And how does it aim to go beyond the impasses of other populist initiatives?  

On the critique of egalitarian ideology. We talk to writer Ross Wolfe about his essay "Marxism Contra Justice". Given that struggles for justice have been central to all sorts of radical movements, why is it important to cleave Marxist politics away from this notion? How are contemporary notions of 'social justice' already degraded versions of earlier egalitarian ideology on the left? Is it possible to conceive of any popular working-class movement that doesn’t begin with people’s sense of indignation and desire for redress? Links: Marxism Contra Justice, Ross Wolfe, Datacide The Charnel House, Ross Wolfe's blog

On Carl Schmitt's Political Theology (1922). We ask why people are scared of sovereignty – as opposed to state power per se, and analyse what is significant about the way in which Schmitt defines sovereignty. And what is the meaning of 'political theology'? And we discuss your questions.  This is an extended excerpt of the first 30 mins of the episode. For the full thing, go to patreon.com/bungacast Other links: The shibboleth of sovereignty, Martin Loughlin and Stephen Tierney, Modern Law Review, 2008 (pdf)  The Fed policy error that should worry investors, John Hussman, FT  The Death of the Central Bank Myth, Adam Tooze, Foreign Policy    

We take on Italy's election of a new president and what that tells us about permanent crisis, the EU and the curtailing of democracy; we ask how serious the risk of war in Ukraine actually is; and review a film we haven't seen.   The full episode is for subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast   3 Articles: As war looms larger, what are Russia’s military options in Ukraine?, The Economist  How the EU destroyed Italian democracy, Thomas Fazi & Paolo Cornetti, Unherd Boringly postmodern and an ideological fantasy, Slavoj Zizek, The Spectator  Others: Chartbook #70 Draghi for President?, Adam Tooze, Substack How serious is Vladimir Putin about launching a major Ukraine offensive?, Max Seddon, FT 

On the German Greens' shady history.   Journalist Lily Lynch, editor of Balkanist, joins us to talk about her recent investigations into the Green Party, who are now back in power in Germany.   The 68ers attempted to combat authoritarianism and Nazi legacies through sexual liberation, building on the work of Wilhelm Reich. How did this lead some small groups associated with the Greens to advocate paedophilia – and even to accept former Nazis into their ranks?   Later the Greens would fully embrace war. We discuss how their emphasis on "maturity" and multilateral humanitarianism became the means through which they justified their new hawkish stance and adoption of NATO's cause.   The full episode is available to subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast   Readings: Meet the German Green Party: From "Pedophile Rights" to Post-Pacifism, Lily Lynch (free) The German Green Party's Oldest Member Was a Known Pedophile Nazi Stormtrooper, Lily Lynch West Berlin Had a "Radical" All-Female Pedophi

On our current attention-deficit and hyperpolitical disorder.     In our book, The End of the End of History, we discuss the move from post-politics to anti-politics; from consensus to rejection; from apathy to anger. In a new article, Anton Jäger argues we've now moved into a hyperpolitical age. Is everything being politicised...except the really important stuff?   We discuss some examples of hyperpolitics in Europe and North America and ask if what's going on is just a hot culture war, or something bigger. And what are the risks of an actual civil war in France or the US?   Reading: How the World Went from Post-Politics to Hyper-Politics, Anton Jäger, Tribune Introduction from The End of the End of History, Bungacast, Merion West Did the culture wars ever end?, Q&A with Andrew Hartman, Illinois State

Bungacast is back for 2022, refreshed and reloaded.   We've got a completely revamped Reading Club, arranged along three themes: Emergency Politics & Control; Cynical Ideology; and Techno-Feudalism.   And there will be plenty of deep dives on national politics around the globe and discussions of big ideas with top guests. Buy The End of the End of History Subscribe on Patreon Follow us on Facebook (and after clicking like, select us as favourites) Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram

On Millennial homeowners, the USA falling apart, and restoration in the UK. As better-off 30-somethings start to get on the property ladder, does this put paid to 'Generation Left'? Will American decline be accompanied by a second civil war - as China serenely watches on? And does Britain represent a return to the 'End of History'? Is everything becoming boring again?   This is an excerpt. For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast Articles: Millennials Are Supercharging the Housing Market, Nicole Friedman, WSJ (attached) A tale of two elites in Washington and Beijing, Gideon Rachman, FT (attached) British politics suddenly feels small – and the old order is ‘taking back control’, Julian Coman

For the last time in 2021, we take your questions, comments and criticisms.   As always, lots of debate about Covid - and we start by remarking upon a possible u-turn on the issue on the British left.   Answer the Bungacast Listeners' Survey: surveymonkey.com/r/NN6SPD9   Buy the Bunga book: linktr.ee/bungacast   This is a sample. For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast

On Eva Illouz's Cold Intimacies: The Making of Emotional Capitalism How has the cold and hard world of bureaucratic, instrumental rationalism penetrated the intimate sphere of love and relationships? And how has open communication and emotional understanding been used to advance economic interests? –– We want to hear what you're thinking: fill out our Bunga Listeners' Survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NN6SPD9 ––  This is a free sample. For the full episode, sign up at patreon.com/bungacast  

On Thursday 9 November, George Hoare and Alex Hochuli took part in a conversation with Catherine Liu about their recent books – The End of the End of History and Virtue Hoarders, respectively. The focus was on the social and political role of the Professional-Managerial Class in historical context. The webinar was hosted and presented by the UCI Humanities Center, as part of their Ideas with Impact series and we're reposting the conversation as a podcast here.

On the left outflanked.   We continue our discussion with Douglas Lain, formerly of Zer0 Books and now of Diet Soap Media. Has the left been overtaken by events - yet again? And we propose a typology of a left divided between progressives, populists and Marxists – progressives who are authoritarian, populists who are opportunists, and Marxists who are lonely.   Hey listener - why not tell us how you see Bunga and the world? Fill out our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NN6SPD9   Links: Diet Soap Media: Patreon | YouTube OK Bunger! The Problem of Generations This is an excerpt. For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast.

On branding and the left.  Douglas Lain, until recently publisher of Zer0 Books and now of Diet Soap Media, joins us to talk about what happened with Zer0. Mainly, we discuss the left at the End of History, revisit No Logo and the anti-branding stance, and compare Gen X and Millennial lefts - is it just a continual story of decline? Links: Diet Soap Media: Patreon | YouTube OK Bunger! The Problem of Generations

On people power on three continents. We discuss Chile's landmark elections, the first after the uprising of 2019-20, which see a face-off between left and far-right; Modi's repeal of controversial laws that provoked a huge mobilisation of farmers in India last year; and protests and riots against new lockdowns and vaccine mandates across Europe. Articles: Has the Backlash to Progressivism Come to Chile?, Lili Loofbourow, Slate In Rare Show of Weakness, Modi Bows to India’s Farmers, Various, NYT Violence in Belgium and Netherlands as Covid protests erupt across Europe, Jon Henley, The Guardian Other relevant episodes /93/ Hot Chile and Other Neoliberal Failures ft. Pablo Pryluka /198/ Universal India ft. Achin Vanaik  

On modernity's contradictions.   In this month's Reading Club, we discuss the introduction to Marshall Berman's marvellous All That Is Solid Melts Into Air.   This is an excerpt. For the full episode, subscribe for $10/mo at patreon.com/bungacast   Can we revive, as Berman intends, the truly dialectical, 19th century attitude to modernity? What value is there in talking about "modernity" rather than “capitalism”? And how to we recognise possibilities for transcending today's impasses, where the question of "modernity" isn't even on the table?   The final Reading Club of 2021 will be on Eva Illouz's Cold Intimacies.