Steve Davies - Why Is Politics Today So Weird?

In this conversation from 2025, host Matt Bufton interviews historian Steve Davies about the political realignment happening across the Western world. Steve explains how traditional divisions in politics, such as socialism versus capitalism, have been replaced by a new axis centered on nationalism versus globalism. He critiques both "national collectivism" and "technocratic liberal progressivism" while discussing the implications for classical liberalism. The conversation also touches on the influence of leaders like Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, and Emmanuel Macron, and explores what the future holds for liberal ideas in a shifting political landscape.

References

1. "The Great Realignment: Understanding Politics Today" by Steve Davies (Cato Institute) https://www.cato-unbound.org/2018/12/10/stephen-davies/great-realignment-understanding-politics-today/

2. Steve Davies' talk at the IEA's THINK event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GVMnQ4-_cQ

3. "The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich Hayek https://www.amazon.ca/Road-Serfdom-Friedrich-Hayek/dp/0226320553

4. "Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy" by Joseph A. Schumpeter https://www.amazon.ca/Capitalism-Socialism-Democracy-Joseph-Schumpeter/dp/0061330086

5. "The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution" by Francis Fukuyama https://www.amazon.ca/Origins-Political-Order-Prehuman-Revolution/dp/0374227349

6. "Leviathan" by Thomas Hobbes https://www.amazon.ca/Leviathan-Thomas-Hobbes/dp/0140431950

7. "The Constitution of Liberty" by Friedrich Hayek https://www.amazon.ca/Constitution-Liberty-Friedrich-Hayek/dp/0226320847

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