New Books in Critical Theory

Michael Rushton, Co-Director of the Center for Cultural Affairs at Indiana University, discusses the moral foundations of public funding for the arts. He explores various perspectives on arts policy, including egalitarian and communitarian critiques. The chapter also touches on the importance of cultural identity and preservation, as well as the influence of economist John Keynes.

Dr. Jennifer McClure explores how Victorian novels depict the feelings generated by an economic system that lets some people die in service of the free market. She analyzes works by Elizabeth Gaskell, George Eliot, and Charles Dickens and challenges our understanding of how capitalism shapes our emotions. The podcast also discusses the complex relationship between Victorian fiction and economics, the tension between Adam Smith and Malthus on population control, the critique of capitalism and the control of emotions, the concept of boundary pleasure in Dickens' writing, and the role of money as a sticky object in Middlemarch.

Sarah E. Stoller discusses her book 'Inventing the Working Parent: Work, Gender, and Feminism in Neoliberal Britain'. She explores the rise of the working parent in the late 20th century, the politics surrounding working parenthood, and how feminists used the concept to advocate for change. Stoller also addresses the challenges faced by working parents in neoliberal Britain, including the need for flexible work structures and equal division of labor at home. The podcast also delves into the incorporation of feminist ideas in the public sector, specifically focusing on progressive initiatives in the UK.

Ian Smith, author of 'Black Shakespeare: Reading and Misreading Race', discusses the political and social ramifications of ignoring racial thinking in Shakespeare's plays. He explores the history of racial denial in Shakespeare studies, emphasizes the importance of acquiring racial literacy, and challenges interpretations of characters like Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice'.

Lydia Zvyagintseva and Mary Greenshields discuss the absence of the land question in libraries, the need to center land as a foundational category in understanding libraries, the significance of continuing conversations about land and libraries, lessons learned and challenges faced in a book project, and the importance of building on ideas and fostering discussions.

Paul Le Blanc, author of 'Lenin: Responding to Catastrophe, Forging Revolution,' explores Lenin's life, ideas, and political mistakes in an accessible study. Topics include Lenin's early life and influences, interpretations of the First World War and the significance of imperialism, Lenin's revolutionary vision, turning World War I into a civil war, and the application of Lenin's teachings in the present day.

Biko Mandela Gray and Ryan J. Johnson discuss their book 'Phenomenology of Black Spirit' which explores the relationship between Hegel's classic text and Black Thought. They reveal how Hegel's abstract dialectic is transformed and critiqued when placed in conversation with Black thinkers. The speakers also discuss the challenges and rewards of co-authoring the book, delve into the concept of phenomenology and its connection to Blackness, and explore the significance of historical figures like Harriet Tubman and John Brown in Black communities.

Anat Rosenberg, Kristof Smeyers, and Astrid Van den Bossche discuss the fresh historiographies of capitalism offered by studies of enchantment and magical thinking. They explore economic enchantments through advertising and consumption, and discuss the dynamic relationship between individuals and structures, including the influence of legal frameworks and the role of influencers. They also examine enchantment in relation to capitalism, its role in shaping economic institutions and relationships, and the commodification of enchantment.

Andrea Jamison, author of 'Decentering Whiteness in Libraries: A Framework for Inclusive Collection Management Practices', discusses the history of inequality in libraries, the use of the Library Bill of Rights as an advocacy tool, and the importance of updating library policies for equity and inclusion. They also explore the significance of collection development policies and the need for accessibility and commitment to equity in libraries.

Old friends--one a Jew, the other a Christian--Leonard (Lenny) Grob and John K. Roth are philosophers who have long studied the Holocaust. That experience makes us anxious about democracy, because we are also Americans living in perilous times. The 2020s remind us of the 1930s when Nazis destroyed democracy in Germany. Carnage followed. In the 2020s, Donald Trump and his followers endanger democracy in the United States. With Vladimir Putin's ruthless assault against Ukraine compounding the difficulties, democracy must not be taken for granted. Americans love democracy--except when we don't. That division and conflict mean that democracy will be on the ballot in the 2024 American elections. Probing the prospects, Warnings: The Holocaust, Ukraine, and Endangered American Democracy (Cascade Books, 2023) features exchanges between us that underscore the most urgent threats to democracy in the United States and show how to resist them. What's most needed is ethical patriotism that urges us Americans to be our best selves. Our best selves defend liberal democracy; they strive for inclusive pluralism. Our best selves resist decisions and policies like those that led to the Holocaust or genocidal war in Ukraine or conspiracies to overturn fair and free elections in the United States. Our best selves reject antisemitism and racism; they oppose hypocrisy and autocracy. Our best selves hold lying leaders accountable. Our best selves believe that, against all odds, democracy can win out if we never give up trying to be our best.Jeff Bachman is an associate professor at American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory