We talk with Professor Susan Kang about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's huge primary win over Congressman Joe Crowley. We ask: How did this happen? Why now? What does this mean for other left-wing candidates around the country? Susan Kang is an associate professor of political science at John Jay College, City University of New York. She is the author of Human Rights and Labor Solidarity: Trade Unions in the Global Economy. Professor Kang a member of the NY citywide leadership committee of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Euro Crisis: Slovenia is the future
Lev and Gal Kirn discuss all of the things you ever wanted to know about Slovenia but were afraid to ask. They talk about the recent election, Yugoslav partisans in WWII, historical revisionism in the Balkans, and the powerful myth of Slovenia as Switzerland East. Professor Kirn is a political theorist and researcher at TU Dresden. He is the author of several books, including Partisan Ruptures and Contradictions of Market Socialism in Yugoslavia. In his home-town Ljubljana, he is engaged in the Workers-Punks’ University.
The Euro Crisis: Greece and the euro: When you can't leave and shouldn't stay
We talk to Alexandros Alexandropoulos about the economic and political situation in Greece today. Our discussion covers the origins of the Greek economic depression, life under austerity, and why it was impossible for Syriza to Grexit. Alexandros Alexandropoulos has taught politics and political philosophy at SciencesPo Paris, LSE, and Kings College London.
The Euro Crisis: What does a populist Italy mean for the EU?
In this episode Lev talks with historian David Broder about Italy and the future of the European Union. They discuss origins of the Five Star party, the legacy of Berlusconi, and the rise of the hard-right in Italy. David Broder is a historian at the London School of Economics and a contributing editor at Jacobin.
The Euro Crisis: What's Next for Spain?
In this episode Lev talks with Jorge Tamames about Spanish politics and economics. They discuss the new government in Madrid, the independence movement in Catalonia, austerity, and what a real recovery in Spain might look like. Jorge Tamames is an editor at Política Exterior.
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The Euro Crisis-So Far
The 2008 Crisis Lives On: Lev and Jon talk about all things euro! How did the crisis start? What has it meant for people across the continent (particularly the most vulnerable)? In what ways has it changed European politics? How will the crisis end?
This season we have been exploring the ways the 2008 crisis has reshaped the world. Our thesis is that the past is not dead, that we continue to live with the effects of the '08 crisis in a multitude of ways. We are wrapping up the 2008 Crisis Lives On season this month. In addition to this episode we will air three more interviews on the euro crisis (with experts on Italy, Greece and Spain). We will come back in the fall with a new season: On Income Inequality.
We will continue to produce interviews with journalists and historians from around the world on Current Events all summer. Stayed tuned!
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Current Events: Can the left survive in El Salvador?
We speak with Hilary Goodfriend about the crisis facing the El Salvadorian left in the wake of a huge electoral defeat. We discuss the major reforms undertaken by the leftist FMLN, the shortcomings of the party, the rise of the quasi-fascist ARENA party, and the impact of social and economic programs on gang violence. Hilary Goodfriend is a writer and researcher based in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Current Events: What's Happening in Mexico?
In this episode we are joined by Professor Christy Thornton of Johns Hopkins to discuss the upcoming Mexican elections and the general economic situation in Mexico. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the left-wing candidate, is currently well ahead in the polls two weeks out from the election. Lev and Professor Thornton talk about what to expect from a new administration, the failures of Nafta and the drug war, and how the Mexican elites are responding to the possibility of a López Obrador victory.
Professor Thornton is an assistant research professor in sociology and Latin American studies at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to graduate school, she was the Executive Director of the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA). Professor Thornton has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times’ “Room for Debate,” Al Jazeera America, The Nation, and Jacobin.
Current Events: Venezuela
In this episode Lev speaks with Professor Gabriel Hetland about the economic situation in Venezuela. We discuss President Maduro's recent reelection, the Chavez legacy, and what the New York Times gets wrong in its coverage of the country. Professor Hetland's work on Venezuela and Latin American politics has been published in Qualitative Sociology and Latin American Perspectives, The Nation, Jacobin, In These Times, Nacla and teleSUR.
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A note: From time to time we will be covering current events in addition to our regular podcasts on the economy. This podcast is primarily designed for educators and we believe that current events are an important part of any class. We hope that by interviewing experts we might gain insight about political and economic events that are happening in the world right now. We also hope that these interviews can provide some clarity when preparing lessons. Please let us know how we are doing! Thank you.
Current Events: What's going on in Turkey?
In this episode we are joined by Güney Işıkara of The New School to discuss the upcoming Turkish elections and the general economic situation in Turkey. Lev and Professor Işıkara talk about the aspirations and limitations of the Erdoğan regime, the depreciation of the Turkish lira, and the process of fascization in Turkey.
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A note: From time to time we will be covering current events in addition to our regular podcasts on the economy. This podcast is primarily designed for educators and we believe that current events are an important part of any class. We hope that by interviewing experts we might gain insight about political and economic events that are happening in the world right now. We also hope that these interviews can provide some clarity when preparing lessons. Please let us know how we are doing! Thank you.
