Conversations: Featuring Niall Ferguson II

John is joined by Stanford University Senior Fellow and prolific author Niall Ferguson in the NSW Parliament House in Sydney. In front of a live audience they examine a wide range of vital issues, from Trump & Brexit, to immigration & populism and socialism & China. A must watch.
johnanderson.net.au/
/ johnandersonao
/ johnandersonao
www.niallferguson.com/
/ niallcferguson
/ nfergus

[@aqynbc]

Mr. Ferguson is a brilliant man. Mr. Anderson also knows how to LISTEN to his guests. Refreshing. Thank you.

[@PaulinaWest1]

"If you just have a market economy without civil society, it doesn't work." Well said, applause!

[@awuma]

Quite insightful. Perhaps the main feature of the Leninist system is that it involves the total suppression of anything which might theoretically challenge the Party, thus any association (e.g. union, sports, hobbies, academic interests) must be under total Party control. This means no independent civil society, only the Party under "democratic centralism" (i.e. Central Committee, under the Politburo, itself under the General Secretary or Chairman). Religion by its nature posits an authority above the Party, so it's a no-no.

[@joanneel9708]

Paulina ... This too, shall pass ....

[@panagiotisbalaktaris7825]

Niall Ferguson is a genius historian. Great interview.

[@Xergecuz]

He is, sadly he is a conservative and the left will never acknowledge him, and the right will never accept him since he left his white wife and married a black woman from a muslim country.

[@onetwo6064]

Bad Xerge the “right” doesn’t exist, the referendum was on stopping the insanity of left and their total denial that Islam is not compatible with western free secular cultures, reading the Biography of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq was the best thing I have done, and studying the Reliance of the Traveller Sharia Law Compendium, is shocking. It has nothing to do with skin colour, it is purely ideological. And the catastrophe of trying to have totally opposing thoughts occupy the same space. Ayan Hisri Ali is a legend of a woman, and isn’t embraced by feminists... and why? Because she speaks inside truth about the barbarity of Islam; and she is therefore by PC logic, a white supremacist and an islamaphobe. The West needs to be honest and blunt.

[@arthol51]

@@onetwo6064 your diatribe while understandable is just feeding into the narrative of the culture war. There is no 'them' there is only us. It is important to talk and listen. Be careful what you say because there is a danger you are being played and you can become nothing more than a pawn in a giant chess game. I do hear what you are saying about intolerance but to use intolerant language to articulate your ideas makes you no different from those you criticize.

[@leonie563]

He's pretty thought provoking. Peter Zeihan End of Globalization podcasts are pretty mind blowing too.

[@seasidesue816]

“Paul Krugman, a journalist who used to be an economist......” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JenkinsOwen]

100% more of an economist than this guy is an historian. Anyone who reads his work on Kissinger, Bengal, WW1 or pretty much anything is going to end up having no idea what actually happened during those events.

[@yonisgure7348]

@@JenkinsOwen It's interesting, because Ferguson could actually be described similarly: "A journalist who used to be a serious economic historian" Early on in his intellectual career, he wrote serious and probing eco-historical studies of the Hamburg business enterprises, world-bankers, etc. All of which were taken seriously by historians and other academics. Then he became a populist "intellectual", more concerned about appeasing the prejudices of the Right, involved in insidious culture wars debates. Stripped of it's pretence to expertise and highfalutin verbosity, not much of what he says now is indistinguishable from the moanings of IDW-types

[@albertgrant1017]

Paul Krugman has been wrong on so many issues . From across the Pond

[@jonathanbywater2063]

What an absolute privilege it was to be able to be part of this online. Quite exceptional, even by the already very high standards of this series of programmes. Time just flew by. Thanks to Professor Niall Ferguson for the great insights and to John for hosting and placing this online for us to enjoy and benefit from. Interesting that there are 110 down arrows at time of writing this. I can only assume that the real world insights shared in this session are not in accordance with the indoctrination received by those who did not appreciate them. For me that simply reinforces the importance keeping these going.

[@juliekemp419]

Love the definition of terms - bless Niall. Great discussion. Love Niall's comments re my heroes 'Shakespeare' and Thomas Sowell. So grateful for John.

[@theman946]

More relevant conversation in 2020 than it was in 2019. It will only serve as a timeless touchstone for what a civil conversation is.

[@jakedovey1586]

An astute response. Yet worryingly we are on a discourse that we will see Mr Biden in the White House. I cannot see him running this trade war with China, neither can I see him continuing a military policy the same as Trumps. The people's virus, Mr Trump entered the Whitehouse, its somewhat sad to see him being driven out of the Whitehouse by a virus and Obamas lap dog. Sadly he went to the printing press before he left too... Doing even more long term damage. We can only hope that the polls are wrong again. Spoken from a man of the United Kingdom.

[@joanneel9708]

Jake ... President’s poll numbers are GREAT ... they are being misrepresented by the Democrats & the MSM .. It’s going to be a LANDSLIDE ...#WWG1WGA

[@ristrettofacts]

This is one of the best discussions I have heard lately, even (or especially) in times of CoV-SARS-2

[@kenelmtonkin7722]

A free ranging, deeply probing discussion about the West, the internal pressures it faces and it's position in the world. This video is continued evidence that the future for meaningful civic discussion is less about centralised news networks and more about motivated citizens coming together. Congratulations again John Anderson. Your contributions, initiative and speaker selections are first-class.

[@damienroberts934]

Could the "lack of trust in institutions" be party attributable to the mass immigration and multi-culturalism that has been found to degrade general trust in the community? That makes sense to me. Any transformation as monumental as is happening now, regardless of the good intentions of those who started it, is going to have huge effects on the social capital available.

[@tpicard88]

@@damienroberts934 i really dont think it is mass migration. Because we may look at the number today and say it's a mass migration but thats just because of modes of transport and ease of communication technology which made advertising of some countries more efficient thru movies and culture influence. Migration has always been a part of the human story more so in the west than the east as the west has been a lot more efficient at absorbing these new cultures and textile them in the social fabric much better than the east. For example we tend to look at china as a homogenous land but it is not, it really is the dominant Han chinese imposing their view and will on others ethnicities. They took over tibet and jailing uygurs in concentration camps to be indocrinated and forced to leave their traditional religion ( islam ) which at the end will blow back in their face. However with all the problems with migration on the west ghettoisation of some parts of town. Fundamental islam's rise in europe their a tremendous amount of bright young multi ethnic young people who cherish and support open debate and expression and just general openess and that is a total break with the culture of their parents which is one of firmness and dissent suppression to maintain control. Racism slows that integration but unltimately that integration will succeed. However the issue in the west is the invome inequality which fuels this polarization and rupture of dialogue that reverberates through society. We now have two camps that almost stopped talking to each as if they speak two different language and thats where the danger is.

[@damienroberts934]

@@tpicard88 Understand all that, however, many European nations and those in the Anglosphere are on track to transform white majorities into minorities... this causes great stress and anxiety on the part of white majorities - which is perfectly justified. That would absolutely eat away at the trust the majority has in political institutions since to even broach that subject is forbidden and tantamount to "racism". It is great that minorities in Western nations are assimilating - though I would question the success of that - the real point is fundamental for the majority population however. Minority populations in Western countries are blind (more likely indifferent due to their own self-interest) to the fear, confusion and anger (all rational) of the majority population attending the demographic changes seen everywhere. The fact that a white person cannot talk openly and without fear about this fundamental issue destroys trust and creates resentment. Multi-culturalism and the suppression of speech in relation to this historically unprecedented transformation is a major cause of this "lack of trust in the integrity of western institutions". It makes perfect sense.

[@tpicard88]

@@damienroberts934 i agree that we are at a stage where the politically correct agenda is causing self censorship in certain demographics no doubt about that i still really stress the fact that the deindistrualization caused by globalization is the root cauze of the anti immigrant sentiment. This can be shown clearly in the difference between the usa and Europe. Like in the generals the muslims of the usa have integrated very well that is partly due that the divition in the usa is on the lines of color so the middle eastern when they came most americans didnt see them as a threat so racism was low until 2001 of course. However in europe the divisions are along cultural lines so it was if your are not from the main cultural identity you are the other and that triggered all kinda problems. I refer to this wonderful video above where Niall said people from wales and poles dont look any different. But yet again the core of the issue is we are censoring white population with this pc speech agenda pushed mainly tbh by the white elites

[@pelolocoblue]

And quite poignant today, one year on.

[@jimjefftube]

Niall Fergson! Where have you been all my life and what an absolutely brilliant take on all topics discussed!

[@cscott9361]

I am very glad I decided to listen to this talk , in it`s entirety . Thank you John , you are obviously a great loss to the decision making of our country .

[@garysymons3930]

Niall's warning is very timely, and we could be running out of time , democrasy moves slowly , dictatorship is faster but often in the wrong direction , our species wont be able to survive a nuclear winter .Great talk .

[@josephisafan]

Niall's commentary on the complacency of Australia's defence could not have been described better by John. Sobering. Utterly sobering.

[@adam872]

That was brilliant. Thank you John for providing the platform and thank you Niall for your penetrating insights.

[@djnv4702]

I’m a middle class voter in the US. Live on the left coast. I have a college education. Christian. Relatively conservative. Didn’t vote for trump last time. WILL be voting for him this time. Why? Because despite his brashness and New York rude manners, he actually does exactly what he says he will do. He’s worked hard in the last three years. He’s bringing jobs back to US that had been shipped off to China. We were all told those old days were over. He fought back against that narrative and supports us. I have come to really love him as a president though I’d like to see a return to good manners-but the issue is that the left is completely hypocritical and are more interested in keeping power for themselves and lying to voters than actually doing anything at all to help American people.

[@georgeinjapan6583]

Who did you vote for last time? Just curious...Gary Johnson ? Jill Stein ?

[@chrisbishop1534]

I'm Engish and your right.I grew up in a country that was "Engish" and now it's a mess that's lost it's identity.

[@kayleneemery8217]

Finally..........I have grown up - seems to have taken forever. I will revisit this conversation , thank you both .

[@peredavi]

Excellent discussion. John Anderson is the finest interviewer I can think of.

[@christinehallett3197]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[@markcowan336]

Great conversation......please keep up the good work John, it’s a great way to engage with wider world 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@magnuslindkvist4376]

”Emocracy” - what a great word (and astute observation)

[@electricdreams8237]

I find it a bit... naff. A weak pun. Democracies always were and are in danger of becoming "emocracies". Plato would argue, and did argue, that a democracy IS an emocracy by default, and that only through application of stern laws and/or elite governance it doesn't devolve into mob rule, so nothing new there. "Demos" is not a word that has very positive connotations in greek. Basically it's somewhere between "people" and just "mob".

[@necksugar]

Too many hear "$nobbery" and see "$mart"

[@kaufmanat1]

"I'm the angriest, therefore I'm the most justified in my beliefs..." I can't think of a concept more antithetical to the ideals of western liberalism as I understand it.

[@kaufmanat1]

@@electricdreams8237 Plato argued for something very close to a republic. People choosing the most qualified among them to lead.

[@hamishbills9975]

‘Free thought is superior to central control’. Hear hear Niall!!

[@roddehoedt8254]

A penetrating and balanced conversation on such important issues. Something we do not see very often on or in main stream media these days. Would love to see you in conversation with Niall Ferguson's Wife, Ayaan Hirsi Ali. A most fascinating, brave and compelling person. Thank you for your many interesting, important and well researched conversations.

[@KowBoySpace]

Self loathing is the answer to everything. Genuinely. I wish I knew how to stop people doing it because they are taking the rest of us down with them

[@bassbuckmaster]

Its left-wing media, tv. They have been making white men as the villainous fool for 2 generations. Hopefully they get whats coming.

[@thadtuiol1717]

@@bassbuckmaster They fucking will if I have anything to do with it.

[@neomagneto84]

There needs to be better education of history and enlightenment values. They just get a few bad bits of the empire days (ignoring the achievements that also went along with it) and, as others have said, self-loath and loath everybody else with it.

[@AugustusCaesar88]

@@bassbuckmaster we are in a metaphorical 1920s Germany right now, it’s only a matter of time before the rubber band snaps back in the opposite direction. Let’s just hope not as violently as it did then.

[@cironicholas526]

It's incredibly refreshing and REASSURING (especially to an anxious fool like me) that Niall comes across as so calm and unworried..... Murry, Rubin, Peterson, Shapiro, Rogan, I value them all, but Ferguson is the only one I can listen to and not feel hopelessly frightened.

[@cironicholas526]

@Nobby Barnes , that certainly escalated quickly. You publicly accused a stranger of being a cult member and foot soldier of genocidal hate based upon a comment that vaguely indicated my political leanings. That strikes me as prejudiced and intolerant... It doesn't matter what your politics are, if you start with the assumption that everyone who disagrees with you is maximally bad you will absolutely create for yourself a world in which everyone who disagrees with you IS maximally bad, and you will live your life feeling like a rat in a world full of snakes.

[@naoakiooishi6823]

Impressed. A very powerful dicussion on the diverse subjects that helps me greatly to understand what's happening outsides of our somewhat a tight barrier of language. Ferguson's cases here are the most unwelcomed things for the left-inclined mass media in Japan today

[@ligiacoelho5082]

Being in the same room with and listening to both those extraordinaire beings beats a trip into space or under the sea in my world. Even if I could afford such extravagancies. I can’t get enough of those two! ❤❤

[@SafeTrucking]

These talks are an excellent contribution John. A very worthwhile use of your time post-politics.

[@stevesewell6719]

Another great conversation. I have found these conversations to of great value to helping me to better understand the world we live in. John, you are to be commended for the quality of the speakers you engage in these conversations. Great work once again.

[@aon10003]

Niall Fergusson is an excellent lecturer and this is one of his best ever. Thanks.

[@multitopic1908]

His brilliance makes me envious. Much food for thought!

[@GRIFFIN1238]

The progression of these episodes to a live audience is a nice touch. It adds the necessity of the interviewee to be light on their feet, at least in theory.

[@isaacvale1673]

I keep coming back to this every few months, amazing how not a single second is wasted. Pure wisdom. BTW love the casual format of the conversation.

[@xandra6610]

Thank you John Anderson for opening up the dialog to discuss the amounting issues impacting western values and culture. The issues discussed here are issues that I've thought about and are concerned about, yet it's never openly discussed in the media or pollies. I'm greatful for all your hard work producing these talks! :) Sincerely a younger Aussie. (I hope things will change for the best soon)

[@IIVVBlues]

Superlative conversation for our time. I believe he is absolutely correct with regards to his comments on China.

[@sushilover5367]

except he was wrong about the historical fact, lol

[@thewolfofswingthat2035]

It was the russians who took a large chunk of Qing dynasty. He just made things up.

[@davidwearne4176]

that last scotch worked wonders ... very insightful and poignant, thank you again gentlemen

[@HigherInfluence]

I’ve watched many of Niall’s talks and he does appear to have had a few prior to this one.

[@mp353]

Love it! The scotch that Niall knocked back at 8:00 minutes looks like it really kicked in at around 59:00 minutes. Too funny! I bet he's a hoot at parties. Plus he's absolutely brilliant in explaining the world with an historical perspective.

[@tntramzy12]

Haha maybe a bit sooner around 40 minutes. I do enjoy the more relaxed tone though

[@prizecowproductions]

He Scottish there always fun at parties

[@lexiegrant8264]

Don't lets forget Ayaan Hirsi Ali was basically banned from speaking here only a short time ago. Supposed safety reasons.

[@Johnconno]

The poster-girl person?

[@stephenphillips3883]

I love listening to Niall explore issues and having seen him a little tipsy here I now know he'd be good craic on a night out.

[@brokenbulbs]

Interesting that they mentioned trust. Francis Fukuyama wrote a whole book on this quite a few years ago, as Niall rightly mentioned. Fukuyama claims that China is a relatively "low-trust culture," and this may hinder its firms in their quest to become global. He also claims that the Chinese are, at core, highly individualistic - which flies in the face of what most business books tell you. And, from my experience, I agree with him. High churn rate of staff, unwillingness to spend extended periods of time in faraway lands, low loyalty to any company, family pressure to stay close to parents, low empathy (which makes it hard to create world-class brands) - just some of the realities.

[@joostvandegoor150]

Another great conversation, John. Your show has become one of my favorites on the web (or anywhere else, for that matter). The conversations apply to a great extend to Europe as well as Australia. Thank you, and also thanks to Niall.

[@catherineruncie1549]

Anderson's Conversations are essential to the deeply thinking citizen of the world

[@iknovate]

How brilliant would it be if reporters were as refreshingly honest as Niall? I'd actually watch the news again!

[@eschimiti]

Great great great conversations! Sweeping observations! Thank you for sharing this rich moment!

[@nuqwestr]

"No Trust, No Peace", Justice is just one part of that equation.

[@marycahill546]

Very thought provoking. Thanks for posting!

[@seblauu]

This was amazing. Niall Ferguson is brilliant and so good at conveying his ideas.

[@dannyd9872]

Well... that was bloody brilliant in every way. Thank you again John. Niall - GO ON MY SON!

[@matejmosko2913]

Man , no idea if you read this comment, but even though you don't have many subs or views , keep working. It's high quality content.

[@rosethorns1893]

No! It isn’t that our schools “aren’t” teaching our kids about “socialism”. It’s that the teachers, the school system actually romanticize socialism and communism. I agree that the unions are a huge problem but there is something far more nefarious at work these days and it’s all connected!

[@rosethorns1893]

Chidi Akara ...touché. You got me there. Yes, I agree.

[@mark-yj5sg]

Chidi Akara but...but... isn’t socialist revolution a romantic tale, it’s the story of the victory of the underdog. Maybe the route to that victory and it’s results are not up for romanticism so that bit isn’t really part of the folk law.

[@Ryan-wu1oi]

George Soros

[@chrisbishop1534]

People only form Trade unions because employers are dishonest .

[@mark-yj5sg]

Chris Bishop workers should have the right to advocate for their interests I don’t think that is the problem. Both the left, center and the right leaning population are workers and should show solidarity.

[@roodborstkalf9664]

Glad to see that what most of what Niall Ferguson is saying makes sense again. He lost me in 2015/16 when he was too much aligned with Cameron and Osborne and was campaigning for Remain. Also a very good move of him to marry Ayaan.

[@michaelfitzgerald173]

Thank you John & Neil. Insightful and informative.

[@petervandenengel1208]

Virtues as tipical values have nothing what soever to do with a political discussion, apart from setting the tone of voice perhaps. Another stray philosopher in this world. Bravo for keeping a straight face Niall.

[@cyclingjase]

Keep making these videos, John. They’re indispensable.

[@m.burgesszbikowski8049]

Women are at a point where their being in the workforce, is affecting the workplace. Women joined a man's world of work, and women adjusted to men's rules of civil discourse. Now, Women's rules of Feelings and especially the hyper sensitivity to Other people's feelings is destroying civil discourse. The separation of the sexes in work, is ancient. This elbow to elbow with very different views of work, is a problem we Must face. Pointing fingers and trying to destroy each other, is deadly. Hope to hell we figure it out!

[@tmcgee8489]

I’ve been calling it “the feminization of America”. It has not been good for society. Men and women are different...and bring different qualities to the dance. We need to figure out the proper balance of male and female contributions to the world.

[@m.burgesszbikowski8049]

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI . To be in agreement, is most pleasing. I have spent a while thinking about the subject. Now, I have one person, who does not want to hang me for my conclusions. Thank you.

[@m.burgesszbikowski8049]

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI . Thousands is good. 🤔

[@juliemoss3753]

I disagree. Women have always worked. Whether paid or unpaid. Look at the Women's Guilds of Europe. The surname 'Baxter' means female brewer. The sign for a pub was a broom. I disagree with the broad brush view that all women i. have a hypersensitivity to others' feelings and ii. that it is destroying civil discourse - look at the football hooligans of England, they are male and have a hypersensitivity to other men singing songs supporting an opposing team. You seem to be saying that civil discourse then, is male, and only male, discourse. that civil i.e. civic - to be a good citizen, of the marketplace, to live in a city, is male. You are setting the lines as women not being capable of, indeed as being toxic to, being a good citizen - not to go into a common place in the city. Ergo, women are not citizens, and do not deserve to be part of civilized society. I totally agree that men and women are different, by the way. I do not agree that women should be shut out of civic business and open, civilised society.

[@m.burgesszbikowski8049]

Julie Moss . I am 80. I spent 50 years reading about Women's work, as apart of my studying economics on a micro level. I felt it had more to do with History then The Wars fought. My conclusions were, as I stated. No argument from me will win your mind, and contrary feelings. I hope One day you have your own Business, and get to test out your own ideas. Your real problem right now, is you do not see how men think, or interact. Your comments have made me see this as your real difference with me. It is a balance in your thinking you do need, to find the way we all need right now. Our species have every sort of bloody mindedness. I give you the world! ; - )

[@timwhitham2811]

Thankyou for conducting this conversation- great interview

[@wowhausstudios5514]

Always enjoy Niall. Another great discussion. Cheers!

[@774Rob]

Laphroig Niall Ferguson is the best Niall Ferguson.

[@charlespeterson3798]

I, being a a half Scott, and the son of an M.D, find Mr. Ferguson pitch perfect, particularly on matters such as the old man telling you to take two aspirin and get on with it.

[@Apriluser]

The more regulations, the more innovation around those regs. (A paraphrase from my Certified Financial Planner Tax textbook.)

[@deneeravid1067]

I love it!

[@violinsinthevoid4579]

John Anderson, you are a great recent discovery! May your page grow exponentially!

[@jjosephs6521]

May I ask, what country your from? Or do you know who John Anderson is but you never knew he had a KZbin channel? Because John Anderson is a former Australian politician who was the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the National Party from 1999 to 2005.

[@groth3395]

two brilliant men conducting thoughtful, human discourse.....I was somewhat amused by the effects of the "medicinal" scotch on Ferguson as time went on...all the while finding myself hoping the interview ended before he did.

[@Andy-ci9ky]

Great interview 👍

[@Righteo]

Clearly a guy who has been surrounded by intelligent people since he was a child

[@MrDaymien1]

And has no clue

[@Johnconno]

@@MrDaymien1 Is the right answer!

[@tntramzy12]

He's ok on history but when he spoke about banks he had no idea

[@neomagneto84]

@@MrDaymien1 Awaiting your book.

[@MrDaymien1]

@@neomagneto84 That was a grave dig. Give me your phone number and Ill give you some spoken word.

[@ryanmcwhorter8501]

20:10 I'd like to point out for a second that it was the bank trading highly dubious derivative securities that cause a part of the crash, not merely the bank's hyperleverage.

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

Yep, he got that wrong. It was also Clinton partly repealing Glass-Steagall in the late 90s that opened the door for collapse of the American banks. Ferguson's something of a fixation on populism and populist movements being the root cause of all global ills gets him into silly territory at times.

[@OrdMandrell1]

Absolutely fascinating insight into the regulation vs. deregulation of banks and one I've never ever heard before.

[@859902]

NF is high quality and good to see his eloquence here was aided by just the right amount of scotch

[@rawprawn8198]

I have always warmed to someone that recognises the value of a single malt.

[@gmac805]

NiallFerguson, has just sounded a clarion call for Australia to take a hard long look at its security situation vis-a-vi China. The next one hundred years looks perilous especially given that one million ethnic Chinese already call Australia home.

[@pattyb6003]

We don't care about the cost. Your nation is priceless, no matter how much you sell it for you're getting ripped off.

[@harryradley]

Sponsored by Laphroaig 😁👍 No really, brilliant conversation. Too many great points to comment on anything specific; keep it up John.

[@naoakiooishi6823]

Impressed this is still valid. Japan is still livable in October 2021. AUKUS

[@matello18]

brilliant!

[@prizecowproductions]

Watching this in 2023 Trump is out Biden in. Corbett is prime minister of England. The Banks haven't changed not even a little bit. Labour is stuffing around with our constitution so nothing really promising for conservative voters on the horizon. Thanks again John really enjoy your conversations.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

This was my favorite Laphroaig commercial yet!

[@AuditorInvestor]

Simple regulation and regulators with discretion - excellent - also applicable to other aspects of life.

[@dewiowen3010]

I love Ferguson. A rational intellectual.

[@petervandenengel1208]

I ment to say virtues as tipical values have nothing whatsoever to do with a political discussion, apart from setting a tone of voice perhaps. Another stray philosopher in this world. Bravo for keeping a straight face Niall

[@Gorbyrev]

Very interesting conversation. Your thoughts about Brexit and the Scottish Independence referrenda were insightful. As a Scot who is committed to the Union what has been habitually missed is that many of us voted remain to avoid the prospect of another damaging independence vote. That was a primary concern for many of us and very few political commentators picked up on this. Unfortunately this has been used as a justification for the difference between Scotland and the rest of the Union, which may or may not be true on the issue of Europe, but the reality is far more nuanced. Many of my independence minded friends voted for Brexit. Their argument being why would we replace London with Brussels and Strasbourg?

[@demetriserrallonga1743]

Thanks for such words

[@artc1321]

Amazing video, great points! Niall Ferguson keeps reminding me why he is one of my all-time heroes!

[@dannysze8183]

really? you are brain washed. he is cunning and pretentious. From your name, you are not anglo saxon.

[@brucevilla]

Thanks for Uploading.

[@gslim7337]

1:30:00 Nialls' answer in terms of our complacency towards the threat from China should be mandatory viewing for both major political parties. Certainly for the Sam Dastyaris of our country.

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

And Tony Whatshisname from Q&A.

[@sushilover5367]

elaborate on this "threat from China" plz. does china claim a territorial dispute with australia or does china try to force its ideology onto australia?

[@gslim7337]

@@sushilover5367 The Confucius Institute is designed to promote the views and policies of the PRC. Darwin Port and NSW Electricity Grid Purchase. Key Australian assets. The attempted purchase of Kidman and Cubby stations. Huawei 5G network with data collection capacity. A Military Base in the South China Seas in a key international shipping lane. Sam Dastyari! No direct claim has been made but then again they don't have to spell out their intent.

[@gslim7337]

@@sushilover5367 Actually the Lowry institute report that includes transcripts and comments from ASIO regarding the undue influence the Confucius Institute is having at not just La Trobe University but all academic institutions. The United Kingdom abandoned colonisation mid last century recognising the error of its ways. Australia granted PNG independence more than thirty years ago. Two of the most successful economies of the world Singapore and (until recently) Hong Kong are ex - British colonies. Not bad! By the way, do you have a bill of sale copy for Tibet? Our Federal Government describes Huawei as just a bit more than a "telecom equipment provider" Why would that be? And in terms of our relationship with the United States, they are, and continue to be one of the leading lights of democracy in our world. Their military bases are placed by way of treaty with their host country. If China can achieve the same, no problem and no double standard.

[@sushilover5367]

@@gslim7337 awww, so u've decided to trust some report from ur elites instead of paying a visit and taking a close look for urself on that "serious threat"? hmmmm, when was the last time that ur elites lied to u? wmd in iraq? middle-class prosperity in globalization? rofl, u gullible stupid fuck tibet became a part of china long before the white colonists even found oceania and americas. all u non-indigenous ppl, get the fuck out of canada, usa, australia, and new zealand, and then u can tell the chinese what to do about tibet, alright, u double standard bitch south china sea, another topic u picked up in ur tele, lol. seriously, read a book, educate urself on the history before opening ur retarded hole

[@e.louisecoleman6644]

Beautiful music!

[@algebragirl1251]

He's got it right about the 'outrage, outrage, outrage' instead of civil discourse. Reading the WP or the New York Times, you see it. And then, the comments to articles in those publications bring it all home - you wonder if any of the readers had an education. They cannot do anything but rant and rave.

[@efremsepulveda2707]

Emocracy. Blend this with Theodore Dalrymple statement that people think that we can settle issues in five minutes in a facebook post is a toxic brew.

[@D3ADSY]

Hi, can you link the source of Theodore Dalrymple quote? I'd like to watch/read it. Thank you.

[@efremsepulveda2707]

@@D3ADSY I was paraphrasing from this article of his www.takimag.com/article/the-will-to-belief/

[@D3ADSY]

@@efremsepulveda2707 Thanks!

[@m.burgesszbikowski8049]

Efrem Sepulveda . Theodore Dalrymple, One of the best commentators, on the Human condition, bar none!

[@overtexpression2299]

1:06:37: A beautiful thing happened when John Anderson asks the audience "There are plenty of young people here tonight, do you agree with what he is saying?". No clapping or shouts of approval, most likely silent consent and nods. This is what rational and civil audience participation looks like. Can we make this a wider practice in political conversation, without the 15-second pause for audience hysterics every time we hear something which we agree with?

[@lizcross4466]

I will be forever a permanent subscriber - exceptional conversations and insights. Keep up the great work.

[@howardbabcom]

Brilliant discussion. The only disagreement is with respect to the incursion upon us of a.i. If we reach the point where such systems become autonomous and vital for running infrastructure, ala the Forbin Project, then it is game over.

[@josephrio4773]

Great discussion. Laphroaig is one of my favorites as well.

[@Laprisamata]

Leaving the EU with a no-deal would by no means be a disaster - it would neutralize the current 'negotiation-power-bias' which is in favour of the EU, which is partly responsible for the current deadlock. The transitional period is set to be until 31 December 2020 - with the option of it being extended by 1-2 years, should it be necessary.

[@SammyCee23]

Nial Ferguson and Yuval Noah Harari are the only historians I read and listen to.

[@philliphayden2727]

Why? Both are great, but there are hundreds of fantastic historians past and present. Many philosophers and even a few newspapermen are right on as well. Niall is a favorite of mine, too!

[@neomagneto84]

Now there's a debate or conversation!

[@geoffreyfield6686]

Your work is greatly appreciated. This was no exception. Wanted to also say the video production is excellent, though I might be biased on this point. Cheers sir.

[@arkadiusztrzesniewski4237]

About year ago I have read his book "Empire". It was pretty awesome read. Would you folks recommend rest of his books?

[@petersmith3953]

His one on Civilization , The West and The Rest , The Cash Nexus , The Ascent of Money , I've read lots of his books , funnily enough I'm on the political left , I do not agree with his free market outlook , well not entirely , but I find his books most interesting . I've read books written by his wife too Ayaan Hirsi Ali , again she is more on the right of politics than myself, but I like to read authors from a wide perspective.

[@martynfenton4862]

The decline in trust/faith - the final nail in the coffin may be the move from cash to digital because that can be manipulated/restricted at the press of a button. Not only that but negative interest rates will in effect then become taxation by the back door unless you spend

[@danieldietsche2954]

I believe a larger issue in today's free market, is it's no longer free... free to FAIL is something these larger corporations are often protected from. This fear of failure is a natural moderator to the conduct of the business relationship with its customers. As a lifetime conservative, and strong Trump supporter, I are with his perspective. The Republican party had become the party of global free markets, and cheap immigrant labor, without regards to the middle class workers. Also, their cowardice to stand up to the expansion of political correctness. The Democrats had also left the middle working class, to woo votes of the rising legal/illegal immigrant population, and creep toward 'democratic socialism'. Trump was stood up against these failing cheap labor trade policies, and mass immigration that was helping to feed it. He also stood up against the more leftist political correctness, and the divide between the political class, and the rest of the citizenship.

[@michaelpapp7371]

Rutherglen durif, Shiraz, vintage port, muscat and topaque

[@rannoudanames]

Great talk

[@ausforaus7617]

I married a Chinese lady and have Chinese Uni students staying in my home. One of my interests is, of course, China, history, politics, culture. I am often asked why we support America. I have long told them that we have no choice. If it hits the fan, the only possible help will come from America, and that is not guaranteed. However, it is the only chance we have because nobody in Asia likes us or would support us. They will happily use us, but do not mistake that for liking us. Australia cannot possibly defend itself without the help of America....... no matter how many submarines we have. Australia is a historical anomaly in SE Asia. Australia will be taken over either economically or militarily. I suspect, economically.

[@JohnHawkins-he7mg]

Neal really lets his hair down when he gets a buzz on. 😁

[@robertbeckler5058]

How's my favorite Australian doing today.