New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 17min
Lars Cornelissen, "Neoliberalism and Race" (Stanford UP, 2025)
Lars Cornelissen, a historian of neoliberalism and author of the forthcoming book, explores the deep-seated connection between race and neoliberal ideology. He examines how racial constructs, both explicit and subtle, have shaped neoliberal thought since the interwar period. Cornelissen critiques influential thinkers like Mises and Hayek, revealing their racial beliefs and the 'lazy native' myth in development theory. He underscores the implications of these ideas for neoliberal policies and advocates for a critical, anti-racist approach to understanding this ideological framework.
13 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 40min
Joseph Stiglitz, "The Origins of Inequality" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate and Columbia University professor, engages in a deep discussion about the roots of inequality, shaped by his six-decade focus on the issue. He explains how inequality is not inevitable but a political choice influenced by laws and institutions. Stiglitz highlights the role of monopoly power in wealth concentration and critiques macroeconomic policy failures exacerbating disadvantage. He advocates for policies like inheritance taxes and better public investment in education to foster equality and economic growth.
Nov 7, 2025 • 60min
Mattin, "Social Dissonance" (MIT Press, 2022)
Exploring the complexity of self-image, a compelling discussion unfolds around how political and linguistic forces shape our identities. Mattin examines social dissonance as a reflection of inequality, emphasizing the role of art and noise in facilitating audience participation. He critiques the limitations of traditional noise aesthetics while advocating for aesthetic estrangement to reveal structural issues. The conversation dives into alienation and opportunities for collective action, aiming to inspire hopeful community-building amidst contemporary challenges.
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
brian bean, "Their End Is Our Beginning: Cops, Capitalism, and Abolition" (Haymarket, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, brian bean, a Chicago-based socialist organizer and author, dives deep into the origins and functions of policing within capitalism. They argue that ending policing is essential for building a more just society. Brian explores the intertwined history of race, colonialism, and class oppression that shapes modern policing. They advocate for a global abolitionist movement, while addressing myths about crime and safety. This thought-provoking conversation places personal stories at the forefront, imagining a world where communities thrive without police.
Nov 4, 2025 • 41min
James Scorer, "Latin American Comics in the Twenty-First Century: Transgressing the Frame" (U Texas Press, 2024)
James Scorer, a Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Manchester, explores the vibrant world of Latin American comics and their cultural significance. He discusses the rise of a unique comics scene post-2005, highlighting how digital networks have fostered transnational connections. Scorer also emphasizes comics' role in social and political discourse, including themes of extractivism and memory. Plus, he shares insights on zines, the impact of the pandemic on creativity, and his upcoming projects on race and environmental art.
Nov 4, 2025 • 53min
Joshua Castellino, "Calibrating Colonial Crime: Reparations and The Crime of Unjust Enrichment" (Policy Press, 2025)
Joshua Castellino, a Professor of international law at Brunel University, discusses his book on reparations and the legacy of colonial crimes. He explores the legal hurdles in addressing historical injustices and proposes a new concept of 'unjust enrichment' for reclaiming wealth. Castellino links colonial extraction to the climate crisis and emphasizes indigenous custodianship in conservation efforts. He suggests systemic alternatives to sovereign states for tackling these issues and critiques the incomplete nature of UN decolonization.
Nov 3, 2025 • 28min
Rebecca van Laer, "Cat" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Rebecca van Laer, an author and former academic with a PhD from Brown, dives into the world of cats in her book, Cat, mixing memoir and cultural criticism. She discusses the labels of 'cat person' versus 'dog person' and how they reflect identity. Sharing quirky anecdotes about her own senior cats, Toby and Gus, she explores cats’ emotional labor and their role as symbols of resistance to productivity norms. Van Laer challenges the notion of pet parenting, advocating for a more nuanced view as 'custodians' rather than 'parents'.
Nov 1, 2025 • 57min
Natasha Piano, "Democratic Elitism: The Founding Myth of American Political Science" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA and a historian of political thought, discusses her new book, 'Democratic Elitism.' She challenges the traditional view that equates democracy solely with elections, highlighting critiques from the Italian School of Elitism. Piano explains how thinkers like Pareto and Mosca warned against the pitfalls of competitive elections leading to disillusionment. She advocates for a broader understanding of democracy that values good governance and counters the threats of plutocracy and demagoguery.
Oct 31, 2025 • 52min
Aria Fani, "Reading Across Borders: Afghans, Iranians, and Literary Nationalism" (U Texas Press, 2024)
Aria Fani, an associate professor and expert in Persian literary history, explores the interconnected literary identities of Afghans and Iranians. He reveals how modern nationalism emerged not solely through European influence but through a rich shared Persian heritage. Fani discusses the evolution of 'adab' into modern 'literature,' the impact of early periodicals, and the complex relationship between language policies in both nations. He emphasizes the need for ethical discourse around Afghan displacement in Iran and advocates for literature as a tool for justice.
12 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 33min
Gavin Flood, "The Concept of Mind in Hindu Tantra" (Routledge, 2024)
Gavin Flood, a leading expert in Hindu Studies at the University of Oxford, delves into the intricate concept of mind in Hindu Tantra. He explores the influence of dualism versus non-dualism, highlighting how Shaiva traditions view the self in relation to Shiva. Flood also identifies a unique blend of mentalistic and physicalist vocabularies, examining the implications for social engagement and activism. Additionally, he shares insights on microcosm-macrocosm connections and anticipates future projects on ascent symbolism and comparative personhood.
