Bungacast

The second part of our double ep on France's presidential election. Ahead of the second round, we discuss how likely a Le Pen victory could be and the effect of Zemmour’s candidacy – which appears to have made her seem more centrist. We also debate how the French deep state and EU might react to a Le Pen victory. We also ask Chris, co-author of Technopopulism, whether this is a classically 'technopopulist' election. Reading: Technopopulism: The New Logic of Democratic Politics, Chris Bickerton The European Union: A Citizen’s Guide, Chris Bickerton

On France's presidential elections. We talk to Charles Devellennes to digest the first round, which saw centre-right Macron and far-right Le Pen come out on top, with leftist Mélenchon missing out. How similar are Macron and Le Pen's proposals actually? And has Macron's attempts to play statesman over Ukraine affected his chances? With Le Pen and Macron both going after Mélenchon's 20% of the voter share, how will each approach this challenge? Readings: Charles' twitter thread on the similarities between Macron and Le Pen Why the French left keeps failing, Charles Devellennes, spiked The Gilets Jaunes and the New Social Contract, Charles Devellennes The Macron Régime: The Ideology of the New Right in France, Charles Devellennes (forthcoming)

[Patreon Tier 2 Exclusive] On Corey Robin's Fear: The History of a Political Idea. This is March's Reading Club, the third in the Emergency Politics section of the 2022 Syllabus.

[Patreon Exclusive] On US proxy wars, Russia's elite, Ukrainian neutrality. 'Three Articles' aims to provide serious political discussion on current affairs that we feel is lacking elsewhere, drawing out the logical conclusions of the three pieces' arguments. Articles: A proxy war in Ukraine is the worst possible outcome — except for all the others, Sam Winter-Levy, War on the Rocks “Now we're going to f*ck them all.” What's happening in Russia's elites after a month of war, Farida Rustamova, Faridaily Zelensky’s muddled neutrality plan is not the answer for Ukraine, James Sherr, FT (attached)

On the fusion of technocracy & populism. Carlo Invernizzi Accetti talks to us about his book, Technopopulism, co-authored with Chris Bickerton. This is the "new logic of democratic politics". How are all politicians today effectively technocratic and populist at the same time? How does this distinguish our age from a more ideological age in the past? And what can be done to make politics ideological again? Part 2, which includes the rest of the interview, and the After Party where Alex, George and Phil debate why politics are toxic today, is available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64729183/ Readings: The Age of Technopopulism? George Hoare, Damage Alex's thread on consensus-through-dissensus The Berlusconi - cocktail recipe

On energy, the material basis for all our politics? Helen Thompson, podcaster and professor of political economy at Cambridge and author of Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, joins us to talk about the geopolitics of oil, stretching from the 1956 Suez Crisis to the Fracking Revolution of today. How does US energy independence help explain shifting politics in Europe and the Middle East? Plus, did the End of History stay afloat on a sea of cheap oil? Part 2 of the interview, plus our After Party, is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/251-oil-disorder-64394535 Readings: Profits from fossil fuel energy power Russia's war machine, and Ukraine suffers, Helen Thompson, New Statesman What Is Fueling Our Century’s Global “Disorder”?, Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, The Nation How Did Europe Get Hooked On Russian Energy?, Paul J. Davies, Bloomberg

On the Freedom Convoy, the indigenous question, and 'anti-socialist socialism'(?) Sociologist and commentator Ashley Frawley is back on the pod to talk about the situation in Canada. With family members involved in the protests, we asked her what she made of the truckers and the way demands were framed as 'anti-socialist'. We move on to debate how to understand popular resistance to 'social engineering' today, as well as the uses of 'emotionalism' to undermine political agency. Readings & Links: How the truckers split indigenous Canada, Ashley Frawley, UnHerd Lecture: Emotion & Reason, Ashley Frawley, The Academy Semiotics of Happiness, Ashley Frawley, Bloomsbury, 2005

In which we respond to listener questions & criticisms. A bumper episode, featuring plenty on Canadian truckers, Swedish populists, ideas of justice, hyperpolitics and much more. The full episode is for subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

On class & material self-interest. We talk to Vivek Chibber about his new book, The Class Matrix: Social Theory After the Cultural Turn, which seeks to answer why capitalism has proven remarkably stable. Vivek explains why classical Marxism does not need 'ideological supplements' to explain why there hasn't been revolution; instead, structural class theory already provides the answers. We go back to basics, looking at the role of interests, debate what the real role of ideology is (not 'false consciousness'), and look at why particularism, rather than the universal collectivism of class, now dominates. Part two of the interview, plus the After Party, is available over at patreon.com/bungacast

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 War a Chance, Lily Lynch What's Become of the German Greens? Joachim Jachnow, NLR (2013) No End to Neoliberalism in Germany, Bernhard Pirkl, Damage (Dec 2021)

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 Pedophile Commune with Links to the German Green Party, Lily Lynch How a Pacifist Party Gave War a Chance, Lily Lynch What's Become of the German Greens? Joachim Jachnow, NLR (2013) No End to Neoliberalism in Germany, Bernhard Pirkl, Damage (Dec 2021)

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.

On the Jacobin & YouGov survey of the US working class. A study (pdf) carried out by YouGov on behalf of Jacobin magazine and the Center for Working-Class Politics has learned that "working-class voters prefer progressive candidates who focus primarily on bread-and-butter economic issues, and who frame those issues in universal terms." What can we learn from the study, beyond the obvious? What are its limitations, who is it for, and what does the survey say about those who commissioned it? Plus: does it make sense to frame your politics as 'anti-woke'? Reading: Jacobin executive summary Full report (pdf)

On sectarianism & identitarianism. Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) is back on Bunga to talk to us about his essay "The Retreat from Universalism in the Middle East and the World". Lebanon has been used as a model for other Middle Eastern countries, even though its confessional system is a disaster. But Lebanese-style sectarianism isn't a form of 'feudal' backwardness – in fact it represents a precursor of the multicultural and identitarian politics in the West. Who are the enemies of universalism today, East and West? And what sort of political projects are capable of rejuvenating secular universalism? See also: /141/ Oh Lebanon, What Now? ft. Rima Majed /198/ Universal India ft. Achin Vanaik –– Buy our book: The End of the End of History Subscribe to the podcast: patreon.com/Bungacast

On rising wages after the pandemic. Workers are quitting their jobs and not going back. Restricted supply is seeing wages go up. Does this signal a new militancy, or are workers just deciding to make do with less? How has the pandemic shaped people's outlooks? Articles: Wages are surging across the rich world, The Economist The Revolt of the American Worker, Paul Krugman, NYT US Workers Are in a Militant Mood, Alex N. Press, Jacobin The full episode is for subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

On the global energy crisis. Nuclear energy advocate Emmet Penney (@nukebarbarian) joins us to discuss the growing energy crunch in Europe, the US and beyond. Nuclear power is opposed by an unholy alliance of environmentalists and neoliberals - yet it seems the best solution for providing plentiful, reliable, and clean energy. As a demand, it seems an open goal for the left - so why are so many resistant? Part 2 is available here for patreon subscribers. Links & Readings: Nuclear Barbarian - pro-nuclear podcast & newsletter ex.haust - Emmet's other, co-hosted pod Undeveloping America, Emmet Penney, The American Conservative Political Life in the Lottery of Babylon, Emmet Penney, The American Conservative How we happened to sell off our electricity, James Meek, LRB A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations, Robert Bryce, Public Affairs (book)

This month we discuss GM Tamas' essay "Telling the Truth About Class" published in the Socialist Register. Is Tamas' division between Marxist and Rousseauian socialism useful? Does it help us to understand the Left today? And is Tamas right that "authentic proletarian revolution... has never occurred in its anti-capitalist purity anywhere"? Reading Clubs are for patrons $10+, sign up at patreon.com/bungacast Additional readings: Why the left must abandon the myth of British decline, David Edgerton, New Statesman Ellen Meiksins Wood on the Nairn-Anderson thesis and the Bourgeois paradigm, Verso Books blog

Responding to your questions, comments & criticisms. It's a big mailbag this time round, including plenty on Covid (lockdowns, vaccines, etc), incels and dating culture, breaking out of neoliberalism's clutches, and much much more. –– Bungacast will be live in New York on 19 November. Come see Alex Hochuli in conversation with Adam Tooze & Amber A'Lee Frost. Tickets at Eventbrite –– The full episode is for subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

The fifth and final part of a series on generational consciousness and conflict. This is an excerpt. For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast 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. This is an excerpt. For the full 1h40min episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast 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

On German's elections – and the costs of stability. Wolfgang Streeck is back on the podcast to round-up Germany's elections last Sunday (26 September). What's behind the emphasis on continuity and competence? Is Germany stuck in the 2000s? We also discuss the importation of US-style culture wars into Germany, the country's role in the Eurozone, and strategic relations with France. The second part of the conversation – where we debate the end of neoliberalism and capitalist crisis – is over at patreon.com/bungacast. Readings: Will it Be Enough?, Wolfgang Streeck, Sidecar “Order” Prevails in Berlin, Gregor Baszak, The Bellows Things Can’t Go on Like This for the German Left, Alexander Brentler, Jacobin

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 For access to all Aufhebunga Bunga content, including the entirety of this series, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast

This month's Reading Club is on Mike McNair's "Intersectionalism, the highest stage of western Stalinism?" from the journal Critique (pdf attached on Patreon). How convincing is his genealogy in which he traces intersectionalism back to the 1930s Popular Front and 1960s soft Maoism? What function does intersectionalism play on the Left - and for the ruling class? And is McNair right that intersectionalism is self-defeating on its own terms? Or is it self-perpetuating? Bungacast's monthly Reading Clubs are for subscribers $10+ Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

On Germany's election this week. Merkel has led Germany since 2005, outlasting any number of politicians across the West. What accounts for her longevity? How has such a non-ideological, post-political figure lasted so long? Germany is finally leaving her motherly embrace. But why is continuity on the cards, despite the many global crises Germany has passed through?

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 For access to all Aufhebunga Bunga content, including the entirety of this series, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast

On the long history of involuntary celibates. Alex Gendler talks to us about his essay in American Affairs, "The New Superfluous Men". With growing global concern about incels and increasing anti-terrorism focus on the supposed risks posed by lonely, angry men, we discuss why this discussion has emerged today and why it's gone global. Why do our societies seem no longer to find use for young men? Do they benefit from patriarchy? And how does this all relate to class? The full episode is available to subscribers only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

On Covid and the end of the end of history. Adam Tooze joins us to discuss his new book, Shutdown. In 2020 everything changed... so that everything might remain the same. What were the reasons behind the global shutdown? Was it a result of over-protection, a policy of repression, or the result of structural tensions? Has China been the winner of the pandemic? How have central banks been victims of their own success? And does this represent the end of neoliberalism? The latter part of the interview continues over on patreon.com/bungacast

On net-zero, CCP nanny state, and optimised dating. We start off discussing the HBO series "The White Lotus" before tackling three articles on middle-class anxieties: climate change and pressures on UK living standards; the Chinese state's crackdown on private tutoring; and women's attempt to avoid crappy men through 'Female Dating Strategy'. The full episode is available to patrons only. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast Articles: Boris Johnson’s push for net zero plunged into chaos, Edward Malnick & Emma Gatten, The Telegraph (attached in patreon) China’s nanny state: why Xi is cracking down on gaming and private tutors, Tom Mitchell & Thomas Hale, FT (attached in patreon) ‘Sales funnels’ and high-value men: the rise of strategic dating, Katie Cunningham, The Guardian

On lockdowns, education, and the left. California middle-school teacher and social critic Alex Gutentag (@galexybrane) joins us to talk about the depredations of lockdown in California and the wider world. How has lockdown affected different segments of society, and how damaging have school closures been on education? Why has the professional middle class been so in favour of widespread restrictions – and how did the left go from backing Medicare 4 All to cheering on lockdowns in the space of a few months? Readings: The War on Reality, Alex Gutentag, The Tablet The Great Covid Class War, Alex Gutentag, The Bellows

We discuss Eli Zaretsky's essay, "Psychoanalysis and the Spirit of Capitalism" (also available as a chapter in his book Political Freud). How convincing is Zaretsky’s idea that, as capitalism was becoming more organized and systematic, it also liberated relations between the sexes and enhanced a sense of individual subjectivity? Was Freudianism a victim of its success? Did it ‘win’ and thereby make itself obsolete - socially if not intellectually? And what is today’s "spirit of capitalism"? Are we still within the spirit that was reshaped in the 1960s - the world of the New Left? Reading Clubs are only for patrons $10 and up. Sign up at patreon.com/bungacast

On the Fall of Kabul, plus responding to your questions & comments. On this Aufhebonus Bonus, we take your critical comments on 'positive biopolitics' and authoritarian responses to Covid. Plus, whether neoliberalism is really ending, the usefulness of using 'PMC' or 'clerisy', and much more. We start by discussing what's happening in Afghanistan, the 20 years of failure, and what happens next. The full episode is for subscribers only. Sign up at pateron.com/bungacast for access.

What comes after neoliberalism - the protective state? We talk to Paolo Gerbaudo about his new book, The Great Recoil, in which Paolo argues we are now turning inwards – globalisation is no longer a sea of opportunity and instead fear dominates. How convincing is his notion of an emerging 'protective state', and do either the left or right variants of it really promise us much at all? Part two of the interview is available for subscribers only. Sign up and listen at patreon.com/bungacast Links: The Great Recoil, Verso Books On the 'digital party', Bungacast