Bungacast

On the End of History and Europe. [For full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] LSE professor Mike Wilkinson talks to Phil and Alex about how the history of European integration fits with constitutional theories and ideas of sovereignty. We discuss:  In what way are the conspiracy theories about the EU true? What are the origins of European integration in the inter-war crisis? How did European integration tie into the history of ideas and development of 20th century legal history? How far does European integration overlap with counter-revolutionary theories and ideas? And who is the Last European?  Links: Authoritarian Liberalism and the Transformation of Modern Europe, Michael Wilkinson Political Constitutionalism in Europe Revisited, Michael Wilkinson, Journal of Law and Society The Rise and Fall of World Constitutionalism, Michael Wilkinson, Verfassungsblog

On the maelstrom of the metropolis. [Full episode only available to subscribers. Join at patreon.com/bungacast] We kick of the 2024/25 syllabus with the first theme, The Future of Place, asking, is politics possible without a sense of place. We discuss Georg Simmel's short essay "Metropolis and Mental Life" and Marshall Berman's All That Is Solid Melts into Air (chapter 5, on New York). How does Simmel relate the metropolitan condition to a historical passage from the 18th century to the 19th? Is city life intellectual and blasé, versus small town emotionality? Is narcissism built into modernity? Is there an aristocratic individualist revolt in evidence today? Do we need places to hang out in before we can do political organising? Are we nostalgic for top-down modernisation? Readings: "Metropolis and Mental Life" All That Is Solid Melts into Air (chapter 5, on New York)

On the military decline of the American empire. [Patreon Exclusive] The Swedish writer Malcom Kyeyune talks to Phil about what happens to the evil empire when the stormtroopers can’t shoot straight and the empire isn’t producing enough star destroyers. They discuss: What happens to international politics in a world of new geopolitical rivalries?  How does American industrial decline affect US military capacity and strength?  Why is America unable to produce enough ships?  Why is the US unable to do conscription anymore?  Who would win in a showdown between China and America?  Links: America will have to dodge the draft, Malcom Kyeyune, UnHerd The Houthis now rule the Red Sea, Malcom Kyeyune, UnHerd The West can no longer make war, Malcom Kyeyune, New Statesman The American Empire’s Burning Peripheries, Malcom Kyeyune, Compact /240/ Populist Interventions: Örebro Party ft. Malcolm Kyeyune | Bungacast Facing war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the US looks feeble. But is it just an act?, Adam Tooze, The Guardian

On pro-family politics, and the US election and labour. [Patreon Exclusive - in association with Damage magazine] Dustin Guastella talks to Phil and Alex about what the election of Trump will mean for US labour organisations. We then move on to Dustin's proposal for progressive pro-family policies. What actually is "the family" today?  Social democrats are proud of policies but wary of encouraging family growth. Why? What would pro-family policies look like, what would they do, and what might their negative effects be? Is the family not a pillar for the reproduction of authoritarian norms? How do we explain the fertility crisis in global terms? How do we confront the growing marketisation of everything? Links: Damage issue #3 - MOTHERS - Bungacast subscribers get free access NY live event: issue launch - Family Trouble