Fareed Zakaria on the Power of Ideas, and the Rewards of Intellectual | Conversations with Tyler

Those who know Fareed Zakaria through his weekly column or CNN show may he surprised to learn he considers books the important way he can put new ideas in the world. But Fareed's original aspiration was to be an academic, and it was a chance lunch with Walter Isaacson that convinced him to apply for a job as editor of Foreign Affairs instead of accepting an assistant professorship at Harvard. His latest book, Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present is a testament to his enduring passion for ideas and his belief in the importance of classical liberalism in an age of increasing populism and authoritarianism.
Tyler sat down with Fareed to discuss what he learned from Khushwant Singh as a boy, what made his father lean towards socialism, why the Bengali intelligentsia is so left-wing, what's stuck with him from his time at an Anglican school, what's so special about visiting Amritsar, why he misses a more syncretic India, how his time at the Yale Political Union dissuaded him from politics, what he learned from Walter Isaacson and Sam Huntington, what put him off academia, how well some of his earlier writing as held up, why he's become focused on classical liberal values, whether he had reservations about becoming a TV journalist, how he's maintained a rich personal life, and more.
Recorded March 8th, 2024
Transcript and links: conversationsw...
Stay connected:
Follow us on X, IG, and Facebook: @cowenconvos
/ cowenconvos
/ cowenconvos
/ cowenconvos
Join us on Discord: / discord
conversationsw...
mercatus.org
Photo Credit: Jeremy P. Freeman, CNN

[@Jereeeeeeee]

Always learn something when I listen to Fareed

[@greggodwin2172]

Really wonderful interview!

[@tabishumaransari]

Excellent interview. Fareed is very genuine and candid.

[@orffrocks5667]

Fareed is what my people would call a mensch. Very enlightening interview.

[@JonathanLoganPDX]

This is a must listen podcast. Deeply insightful and informative and at the same time entertaining.

[@alexpaun7384]

The best interview Zakaria ever gave.

[@1080lights]

I came here for Fareed Zakaria, but this was a fantastic show. I will listen to this podcast more often.

[@lizgichora6472]

Very kind and generous with information and honesty Fareed Zakaria. Thank you for being you, as well as sharing with the world.

[@samsonnwosu464]

BRAVO Fareed!! I wish we had more of him! Fareed is the type of person that SHOULD be in the position of high leadership, but also represents the kind of reflective type of leader that the country is rapidly moving away from appreciating.. @mjsemailid --Very astute comment about the interviewer's skill and well thought-through questions as well.

[@TomMcinerney-g9b]

Both Tyler and Fareed are revealing and skilled; thanks all.

[@shantanushekharsjunerft9783]

Fareed is just astute and an awesome individual. One thing I would like to add as to why so many leaders of independent India were socialists is also the fact that India was colonized by world’s first private corporation,

[@breezeanonymous6034]

India was not colonized but created by a corporation- British East India company. But that isn't a reason to be socialist . The reason was Bengalis who were socialists(& anti white, anti west) and they put their failed ideas on 20-30 other nations in India & made whole India as a land of poverty just like Bengal. Bengalis should be taken out of media, education institutions, bureaucracy (they were made this by Brits) and sent to fix their Bengal first.

[@rhettintaipei]

This was so great. I played it for my son ( 9 years old) who is way too “ curious” about geopolitics , writing and reading. Keep up the good work. Much appreciated.

[@timothyandersson6824]

Exceptionally a unique and one of the best interview. I’m out of vocabulary to praise both of you. Kudos

[@adnanrulz]

Fantastic interview!

[@doomer238]

I love how every question is disparate!

[@AntonioRodriguez-di6qz]

Very interesting,love his CNN program ,always an insightful voice

[@TheSudeepRoy]

Another enlightened intellectual of Indian origin. When it comes to geo-politics, Fareed is the best.

[@jolness1]

Fareed is thoughtful as always. I don’t *always* agree with him, but I respect the intellectual rigor that he approaches everything with and even when I disagree, he challenges me to think.

[@markantrobus8782]

Watching from India. Very good.

[@patel.k]

Fareed is brilliant.

[@mark002s7]

Thank You

[@victoreldada7954]

very interesting, the pointed questions allowed to reveal a ton of usefull new information and knowledge to me.

[@nathanngumi8467]

Great episode!

[@xbcrcx]

Always eager to hear what Fareed has to say and what kind of offbeat question Tyler will come up with. Also like the fact that Fareed has some kind of Baked snack on his desk to munch on.

[@tresajessygeorge210]

How are we, humanity going to be modernized and moving forward... When we give importance to individuals...who have made CHANGES in the society, nation or in different parts of the world...on the basis of their RELIGIOUS, RACIAL OR CASTE IDENTITY... and celebrate on it...instead of giving importance to their IDEAS...!!!??? There is a tendency in the post independent period (war)...among all Nations that,we ought to give priority to the Suppressed society...even when the other side has equal or more better contributions...that will help to make the positive Changes ...!!! By doing so, misguided leaderships and law& order and false historical narratives are evolved...!!! That in turn did a great damage to the PSYCH of ALL...and created confusions, chaos animosity, complexes - egos of both and Identity crisis...!!! For example : We gave importance to Martin Luther King Jr. ' s Religious Title... The PASTOR... The PROTESTANT ...etc...!!! If we are using that religious identity... to make an uncivilized society to be civilized... then we are following the wrong path... Aren't we...!!!??? Since...We know today that RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST IDEAS, LAWS,AND DOCTRINES ARE THE ENEMIES OF A CIVILIZED HUMANITY...!!! We know that, THE ROOT CAUSES OF ALL POLITICAL, ECONOMICAL, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL, UNREST and HUMANITARIAN CRISIS and ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION...IS RELIGIOUS POLITICS ( here I am not talking against HEALTHY FAITH OF PEOPLE'S CHOICE )... ( The misguided RELIGIOUS HERO WORSHIPS and MARTYRDOM )...!!! THANK YOU...!!!

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Nature is so beautiful, can't see that!

[@jafarsadiq9214]

Very good interview

[@PervaizIqbal-ov7fg]

i always learn listening fareed-

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

We are not going to lose, mark it down the road

[@momchilyordanov8190]

What a smart and interesting man. Maybe they should revive the idea of Secretary of State or something... The contrast with current political frontrunners is staggering. Instead of people like him, U.S. are going to have, lets say, Jared Kushner. Just think about it. Develop them "Gaza waterfront properties", baby!

[@caballosinnombre3981]

Comforting stories for the investor class.

[@nadkarnisandeep]

3 million Muslims live in Delhi dear Fareed strange that you'd equate it with Lahore.

[@pvaish]

One of the few places where your feelings peep out. He still needs to hyphenate.

[@bennguyen1313]

Regarding the 19m mark.. It is interesting 200M+ Muslims in India (compared to 38M in Afghanistan), and you don't hear much about extremist. Would love to hear Tyler talk with Rajiv Shah!

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I don't have a time at all my friends, I am living in Haven. You live yours

[@phoebusapollo4677]

There are no ideas but in things!

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

How can we find justice in blending law?

[@jimmyand]

'the future of chip making seems to be moving to companies like nvidia' ... huh. nvidia does not make its own chips and heavily relies on tsmc. amd also went fabless 15 years ago and relies on tsmc now. not saying state planning is good but come on Fareed, do a little research here

[@donaldedward4951]

I wish Fareed had included the major cities in SCANDINAVIA also in his analysis.They are also democrases and are rated happier than those he mentioned.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

My grandparents belong to Sialkot

[@robertprawendowski2850]

⭐

[@janklaas6885]

📍54:23 2📍48:24 3📍 31:02

[@dineshkumarsnair7964]

Dear Fareed Ji.. India is not 1 country. That you missed.. It is that diversity which is holding India s minority interests safely.. Not only Muslim or Christian minority but linguistic as well other denominations.. You can move from 1 state to an another IF You feel oppressed or not getting opportunities.. Please don't miss this point..

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I let you know one more thing I love 💕 very very much every one❤

[@Bangweisg]

a❤

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Tell me the difference between words.سچ اور حق

[@jaymacpherson8167]

The honorable Fareed Zakaria is somewhat mistaken in his political elite argument, however valid per se, when referencing the US administration support for computer chip production (which is predominantly for fabrication of chips). To wit… As for Intel versus TSMC: Intel focuses on chip design while TSMC focuses on chip production (fabrication). Intel also produces chips, though not as efficiently as TSMC. If TSMC also designs chips, they are not in the category that Intel focuses upon. Further, Nvidia does not make (fabricate) chips, it strictly designs chips. While Intel has assuredly stumbled multiple times in its history, the support from the federal government is to help fabricate chips, not design them. Thus, this example does not fit Fareed’s political elite argument.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

سچ،حق

[@andrewmakin8151]

india, south africa, mexico. multiple separate institutionally recognised languages. unavoidable diversity. deep connection to place, the land, by everyone. inherently democratic, or perhaps it’s distrust of autocracy although sometimes seemingly close [let’s see how mexico goes with this …]. struggling with the main challenges of the world within in the microcosm of the country. extra-christian spirituality, notwithstanding an unavoidable central influence of christianity.

[@BingeSmartly]

Timestamp??

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Where is our lives, standing right now? Give me answer

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

My wheat crop is about to be ready to cut, then after I will not be available on anycast

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Don't worry about me, worry about yourself

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I let you one more thing I love 💕 very very much every on

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Freed please answer my question right now

[@breezeanonymous6034]

Bengalis became the 'intellectual class' of British India as Bengalis were the first nation to be colonized by Brits in South Asia, learned English first and were under 100 years longer than nations in North, north west. Bengalis spread to other nations in North, north west with British as peons, clerks as British created India spreading from South and South east to winning nations in north and North west. To this day, this is the only reason Bengalis are famous as so called intellectual. But if Bengalis are so 'clever' and 'intellectual' then Bengal region should be like Japan🤣

[@essarr1082]

If the Golden Temple is such a peaceful spiritual place, why was it the safe harbor for extremely violent terrorists, and allowed them to keep a huge armory of deadly weapons (not just kirpans) there? Such hypocrisy, expect it of Zak, disappointed in Tyler.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

They migrated in 1927 or 1929, I can make sure that

[@mesutbarsovun4341]

isnt it funny that he had just learned about how left and right labelling came into being? I mean, it is common knowledge, isnt it?

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I am not a journalist as well

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Pakistan 🇵🇰 is a haven, Don't ever think about making it hell.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

مساوات،بھائی چارہ،ہمدردی،قربانی یہ سب کہاں ملیں گی۔ اگر آپ جانتے ہو تو مجھے ضرور بتانا😂

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Truth is God! Don't you know that?

[@Mikell-h2c]

Fareed had the idea that invading Iraq was the thing to do ,not, just another book hawker

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I am not a politician

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I am not sorry about my words

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I am not an economist

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Don't see me again, if you don't

[@jaydeepdaripa7472]

Urdu is not a language of Indian Muslims. Urdu is an Indian language spoken in Deccan and gangaetic plain. It mixes up with Hindi seamlessly and what comes out of the two is a blend called Hindustani which we in the gangetic plain consider as our language. Good interview otherwise

[@cosmiceye2067]

Too much Ganga Jamuni cope here. Urdu is ABSOLUTELY a Muslim language and nothing wrong with it.

[@jaydeepdaripa7472]

@@cosmiceye2067 I see.. Muslims of India? Bengali Muslims speaks Urdu in India? Ones in Malabar? Ones in Tamil Nadu? Or it's too much nuance?

[@cosmiceye2067]

@@jaydeepdaripa7472 It's the Muslim majority language + that of Pakistan and also the language of Indian Muslim narrative. Just like 'Hindi' was Khadhiboli and Awadhi and a whole load of other dialects but still carries a uniformity for Indians and majority of Hindus being a lin llaguage.

[@breezeanonymous6034]

He also repeated another incorrect statement what people are trained to say in India. "Sikhism is a off shoot of Hinduism". Farid is not a Punjabi ethnicity. Its like a Polish commenting what Germans are. In the world, only in South Asia, countries were made on Hindu Muslim political identities. Rest of the old world countries are Europe, SE Asia, Middle East etc all are made on language/ethnicity. True statement would be Sikhism is an off shoot of Punjabi Hinduism. What do Sikhs (and Punjabi Hindus) have to do thousands of kilometres away Bangla, Tamilians etc? Nothing, except being in same country & political identity as 'Indian'. So don't lump everything under something. When Indians are trained to make these statements, they should say Sikhs are same as Punjabi Hindus. Most Sikhs are Punjabi ethnicity so they are same as Punjabi Hindus (& even Punjabi Muslims), same ethnicity but different religious tags. Look what happened when Brits put totally different ethnicities like Punjabi Muslims with Bangla Muslims in 47. It didn't work.

[@breezeanonymous6034]

@@cosmiceye2067 it was not a 'muslim' language. In 47, less than 2% of Paks spoke Urdu. Muslims from ethnicities in UP etc(same people as Farid) that created Pak imposed Urdu there. Same way, India has promoted Urdu as Muslim and Hindi as Hindu language. Both India/Pak have used, promoted and imposed Hindi/Urdu to create Hindu/Muslims nations after these countries were created as Hindu/Muslim majority by the Brits. Hindu/Muslim are not religious identities but political identities in South Asia.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

آپ لوگوں کی وجہ سے میرے کام کا ہرج ہو رہا ہے۔

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

You guys are running your country with justice. But what about us lawless?

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Yes still Islam is the solution nothing else

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Nature doesn't hate anything at all. Are you blind?

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

روٹی بندے کھا جاندی اے!😢

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Don't blend it😢

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

I am nothing

[@breezeanonymous6034]

"Sikhism is a off shoot of Hinduism" Don't think Sikhs would agree with this. Farid is not a Punjabi ethnicity. Its like a Polish commenting what Germans are. In the world, only in South Asia, countries were made on Hindu Muslim political identities. Rest of the old world Europe, SE Asia, Middle East etc all are made on language/ethnicity. True statement would be Sikhism is an off shoot of Punjabi Hinduism. What do Sikhs (and Punjabi Hindus) have to do thousands of kilometres away Bangla, Tamilians etc? Nothing, except being in same country & political identity as 'Indian'. So don't lump everything under something. When Indians are trained to make these statements, they should say Sikhs are same as Punjabi Hindus. Most Sikhs are Punjabi ethnicity so they are same as Punjabi Hindus (& even Punjabi Muslims), same ethnicity but different religious tags. Look what happened when Brits put totally different ethnicities like Punjabi Muslims with Bangla Muslims in 47. It didn't work.

[@wade2bosh]

guru nanak rejected hinduism which he was born into.

[@breezeanonymous6034]

@@wade2bosh Punjabi Hinduism. What did he have to do with 2000-3000kms away totally different ethnicities and nations like Bengalis, Dravidians or north east Burmese nations? Nothing. It is a wrong statement to say Sikhs came out of Hindus. Sikhs came out of Punjabi ethnicity Hindus. See the truth and difference. Question is, why lies are taught.

[@pvaish]

Unfortunately, you can not show your ignorance. Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, as we know it today, originated in what was known as Punjab couple of hundred years ago.

[@1080lights]

@@wade2bosh Really? The Sikh gurus took lots of stories and ideas from the upanishads and puranas of Hindu origin and just slightly changed them. You can see them in the Guru Granth Sahib.

[@muhammadnawaz6914]

Make sure I don't wanna be famous

[@crypto986]

host is very combative and natagozing. takes your focus away from guest. not great interviewer

[@SmoothSaloon]

A new low for Tyler. Who's next, Javad Zarif or Yahya Sinwar?

[@1080lights]

What the hell are you talking about?