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
Oct 15, 2025 • 37min
Hamid Dabashi, "After Savagery: Gaza, Genocide, and the Illusion of Western Civilization" (Haymarket, 2025)
Hamid Dabashi, an academic and author, presents his insights on Gaza in relation to Western moral philosophy. He argues that the chaos in Gaza forces a reevaluation of colonial legacies within Western thought. Dabashi critiques Eurocentric views, exposing how they obscure historical atrocities. He also highlights the power of Palestinian art and literature as vehicles for humanizing marginalized voices. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of digital testimonies in shaping global consciousness about the conflict.
6 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 13min
Gianna Englert, "Democracy Tamed: French Liberalism and the Politics of Suffrage" (Oxford UP, 2024)
Gianna Englert, Associate Professor at the University of Florida, delves into the tension between liberalism and democracy in 19th-century France. She intriguingly argues that the concept of 'political capacity' was aimed at preserving democracy while limiting voting rights. The discussion features key thinkers like Benjamin Constant and François Guizot, examining their views on meritocracy versus hereditary privilege. Englert also contemplates lessons from historical debates for today's challenges in liberalism and democracy.
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
Mahboob Qirvanian and Behnaz Mirzai, "Life of an Enslaved African in the Ottoman Empire and Iran" (U Toronto Press, 2025)
Behnaz A. Mirzai, a renowned professor of Middle Eastern history and expert on the African diaspora in Iran, unveils the extraordinary autobiography of Mahboob Qirvanian. They discuss Mahboob's childhood enslavement in North Africa, his journey through different cultures, and his ultimate transformation into a free man in Iran. Mirzai highlights the significance of this memoir as the only known slave autobiography from Iran, explores themes of identity and displacement, and shares glimpses into Mahboob's literacy, religious conversions, and motivations for writing.
Oct 10, 2025 • 41min
Will Kitchen, "Culture, Capital and Carnival: Modern Media and the Representation of Work" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Will Kitchen, an Associate Lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, dives into how modern media shapes our perception of work. He explores Bakhtin's carnivalesque framework to assess representations in literature and film, revealing how narratives like 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and shows like 'The Office' critique and reinforce capitalist values. Kitchen discusses how hostage dramas like 'Captain Phillips' critique authority dynamics, while 'Boiling Point' addresses labor hierarchies through a unique filming style. His insights on media's role in work representation are both critical and revealing.
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 27min
Kevin M. Schultz, "Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History" (U Chicago Press, 2025)
Kevin M. Schultz, a history professor at UIC, dives into his provocative book on the complexities surrounding white liberals in America. He explores the myriad of views on this group, revealing how their identity has morphed over time and become a mirror for societal anxieties. Schultz discusses the historical attacks on liberalism and the pressing need for political fragmentation to pave the way for a multiparty system. With sharp insights on civil rights critiques and the interplay between liberals and socialists, he offers a refreshing take on the state of American politics.
18 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan, "Overdetermined: How Indian English Literature Becomes Ethnic, Postcolonial, and Anglophone" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan, an Assistant Professor at Rice University, delves into the complexities of identity in Indian English literature. She discusses the resistance to ethnic labeling faced by authors like Bharati Mukherjee and Jhumpa Lahiri, and the implications of 'accented reading' in understanding texts. Srinivasan also reflects on the influence of theorists like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Homi Bhabha in shaping scholarship, while advocating for the relevance of literature in today's critical discourse.
Oct 3, 2025 • 53min
Vincent Pak, "Queer Correctives: Discursive Neo-homophobia, Sexuality and Christianity in Singapore" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Vincent Pak, an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, explores the intersection of sexuality and Christianity in Singapore through his book, Queer Correctives. He discusses the concept of discursive metanoia, framing it as a form of neo-homophobia that promotes personal transformation for queer individuals. Vincent delves into how testimonials from a group called True Love Is reveal the painful narratives surrounding homosexuality. He also connects his findings to Foucault's theories, emphasizing the subtleties of neo-homophobia in contemporary society.
Oct 3, 2025 • 55min
Madison Schramm, "Why Democracies Fight Dictators" (Oxford UP, 2025)
In this engaging conversation, Madison Schramm, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto, delves into her book discussing why democracies often clash with personalist dictators. She explores how cognitive biases and emotional responses incite democratic leaders to perceive these regimes as threats, leading to conflict. Schramm examines historical parallels, contemporary leaders like Putin and Kim, and the implications of democratic backsliding on foreign policy. Her insights shed light on the emotional and narrative-driven motivations behind military interventions.
Oct 1, 2025 • 58min
Katharine Jenkins, "Feminist Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Katharine Jenkins, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Glasgow specializing in feminist philosophy, dives into the core ideas of her new work. She examines key topics like gender oppression, the intersectionality of race and class, and redefines domestic labor as economic work. Jenkins discusses the challenges of defining 'woman' and critiques the political rhetoric surrounding women's protection. Emphasizing the importance of grassroots organizing, she reflects on hope amidst rising authoritarianism, advocating for solidarity and imagination in feminist discourse.
12 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 60min
William H. F. Altman, "The Revival of Platonism in Cicero's Late Philosophy: Platonis Aemulus and the Invention of Cicero" (Lexington Books, 2016)
William H. F. Altman, a scholar and author, explores the profound influence of Platonism on Cicero's philosophy. He discusses Cicero's complex character, his defense of the Republic against Caesar, and the political implications of his writings. Altman draws parallels between Roman crises and contemporary issues, emphasizing the civic value of rhetoric. He also highlights Cicero's emotional depth following the loss of his daughter and argues for a reevaluation of his significance in both philosophy and politics.
