Chris Hedges and Sheldon Wolin: Can Capitalism and Democracy Coexist? Full Version

Journalist Chris Hedges interviews political philosopher Sheldon Wolin, who says democracy requires continuous opposition and vigilance by the citizenry.
I don't own this video, you can watch it in multiple parts at RealNews: • Pt 1/8 Hedges & Wolin:...

[@janisblease7488]

Sheldon Wolin was born in 1922, and died 11 months after this video was finished. Thank you Chris Hedges for having the insight and wherewithal to produce this incredible video.

[@eusebiegherman8225]

Too bad that old creep didn't die before he made this idiotic propaganda piece.

[@lawtongore7053]

I live in Salem Oregon and I can tell you that this state is a Democratic bastion for liberals...There is no two party system here that listens to anyone on the right side of the aisle...In other words, if you happen to live in rural areas you're not even given any consideration at all!! This state used to be a great place to work and live here, but not anymore!! We have a joke here that we call it the State of Portland lol...and the State capitol is in Salem...

[@mjmatteo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i328iHx6mLqCj5Y

[@bipolarbear9917]

@@eusebiegherman8225 You're a real jerk making a comment like that. I can just imagine you in your MAGA hat. Pathetic! You must have the intelligence of a house brick!

[@darktagmaster1861]

Fascist!

[@Insightts]

I came in search of this video because of a Chris Hedges statement about the sharpness of mind and the intellectual scope of Sheldon Wolin and he was right, thank you for sharing.

[@cheri238]

💯 correct We do get a few who get to go to the colleges of the elites who learn to think outside the box. That tenure did not corrupt those who saw clearly the problems of American and world histories and governments are made of for centuries. The Gilgamesh Epic, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics. Chris Hedges and Professor Sheldon Wollin, (the elder statesmen,) placed truth to powers. What legendary voices they are. RIP 🙏 ❤ Professor Wollin. One has to remember what happened the great writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson who went to Harvard and then gave made a speech. The administration of Harvard did not invite him back for 30 years. A subtle chain of countless rings The next unto the farthest brings, The eye reads omens where it goes, And speaks to be man, the worm And mounts through the spires of form. Ralph Waldo Emerson It is such an honor to listen slowly and carefully to Professor Wollin and Chris again. "We hold these to be self evident." Hannah Arendt was one of the most important political philosophers of 20th century. Why then was she so disliked? Professor Wollin understands clearly. Karl Marx- perfect critical analysis. Both parties, not much differnces. Nietzche, here we go!!!! The American progressive Revoultion did through 1880's and the 1920's. Great point!! Whoever got study under Professor Wollin, how fortunate they were. I would been in first class and last to leave. Senator McGovern, Ralph Nader they killed their efforts with deceptive tactics. How profound !!! How about Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther KingJr? Oppenheimer turned on the science after the bombing of Japan. War is difficult for any young man, but eventually one may learn more as one looks inwardly. The pace of getting back and learning in college and getting a job. Alex De Tocqueville's, Democracy in America. Both books I have read by Professor Wollin, what an honor to his his voice for the first time. We also must include Professor Michael Parenti, (political science,) Professor Michael Sugrue and Professor Daryl Staloff, philosophy and history professors, Professor Richard Wolff, economics, how many PHD'S, how many colleges did did he go to? Professor Harold Bloom at Yale, (Literature) RIP 🙏 ❤Professor Howard Zinn,( American History) Professor RIP 🙏 ❤ Cornel West, Philosophy and History, Dr. Gerald Horne, (Afro-American History of the Carribean and Africa.) over 40 books he has written and still writing more. I love books 📚

[@jeffreyc.mcandrew8911]

Wolin is amazingly sharp for the age of 92! Very interesting interview.

[@johnnybizaro1]

+Jeffrey C. McAndrew R.I.P Wolin

[@peterspeight2880]

Hope my mind is so alert and sharp at that age.

[@Shelora]

Jeffrey C. McAndrew it’s what happens when you continue to keep your mind active and your heart engaged. The man spent his life teaching, writing and speaking about inverted totalitarianism, when the economy is used by politicians to meet the needs of maintaining political power. In an economic order, the majority, “we the people” are enshrined at the top, but don’t rule, and the minority, the wealthy elite, rule, thus preserving the autonomy of the economy.

[@juliusebola9389]

@@Shelora How did the Nazis use the economy this way? Look at their actual policies. Their problem was a low birth rate and and millions of young men milling about without adequate employment which would enable them to attract wives, start families, and therefore have a stake in the success of the political system. They believed this would open the door to what they regarded as "communist subversion," so they offered incentives for women to leave the workforce, which freed up employment for men who could then attractive wives and start families. Then they made marriage loans available to young families at capped interest rates and forgave a quarter of the principal for every child they had. The result was massively successful and virtually paid for itself because young people starting families make lots of purchases and pay taxes on those purchases. Is this the totalitarian manipulation of the economy for political ends you're referring to? I don't even get what you mean. He says "totalitarians use the economy as a tool." What else would the economy be but a tool to reach some communitarian end? The only people who think the economic means is the end itself are anarcho capitalist sociopaths. If 30 of our richest 100 Americans are Jewish, when they make up only 2% of the population generally, then why can't somebody accuse you of crypto antisemitism when you complain about the 1%? Go ahead and explain it.

[@iverbrnstad791]

@@peterspeight2880 Frankly I wish my mind could, at any point in my life, be that sharp.

[@miaash3870]

This video ought to be used globally in secondary /high schools during advisory classes. The pace at which Prof. Sheldon is speaking and the clarity in his important message is simple enough for ALL of us to understand and appreciate that colossal changes need to take place for our planet & its inhabitants to coexist harmoniously. A FABULOUS & GREAT INTERVIEW!

[@janetpercell3989]

I agree totally he died 4 yrs ago, shortly after this interview..what a sharp mind@

[@df3575]

💯

[@OneAdam12Adam]

I agree. Our young people are the only ones that can save us.

[@ILoveLenin]

I understand what you are saying, but his husky, crackly voice is making it hard for me to understand. Americans probably have less of a problem w this

[@PariahSojourner]

I listened to this interview today while doing yard work. Prof. Wolin was such an utterly fascinating man. So damned intelligent. We need more men and women like him!!

[@ulpana]

We have more men and women like him. They are frequently speaking to each other, silo'd off from society in specialized academics, even when they are in inter-disciplinary academic fields like the Social Sciences. The archives for such audio\video PRIVATE discussions on policy in often PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES and COLLEGES helps those who actively seek it out. I now call You Tube the U. of Tube for the wealth of info once silo'd off from me and you. While recognizing that Oligarch corporate ownership like that of U. of Tube can play by rules accountable to no one but their profit maximizers. So that all of Chris Hedges work for RT (RUSSIA TODAY) America public affairs program called ON CONTACT with critiques on American life and structural systems barred from discussion on corporate-captured U.S. News broadcast and mainstream press coverage, that whole archive of years of programs as serious as this discussion here on the non-profit Canadian THE REAL NEWS NETWORK have been disappeared by the OLIGARCHS behind RT. As Hedges was made persona non grata by the NY TIMES and the many corporate-captured owners of press outlets here in U.S. scheerpost.com/2022/04/01/disappeared-chris-hedges-responds-to-youtube-deleting-his-6-year-archive-of-rt-america-shows/ What rules in most nation-states is some combination of Corporate Caliphate Capture and Oligarch Capture through Pay2Play politics of our so-called FREE WORLD. In the CAPTURED WORLD they rule in non-democratic structures like corporate hierarchies via OLIGARCHIES like both Russia and Ukraine have been led, where the current bloody war is led by and for the benefit of an OLIGARCH POWER STRUGGLE. Little or nothing to do with representative democracies of any kind, much like corporate hierarchies are not part of any democratic process. This is where Shelly Wolin's life work and his simply worded books and articles and archived talks like these great dialogues with Chris Hedges come in. Hedges has taught and may still teach at Princeton U. The problem is neither Hedges now nor Shelly Wolin for the past three decades has been sourced much by what media savvy students and practitioners understand to be and refer to as THE GOLDEN ROLODEX of authorities and experts. Often these are drawn from the very institutional structures that have internal corruption problems and have no interest in hearing about genuine reform or policy initiatives that up-end their own PRIVATE INTEREST privileges. I have no easy answers for a way out. Except we've never had this much access to such archives that can be 86'd by the Corporate Caliphate but not 86'd from other segments of secreted publications and digital files or on small indie cyber platforms that don't get privileged on the Anti-Competitive Search engines so they are more difficult to find. I'd recommend taking responsibility for your own research and learn as much as you can find while personally reaching out to those who've truly studied these areas of interest to you by reaching out to them on their often university or college or indie newsletter web sites. Just look at the crucial LIFE\DEATH issues like GLOBAL DISPLACEMENT and the LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING connected with the 50 years of quantified Wage Stag-Nation which means salaries have been suppressed by cartel ownership and domination of major employment sectors, while Housing stock and water purity and environmental regulations and protections have been undermined for the benefit of profiteers. Not all Whistle Blowers have met the fate of solidly documenting journalists like U.S. muck rakers such as Gary Webb, also barred from the GOLDEN ROLODEX of U.S. broadcast coverage until he was either a victim of suicide with the loss of his professional position and ability to feed his family or knocked off by the members of the PRIVATIZED NATIONAL SECURITY state his investigative journalism covered: I saw Gary Webb speak and participate in public university seminars all the while after he published his book and muck raking series on the flooding of U.S. urban streets with hard drugs from those countries our Washington Security State was involved in Covert Wars (not actually covert to those being targeted by our own corporate DADDY WARBUCKS): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Webb allthatsinteresting.com/gary-webb theintercept.com/2014/09/25/managing-nightmare-cia-media-destruction-gary-webb/ www.laweekly.com/ex-l-a-times-writer-apologizes-for-tawdry-attacks/ Webb was targeted for a professional career discrediting Public Diplomacy campaign by the commercial corporate-captured U.S. news media and the security state Public Relations team working on tax-payer salaries and advancing on their own internal reputations. Some of these have been archived and can be easily found if you have the interest. Same is true for current political prisoners of OUR SIDE who are usually WHISTLE BLOWERS with no PERSONAL FORTUNES at stake like the OLIGARCHS who rule the rest of the world we call THEM (sorry for any aspersions cast at Van Morrison's first band in Northern Ireland and UK). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Webb See earlier this week's appearance by Chris Hedges on indie non-profit community radio daily news and public affairs reporting and analysis program DEMOCRACY NOW: www.democracynow.org/2022/4/1/julian_assange_us_censorship_wedding_chris www.democracynow.org/2022/4/1/on_contact_chris_hedges_youtube_russia (Good discussion on forgotten man Ed Snowden, one of many of the Obama\Biden record of Whistle Blowers criminally charged for violating the out-dated Espionage Act. All while Obama\Biden never criminally prosecuted the OLIGARCHS IN THE MAKING AT U.S. BASED trans national BANKS\FINANCE\INSURANCE companies despite paper trails of evidence of fraudulent CORPORATE CRIME by those deemed TOO BIG TO FAIL or JAIL: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnvLnIttaalkZq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6q5o2enmNNre68 Ed Snowden is now stuck being shielded from political prison incommunicado in U.S. prison as was the case when Obama had Bradley\Chelsea Manning prosecuted for their Whistle Blowing on role of U.S. military occupation forces targeting civilians and journalists for helicopter attack in Iraq www.longislandpress.com/2017/01/14/obamas-legacy-historic-war-on-whistleblowers/ Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers) Media Discussion List\]Looksee

[@uberdru]

Excellent interview. Who does three-hour long interviews anymore? we need more of this.

[@BadWolf-]

Amazing interview. This is everything Hedges promised it would be.

[@SCORPIONcorp]

Sheldon Wolin is so wise and humble

[@AudioPervert1]

Wolin is epic epic. Amazing and sadly forgotten. Thank you for making this interview. Kudos !

[@Frank_Cohen]

I remember him and, thus, I'm watching it today, but I get your point, but I want to provide some consolation.

[@johansterk8968]

I wished my head at 70 would be as sharp as Wolin's at 92, indeed. An interview to hear over and over again.

[@miaash3870]

What a brilliant mind! What a brilliant man! May we all strive to follow Sheldon Wolin's approach to life. THANK YOU Chris for this GREAT KZbin clip.

[@1984levani]

This interview should be included into the curriculum of every discipline remotely related to the study of politics and human relations. My gratitude to Chris Hedges for making this happen.

[@TheJakecakes]

So agree

[@cheri238]

Agree 💯

[@robertbergdahl]

Excellent !!! Thank you for posting the entire interview.

[@cheri238]

Excellent indeed!!!

[@asad5067]

RIP Sheldon Wolin. Way to go chris and teh real news for doing this interview

[@johnnybizaro1]

+as ad ,Thanks Sheldon Wolin For the book you wrote, Democracy incorporated

[@MrSp0iler]

so how are J capitalists in all parts of world who are loyal only to themselves and money lending arent cause of ww2 i really dont understant chris hedges are you one of them, J revolutionary spirit?

[@1TheNews]

Thank you for posting the video. I admire Chris Hedges' work.

[@PEPPYY22]

Timeless interview that is even more relevant today.

[@cynthiagelmirez3738]

Loving this talk! Thank you Chris - you brought a very wise gentleman to my attention. Now I have - in addition to you - another one to add to my list of people that will leave a lasting impact my mind. I am just so moved by this intense meaningful conversation with Dr. Wolin. Chris - you never cease to amaze me!

[@PortlandsTransport]

This is really an excellent interview

[@jonathanbrowne8849]

Brilliant. I have such enormous respect for you two and I was quite proud of myself when I actually 'got' the Walter Lippman joke reference (although I could not have given an illuminating, extemporaneous comment about him after with much depth) The notion of a public disappearing is a concept I have had such trouble enunciating and describing. The fact that the elite now have such enormous control over what information reaches the public is truly the most horrendous development of the modern internet era.

[@annamamo3645]

Only 1400 views? No wonder the whole Western World is in deep shit.

[@9000ck]

Looks like youtube have linked it via algorithm cos its now 150000 views...the irony is I was brought here by corporate interests in the isolated media of the internet. But yeah - this Wolin fellow is incredible. He must be in his nineties and with actual lived experience of WWII and still sharp as a tack over several hours of philosophical thinking.

[@marshallbernard77]

Hedges referenced it on several other videos. There is hope

[@SevenFootPelican]

240K view now. Slight uptick.

[@zabzec1500]

Its not so much about learning how to lie, but its about learning what not to say, what questions not to address, what topics not to cover

[@nlsupernovaable]

yes finaly.... i've been trying to tell everyone around me that the words politicians use are of no importance, as they are carefully choosen to reflect an image. they do not represent truth or reality in any way. it is the things they choose not to say or words they choose not to use that will reveal anything you ever want to know about them and their intentions. politicians rarely lie even though people think they do. they say things that make you jump to conclusions. but if you listnen carefully they actually never really say what you thought they where saying. an advanced sort of double speak most people don't even notice

[@justaroot4315]

Lies of omission are still lies..👿

[@whygohome172]

@@nlsupernovaable like how they don't say "starving" , they say, "food insecurity".

[@StellarFella]

So true. When you are totally OVERWHELMED by the economic daily struggle, you have no time to be engrossed with any political concepts whatsoever. All work and no play leaves Jack with no time for politics. This is deliberate. These private firms that buy up the infrastructure of a bankrupt municipality end up being slave masters through unreasonably high utility fees.

[@claudiasiefer8495]

Even so-called recreation is exhausting. We are so done for

[@stevemartin4249]

This interview, excellent as it is, necessarily focusses on dysfunctions of the United States, empire, and its effects of the ideals of democracy .. and while it does draw on history, I've spotted another angle that sheds light on the dynamics pushing both the U.S., Japan, indeed homo sapiens in general - that last term in particular. I have lived in Japan for the last 35 years, over half my life so far, and eventually resigned from a tenured Associate Professor's position of English Communication at Jissen Women's College - unknowingly ending my academic career completely. I have spent about the last dozen years, just prior to resigning, and afterwards, trying to understand the how and why of my rise and fall in Japan Inc. ... and this video sheds much light on it. Homo Sapiens are a social primate. As much as I respect both Hedges and Wolin as intellectual giants of the highest integrity, little information from the current STEM fields or social sciences is informing the interview. I will give only a few examples for the moment, but these examples, along with the above video have informed me of my place, or lack of, in the world. Although I consider behaviorism only a fraction of the field of psychology, the post WW II behaviorist psychologists Ascher, Milgram, and more recently ZImbardo - have experimentally demonstrated that there is very little separating the average American (and by extension, human) from the mind-set of a Nazi concentration camp guard, 'just following orders'. Fast forward to Oxford University anthropologist Robin Dunbar and his insight on the genetically constrained limits of cognition that is exposed by the tribal dynamics of large populations ... and you have a clear recipe for the psychological why and how of the rise and fall of empires and institutions, as well as the constant need for structural reform aimed at sustaining communities. A Time magazine '100 Most Influential People in the World' winner, Jill Bolte Taylor, brought an admittedly over-simplified, yet scientifically viable psychological model of the intersection of 'quality vs. quantity' within the individual brain ... along with the implication of our manipulated over-reliance on. This is particularly when Wolin is struggling with 'radical change' without 'revolution' At 2:35:40. Perhaps the 'transcendence' of Jill Bolte Taylor, at a public level, is close to what he is reaching for? One of my favorite writers of the moment is another '100 Most Influential' winners, primatologist Frans de Waal. He is known as one of the foremost researchers in the roots of morality as being found in other social animals, particularly other primates. An implication which he repeatedly touches on is that empathy-driven morality is possible only with breeding couples, families, and small communities at best - and larger populations necessarily rely more on rigid hierarchies. Coupled with Robin Dunbar's research, I can understand the cognitive dissonance between 'real' empathy-driven morality, and rule-driven (legal or through algorithms) morality - and how the power elite exploit that gap to gain, retain, and expand their power ... the Trump regime being a prime example. What does this mean for me, personally? Nothing. But one point that de Waal points out is that for a social primate 'personally' is an illusion, and like the pre-Rutherfordian 'atom', we are at most, an undefinable point that is better described in terms of relationships. Indeed the Japanese language came up with the word 'citizen' (shakaijin) - and its implied rights and obligations - only a couple of hundred years ago with the rise of the modern Meiji era, and even the word for 'individual' (koujin) was coined only a hundred or so years earlier in order to translate a work by Enlightenment writer Jean Jacques Rousseau. 'I' am just words on a screen here, hoping to be part of evolving relationships, if for nothing else, to preserve my own sanity. I could identify with the success of 'careerists' as dependent on the capacity and willingness to know what question NOT to ask, what assumptions NOT to question. And that is why I am isolated in Japan Inc.

[@evesperspective7662]

Thank you for your perspective and input. You are more than just words on the screen here. We are all like the facets on a diamond.......we help polish each other to shine our lights into the darkness in this wonderful duality we live in that gives us choices. English is my second language and my quest for knowing the difference between capitalism and democracy brought me here. Glad you have left your imprint here with your choice of words. Wishing you the desires of your heart in your journey in life.

[@gleroyTullySAEHEYKID]

Steve Martin I, too, left higher education and have found that when I over-academize my thoughts it leaves the average fellow primate in a lurch. Perhaps undoing some of our "learned" language for the vulgate will allow for more inclusive dialogue and eventual primal change. Just my two satoshis.

[@emmanueloluga9770]

@@evesperspective7662 Just read Hegel, he defined capitalism and democracy before Marx and in a greater fashion. He is the true giant of honest and transformative political philosophy that is beginning to spring up.

[@1984levani]

Out of 240 000 views 40 000 is mine...such a wisdom condensed in 3 hours. Like in a good book, every time i return i find something new.

[@createallow3126]

To listen to a true, wise elder. Breathe of fresh air!

[@ArnMenconiShow]

This is amazing thank you for posting this in it's entirety. I wish I could find the whole transcript now.

[@donny_doyle]

This is so good and important. Both of these men are legends, visionary and priceless teachers. I'm reading Democracy Inc now and you know what book is next... fight the fight good people! ✊🏼🐵

[@garytechentien5731]

Beautiful thinking. I must read Wolin.

[@DoodleMyStroodle]

Came here after recently listening to Chris Hedges talk about this video during his "A Farewell Tour" lecture. Did not disappoint

[@curzurithedreamer]

Sheldon Wolin’s widely dynamic, deeply nuanced, and ultimately specific, appreciation for how difficult it is to develop a prescription for our unprecedented-almost omnipresent-paradoxical situation that we find ourselves in, is daunting to say the least. I truly believe that the rise of a very real ‘Gilead’-like dystopian future here in the United States, may be a foregone conclusion at this point. Something for my fellow Americans to thoughtfully consider, perhaps. As always, thank you for your dissemination of knowledge, Chris. God(s) help us all.

[@theresbob8878]

In KZbin's attempt to achieve the capitalist dream, it accidentally allows the seeds of capitalism's downfall to grow unknowingly. These wonderful programs fly high above today's media, academia in educating the masses. Thank you content providers, thank you KZbin for your unwitting assistance.

[@Brianbeesandbikes]

The Power of Restorative Justice! www.wnycstudios.org/story/on-the-media-fix-the-internet

[@juliusebola9389]

They ban and remove tons of content, much of it obscure. The reason they don't remove this is because it's bullshit and doesn't threaten them in the slightest. Nobody cares. It's exactly the kind of "resistance" the system encourages because they can just coopt it. They can get you to bomb Russia for gay marriage or flood the country with cheap 3rd world immigrant labor because "diversity" is going to help us win against the imaginary Nazis, who invariably always turn out to be working class white people with no power anyway that you beat up at rallies. It's a joke. You're a joke.

[@willibobsful]

@@juliusebola9389 Thanks for your sane voice rising above a pool of shit.

[@TimBitts649]

Sheldon, what a genius, what a treasure.

[@charleskesner1302]

Sheldon had a profound sense of observational analysis. We need more critical thinkers like him. Thanks, Chris.

[@debyte]

Thank you for posting this complete.

[@PeterShev]

You are welcome) All credit goes to TheRealNews though.

[@debyte]

Indeed. An essential part of my news media information.

[@robertbennet8814]

+debyte HERE IS A BLOCKED-LINK MESSAGE FROM FACEBOOK PREVENTING THE LINK TO CHRIS HEDGES' ADMISSION THAT HE BELIEVES THE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNT OF 9/11: We believe the link you are trying to visit is malicious. For your safety, we have blocked it. Learn more about keeping your account secure. If you think this link should not be blocked, please let us know.

[@MichaelGoldenberg]

+Robert Bennet WTF???? So that means that FB promotes 9/11 conspiracy theories? Why am I not surprised?

[@MichaelGoldenberg]

Okay, now I completely understand. Everything.

[@nicethugbert]

When I was a kid, it was stressed many times in history classes that the European Monarchy fell because of it's reliance on the merchant class for money. I think the lesson applies beyond the European Monarchy. Since everyone is dependant on money, it is difficult psychologically for the non-wealthy to want to restrain money because it grants them a measure of freedom. They are trapped. They want more liberty but money only gets them so far and they don't see how to travel the rest of the way except to make more money.

[@sarka74]

nicethugbert huh? I am sorry i ront understand what are you trying to convey R u trying g to say that the middle class or the poor are trying to retrict the wealthy with law and regulations so that they have freedom and that they feel good about themselves for not having money? What does that mean, please explain. I am confused, it's either what u are trying to say is beyond my intellectual capacity or you don't make sense at all.

[@juliusebola9389]

Cool it with the antisemitic remarks.

[@willibobsful]

The Monarchy didn't fall ,it merely performed a tactical repositioning on the advice of its funders.

[@philipm3173]

@@juliusebola9389 what,

[@lylecosmopolite]

Capitalism and democracy can coexist if large expenditures of money cannot determine the outcome of an election. The problem began with the perception starting around 1960, that winning a statewide or nationwide election requiring a large TV advertising budget. TV advertising is quite expensive. The power of money would be substantially reduced if campaigns were limited to 6 weeks, and TV advertising were banned or made available free of charge as part of a public service requirement that TV stations have to meet as a condition of their licences.

[@inthepipe5by549]

Capitalism and democracy cannot exist , dont be stupid ! The only democracy that can exist is the democracy for the rich , everyone else is going to get fucked.

[@matthewstone1660]

Good idea on the ads

[@GazaFloatilla]

"human history might end with man feeling contented and happy as the world crumbles, starvation runs rampant, and political institutions collapse."

[@dougn2350]

Wolin seems to have some hope. Chris is totally convinced that all hope is gone. I'm about 90% aligned with Chris.

[@universalinnovationsolutio4188]

Chris hedges right its over

[@douglasshetherly4748]

Excellent presentation. Sheldon Wolin is brilliant and I am amazed by his clarity at his age, and this makes me happy for him and those who can clean his knowledge.

[@ericbray4201]

It's gotten to the point where I actively hide my political views for fear of being attacked. I haven't had a substantial political conversation with anyone for nearly six months. Even in college most of the students had no idea what the separation of powers was in the federal government or who was their senator or representative but they could give you a synopsis of game of thrones for the last six episodes.

[@kylemountcastle7941]

Eric Bray Yup. We are complicit in Washington's tyranny against the world. Jacques Fresco is another brave intellectual, but like Wohl, we'll likely devolve into complete social unrest before Wohl's ideas can diffuse the regime taking place.

[@Seychelles-10.]

@@kylemountcastle7941 It's happening.

[@brucemcgraw7014]

Hello Eric I wouldn't mind hearing tour political views

[@cheponis]

What's game of thrones? sounds like it's a tv show. Well, that makes sense. Turn off the TV, open up a book. Or three.

[@Brianbeesandbikes]

I've found much 'luck' in asking questions aloud to myself vs making declarative statements. Also pointing out ppl who USED to be wacko that wake up. Love those conversion examples. It's a thin edge. Related links below. You are surrounded by like minded ppl, they are just in hiding like you, for the moment. On the 20c reboot of Divide to Conquer and alt-facts tactics: Newt/Tea Party Obstructionism is Killing America www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/11/newt-gingrich-says-youre-welcome/570832 Gingrich / GOP’s Obstructionism made ‘war-zone’ of Govt www.salon.com/2015/05/23/the_power_grab_that_destroyed_american_politics_how_newt_gingrich_created_our_modern_dysfunction Roger Ailes’ Culture of Lies and Fears kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaq7qn-Oj79qqrc Divide to Conquer full movie 123putlocker.yt/watch/divide-and-conquer-the-story-of-roger-ailes-29886 resources > Talk To Racists www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-burana-how-to-talk-to-racists_n_5b671822e4b0de86f4a273f8

[@mtm00]

Wonderful conversation, with much food for thought. Many thanks.

[@sanford943]

I am reading his book Democracy Inc. Barely into it, but so far pretty interesting. I don't think he was trying to predict the future but in some respects we are certainly going through it now. He writes about Italy and Germany One line of argument, aimed at exonerating democracy’s complicity in totalitarian regimes, contends that prior to the totalitarian seizure of power there was a thin democracy that included little beyond voting rights and formal legal guarantees. Democracy failed because of the superficial democratic civic culture in both societies. At the turn into the twentieth century monarchs were still important political actors in both societies. Germany’s Weimar constitution had been in existence for a mere dozen years; Italy’s parliamentary monarchy, while a creation of the nineteenth century, was notoriously corrupt and lacking in public support. Neither country could draw on a fund of democratic political experience or a tradition of participatory politics; its citizenry was prepolitical. The shallowness of democracy’s hold in those countries was underscored by the astonishing rapidity with which Hitler and Mussolini consolidated their dictatorships and opposition collapsed. Germany and Italy didn't have what we would call a long lasting democracies. But I would say that our democracy has become some what thin. We have the right to vote. But now we have a president that would like to limit freedom of speech and the press. Calls the press the enemy of the people. We have a government run by the rich for the rich. I guess we have always had that from the beginning. After all it was rich people who decided what the constitution would be.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Sanford, I agree but at least the rich folks that wrote the Constitution were intelligent adults. The same can't be said for the majority of wealthy folks today.

[@jazzsocietyofecuador]

An extraordinary and important interview with a great historian and intellect by an extraordinary and important journalist.

[@HanaDeHaya]

Really enjoy the clarity & wisdom of Sheldon Wolin.

[@ILoveLenin]

Is it bad that as a Brit I don’t know this Sheldon dude..? It randomly popped up, prob because I am obsessed with CHRIS HEDGES!! - it was intriguing from the get go! A hefty 2.5 hrs I’m still on it. Love the intermittent discussion about my beloved Marx as well. Chris looks happy here, or “in his element” some might say. Thanks Chris + Real News

[@jasonmoser8957]

Wonderful talk start to finish

[@johnstockwellmajorsmedleyb1214]

Another great interview Hedges. Wolin, Chomsky, Ford, great minds, interviewed by a great mind. Hedges Ford Ventura 2021 PUSA

[@TheSonicfrog]

brilliant analysis, thank you for posting!

[@stevendurham9996]

What a beautiful old Man. What courage in the face of death. May I be a person, embodying such courage. Amen, and Thank You, Sheldon, and Christopher. Thank You, both.

[@KD-rv5uo]

Incredible & what an honor❤️

[@retiredreplicant.2195]

Who will replace these great thinkers ?

[@miaash3870]

Thoroughly enjoyable. All Chris Hedges interviews are just brilliant. Thank you both.

[@joemallett1897]

Trickle Down Economics is a myth. Elect politicians who will tax the corporations so life isn't as taxing on you and yours.

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

It's not a myth; it is and always has been a LIE. It's the veneer behind which the oligarchs have stolen power and prosperity from the other 99.9% of us. This must end or we are all doomed.

[@juliusebola9389]

@@ttystikkrocks1042 Cool it with the antisemitic remarks

[@garyvlahos635]

Julius Ebola You sick racist

[@moeali12345]

Thank you Chris Hedges. You are great.

[@christophehatch-berthier6365]

Thank you for the post Peter. Greetings from France - cheers!

[@josephgreen2008]

If I have just half the faculties as Mr Wolin has at his age in 2014 I will be very grateful.

[@catherinelilyrichardson528]

Thanks for posting this lively and informative discussion.....enlightening!

[@jacquelinesternberg8461]

That's what Thomas Jefferson said. He said, too, that a society should undergo revolution every 20 years (thereabouts).

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

Thank you so much for posting this important interview. The audio level is a bit low. Perhaps you might adjust and upload a better version. Again, thanks for this.

[@bernard6255]

Must eliminate money from elections and politics...only then can real change have a chance.

[@annamamo3645]

Or back and elect people from your midst. That are not corrupt to the core ;)

[@kreed1004]

money corrupts politics @@annamamo3645

[@mattcalza4199]

Ontological reasoning at it's finest.

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

It's a catch-22; to get money out of politics, the People must take power. For the People to take power, we must get money out of politics.

[@pockit57d.a.d.68]

@@annamamo3645 1951 was the year for party only picks their criminal . Real Patriots were not aloud to run anymore .

[@evesperspective7662]

Thank you Peter for posting this.

[@Luke43168]

Wolin unfortunately passed away yesterday, October 21st, 2015

[@johnnybizaro1]

+Luke43168 R.I.P Wolin

[@pacerodi]

R.I.P., brother in soul!

[@tarnopol]

Nicely done: thanks for making this conveniently available. Wolin died yesterday, btw. Deep thinker worth paying attention to.

[@reptilespantoso]

The "yellow jackets" prove that this is a 100% correct analysis.

[@juliusebola9389]

The yellow jackets prove that the actual working class doesn't want cheap labor mass immigration driving wages down in the name of "diversity."

[@dougn2350]

America makes it very difficult for regular citizens to cast a vote. Early voting or vote by mail is highly restrictive. Allowing 12 hours on given Tuesday when most people are working 9 hour days with an hour commute and having to pick up your kids leaves about 30 minutes to stand in a line that could be hours long. Its another form of voter suppression.

[@theblackswanx361]

honestly though, who did watch this to the end ;) I have been forwarding back, over and over again. will try to watch it to the end though.

[@kirstinstrand6292]

Multiple concepts discussed here that require thought...time to buy this man's book. I'm unfamiliar with Sheldon Wolin's work.

[@growthandunderstanding]

With great respect to Mr. Hedges, this question is a non-starter. Here, in the land, the nation that returned the republic as a form of political organization, what other financial system is even possible, let alone compatible? The only think that we must return to is strict regulation of corporations, preventing them from having any part in politics, and a sufficient taxation of the wealthy.

[@cheri238]

💯 correct

[@rickbishop5987]

Thanks for the full version.

[@voteforno.6155]

Fascinating. This type of deep dive is very rare in public discourse.

[@gigireitano2458]

Many thanks for the excellent interview and all the thoughtful comments below ! Gigi Reitano

[@Spacexioms]

Who ever found this, good job.

[@Marxist2]

Two amazing minds & human beings. thank you for having them.

[@littoralpropiedades9111]

Thank you Real News

[@danielwest2186]

Spot on Chris and Sheldon . Thank you .

[@davidlilley4637]

Chris, I have made the case that parliamentary democracy provides near perfect answers to all of our moral questions, big and small. Below is an extract from a post I put on a Sam Harris KZbin three months ago. "We have had many moral theories including the ten commandments, bibles, utilitarianism and the categorical imperative. But they are all history. We make moral laws everyday in parliament without reference to any of these moral codes. There is no effort to "stand on the shoulders of Kant and see further" and give us a 21st century moral code. On the contary we just "make up our moral laws as we go" and they are near perfect in western democracies. We make our moral laws (and every law that we pass is moral) via debate and scrutiny, green papers, white papers, freedom of thought and freedom of speech, public consultation, stakeholder consultation, ammendments, second house review, first reading and second reading. We give every opportunity for the best argument to intervene and win the day. And if the new law has some unforseen downside that debate and scrutiny failed to spot we just change the law as it is our sole perrogative. To summarise. Natural laws, the laws of nature, are fixed but moral laws are our choice. We choose them. We do not look to evolution, studies of ants, geese, history, antropology, utilitarianism, material dielectic, DNA, genes or the electro-chemical diodes in our brain. "You cannot derive ought statements from is statements". We choose on the basis of the best argument. The best argument rules in every discipline including the king of disciplines, epistemology. Does anyone wish to argue?"

[@wouldbegood]

But does not every system wish to defend itself to the end. Parliamentary democracy goes wrong when the system heads down a road which it needs to u-turn back up. It manages to edit but not to re-write. Seems to me.

[@scotthawley3940]

What about Renaissance instead of Revolution as the moniker for the philosophy of radical change. After all re-birth and return are conceptually very similar. Renaissance also has something of a non-violent and inclusive tone about it which might assuage the fears of those who would avoid violence in the pursuit of change.

[@juliusebola9389]

Like American Renaissance. Isn't that a racist magazine?

[@alexcarter8807]

@@juliusebola9389 It is, but I don't think this is what Scott Hawley means. The original Renaissance was a rebirth, after coming out of the Dark Ages, of culture in Europe. Nothing to do with race.

[@peterschaffter826]

Thank you for posting this. It serves as a reminder of Winston Smith's epiphany in Nineteen Eighty-Four, that sanity--at least political sanity--is not statistical. Wolin may not be a household name, but every word he utters is an expression of reality in a world beset with doublethink. I don't know if the irony way intentional, but the title of the interview is itself an example of doublethink: the capacity to hold two contraictory ideas simultaneously. It is blazingly evident that capitalism and democracy cannot co-exist, yet for hundreds of millions, the sheer logical impossibility of them doing so causes not a trace of cognitive dissonnance.

[@StellarFella]

"Winning isn't everything, its the only thing" ...Vince Lombardi. Politics have left sound ideology to more reflect this point of view.

[@nickjensensbookreviews5137]

Wolin may be the most underated american academic in terms of political philosophy

[@mustafaoshaughnessy3198]

Thank you!

[@MrDXRamirez]

Wolin should know the citizenry, especially an immigrant citizenry are passive and never vigilante. It his way of saying no, democracy and capitalism cannot coexist, its one or the other.

[@christinestill5002]

This was published in 2014 not necessarily the same year it was recorded. Perhaps this wise & remarkable man did not live to witness the catastrophe of Donald Trump & the national pandemic! Thank you, Chris Hedges.

[@sunspot8316]

Excellent. Athens democracy interests me. I like John Taylor Gatto's analysis of their education system. I'm 27 years old. I live in Mississippi. Cannabis is good medicine. Sheldon Wolin seems like a good guy. Chris Hedges is also awesome. This is my first time seeing Sheldon. I've discovered Chris Hedges not long ago. Chomsky pretty cool. I follow other things as well, medical industry politics. Ivan Illich. Schooling. I haven't been at this very long, maybe a few years. evolutionary biology interests me. Currently 1/13/2017 Just felt like making a comment for the younger generation.

[@eileenmc4746]

guy McPherson, Naomi klein, Thomas frank, abby martin and the empire files, status quo and Jordan charliton. lee camp of redacted today, chris hedges on rt for his On Contact show, oren lyons, my peoples party movement for 3rd party and platform, dr. Richard wolff and his economic update on news/politics/socialism etc. keep studying-you tube has lectures and show links.

[@matthewstone1660]

U keep going and learning bud

[@amyanderson4099]

Cannabis legalization may be the savior of democracy hence it started by petitioning the state of Colorado ..a tangible freedom

[@Marxist2]

What a learning experience!

[@toddmentch]

Peter - can you please cut this in two? The online mp3 converter does not allow videos over 90 minutes, and I want this as a podcast. THANKS!

[@jojorazor3136]

My mind has been blown!

[@davidlilley4637]

Chris,I am still calling you out on this one. Please see my comments below.

[@michaeljechon6139]

RIP and thank you, Professor Wolin.

[@richarddesitter9386]

Correctness in government of our democracy needs a change. Yes"revolution" is too strong a word."Reboot"our government and it:s tax structure may be a gentler word.F.D.R. saved our democracy once with severe structure changes and avoided the word revolution.

[@sanford943]

I have been reading his book Democracy Inc and listening to this. Barely into the book but I think it is well worth reading.

[@robgoren8628]

Should have 10 million views.

[@UrbaNSpiel]

Great wisdom

[@MrCannatopia]

“Speak ballsy” - Sheldon Wolin Goddamn tattoo worthy

[@davidknight7040]

Universities, political parties, The PRESS - This is the essence of centralized power. These groups must be constantly questioned because they will claim the right to control without debate by use of experts and censorship.

[@DonDeering]

You can analyze the depravities of capitalism till you run out of breath, but if you want to change it, we'll need to organize the multiracial working class to fight for the things it needs as a class. We need our own political party to do that.

[@kevincrady2831]

American democracy, like Western civilization, would be a good idea.

[@tiffsaver]

Fantastic video.

[@TheKeelanstuart]

They talked about George McGovern splitting and ineffectualizing the Democratic party, but I think the events surrounding Henry Wallace had already done that. I wonder what his comments on that would have been... sigh.

[@mattolson7143]

Sheldon Wolin, was great Intellectual and ww2 veteran It shame we done have teacher and professor like hem any more