5 Questions for Stephen Kotkin

Recorded on January 14, 2022
Stephen Kotkin is a professor of history at Princeton and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of nine works of history, including the first two volumes of his planned three-volume history of Russian power and Joseph Stalin, Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928 and Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941. The premise of this show is simple: Peter Robinson poses five questions to Dr. Kotkin: what Xi Jinping, the president of China believes; what Vladimir Putin believes; whether nuclear weapons are a deterrent in the 21st century; the chances of another American renewal; and Kotkin’s rational basis for loving the United States. It’s a fascinating conversation that delves deep into one of the country’s brightest minds.
For further information:
www.hoover.org/publications/u...
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[@praneetsinghbutran9477]

Uncommon Knowledge is probably the only place left online where sane discussions still take place. And Peter Robinson excels with every guest!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@economicsanity2895]

Wrong

[@ryanfitzpatrick6557]

Stephen Kotkin is a national treasure, and a phenomenal historian. He should be renowned more than he already is

[@JDAbelRN]

I cannot express how much I admire Peter Robinson and all the extremely qualified and articulate guests he interviews. I especially appreciate the Hoover Institution at Stanford for increasing my knowledge of world politics, cultural aspects of the world's nations, and the historical aspects of the world in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Century. The generosity of presenting these lectures on KZbin to the public is a phenomenal legacy of the Hoover Institution. Thank you, so sincerely.

[@GameFap]

I'm a simple man. I see a Kotkin video, I click.

[@andreaspahler1132]

Mr Robinson, please bring Stephen Kotkin back again soon - he is so good!

[@CrossedSabresCOD]

This man is a gem. Every time he speaks, he lays out the context and then asks rhetorical questions, which makes his conclusions so much more powerful. You almost forget that he's also one of the greatest historians of Stalin and political power.

[@JXY2019]

Peter Robinson should be the one who questions presidential candidates

[@kurtilein3]

I like the format. A format i like even more is when two people just meet and talk about a series of topics but let each other take all the time needed to make their points properly. No time control, no time pressure, no interrupting. And the very best interviewers manage to do that in an interview format.

[@thomashorn5829]

Bravo to Kotkin on his optimism on the future of America. He raised my hope that we can actually get through the problems of division we face today.

[@minz4X]

My first time hearing Dr Stephen Kotkin and I'm so glad I found another great mind to learn from. Hope millions more people will get to watch/hear this. Thank you, Peter for such a wonderful interview!

[@SW-lw6mt]

How awesome it must be to have him as a teacher. Cogent, rational and calm, we need more of this in these turbulent times.

[@joannamoore4477]

I have rewatched so much Kotkin . Finally so new stuff ❤️😍🥰

[@Rasectos]

Finally Prof. Joe Pesci is back on the program.

[@GameFap]

He needs to do a reading of the "funny like a clown" scene one day

[@baryntn41]

You're not wrong.

[@goldbrick2563]

Lmao

[@qrious786]

Quite similar sound if not the looks though similar stature.

[@wstevenson4913]

You think I'm here to amuse you ?

[@prommann1234]

8:50 I cannot help but notice, that I have kind of a similar feeling about CCP commisars at large private Chinese companies as I have about their American counterpart, the Chief Diversity,Equity and Inclusion Officer, a position with a similar function: a political commisar tasked to uphold ideological orthodoxy.

[@piercepetree7989]

Kotkin is the man!!! Can't get enough of him

[@karenabel6218]

Excellent interview. Thanks to Peter Robinson for the engaging program. Grateful that there still exists thoughtful, intelligent programming like this one.

[@miguelbaca8086]

Usually I find videos like this one or two years after they’ve been posted, but you’re telling me I’m here one hour after it was posted? That’s crazy!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Just sitting here patiently waiting for Stalin Volume 3

[@tomconservative1074]

When does it come out?

[@Sam-ej6pk]

2 years to go

[@shoofly529]

Me too!!

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

Two more years -ish. Hmm, uncle Joe is turning in the mausoleum.

[@quentinnewark2745]

It has a subtitle now, and publishing date!!!

[@douglascampbell66]

Thanks for the episode. I can listen to Stephen Kotkin for hours and hours.

[@chrishaidinyak4621]

Thank God our country has men like Stephen Kotkin.

[@fondofsauce]

Peter is the best interviewer, in the history of such an endeavor.

[@dralghuroba]

So I guess my Stephen Kotkin’s youtube loop that I get myself into every month or so just got one video longer. Amazing content. Keep it up Prof Peter you’re still the best interviewer

[@yuxinshen7740]

His answers to Qs 1 and 2 are very insightful. The rest is just American exceptionalism.

[@dipdipgoose5399]

Stephen Kotkin - What a brilliant, brilliant man! Could listen to him everyday and twice on a Sunday.

[@eoinoconnell185]

Third time watching this (in full) and always catch words of wisdom from Kotkin that I missed previously.

[@danielstavroff1535]

I couldn't wait to click my notification message to watch this. Thank you Hoover Institution!

[@yvanguez2077]

Happy of your coming back Peter. You bring a refreshing source of wisdom in our new MAD environment .

[@scienceisgod1]

Wow! There really are a few smart and reasonable people still left in this world. Glad I found them.

[@meinking22]

Fantastic interview! Dr. Kotkin's statements about fourth generational warfare were especially pertinent and his national pride is inspirational. Thank you for sharing

[@yessir8089]

So happy to see a new video with prof. Kotkin ! Thank you Uncommon knowledge.

[@craigharryman4500]

An hour well spent. Bravo.

[@EddierThanThou]

I always enjoy a sit down with Kotkin. Thanks to you both.

[@mark91345]

Boy, is it nice to have a person-to-person interview. And what a pleasure to have Stephen Kotkin!

[@narkelnaru2710]

Thank God for Stephen Kotkin. He's the only person I can listen to on the Hoover Institution's KZbin channel.

[@philipford6183]

Just wanted to to say thank you for this. Stephen Kotkin is such an interesting speaker.

[@lukecockburn1140]

Amazin! To hear from Stephen kotkin been waiting & checking regularly for a while

[@surenderbhutani3470]

An excellent dialogue. Prof Kotkin is an outstanding scholar on Russia. Prof Surender Bhutani Warsaw (Poland)

[@akp167]

I have been waiting for Joe Pesci to comment on all of this for months

[@isabellaliu8409]

I love uncommon knowledge podcast!

[@isabellaliu8409]

I agreed that’s why these evil countries look for political agents destroying not only the system, trying to change the constitution, being arrogant to rule of law, but also divide you from i within by provoking racism and spreading extreme far left ideology and deepening race conflicts. American as one should not vote for this kind of politicians!

[@valleyairsolutions3026]

Fucking guy is brilliantly simple we need 1000 more just like him right now

[@drewjackson9723]

I just now found out that this is the Peter Robinson that wrote the speech for Reagan. I’m so much more impressed with this guy now.

[@gc2696]

Check out his own account of how he got to write the Berlin Wall speech. 👏🏻👏🏻✌🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@fretnottrustingod5053]

He wrote the "tear down this wall" speech.

[@blimolhm2790]

this show has so many great episodes to watch

[@angieatwork1053]

Really?! Which speech of Reagon was written by Robinson? Would love to find out. Thanks in advance!

[@davidbowick7830]

"Stephen, you're the best show in town." You guys are good together. Great information too!

[@MrEnjoyBeats]

The table interview setting is great. For some reason I just can't listen to an online interview, the voices aren't as clear, it feels distant, you name it. It's great to have Peter Robinson sitting again at the table with the guest.

[@armenalexanian]

If I were elected President I would immediately recruit Professor Kotkin to be my most senior advisor. Failure to employ his wisdom is a matter of national security.

[@temijinkahn511]

would be interesting to have a follow up interview to talk about the current state of Russia with the war in Ukraine.

[@joethegeographer]

Dr. Kotkin's 1st volume of his Stalin biography is excellent! I'm working through the 2nd volume, equally good so far; both demonstrate that Dr. Kotkin is very well read in the appropriate topics.

[@defective6811]

Ive loved all of the material I've seen from the Hoover Institution thus far, but this conversation inspires me to feel responsible for the future of freedom and democracy. It inspires me to put in the work to empower myself and those within my reach to actuate a difference, rather than dream of one.

[@loreyao1515]

Absolutely fascinating. I learned so much!

[@randomcommenteronyoutube1055]

Stephen Kotkin, you are an American legend. Thank you for everything you do.

[@tvintx9741]

Absolutely phenomenal interview!

[@stavrosvenizelos610]

Watching this extremely interesting interview after February 24th, one has to admit that no one, not even Mr. Kotkin, could guess that Russia would eventually invade Ukraine

[@--Dani]

Always enjoy Peter Robinson, great interviews, put him and Dr. Stephen Kotkin together and amazing insights come, not to mention his unparalleled books. Thanks Hoover, cant believe things like this are free, have to also give a mention to VD Hanson as well.👍

[@simongraham2516]

Finally, this conversation was overdue. Been searching for Stephen Kotkin interviews and podcasts for months but nothing new.

[@TobyFan321]

9:32 Insert laugh track

[@markhamburger5587]

"It was foreseeable. It happened before..." Kotkin is so right!

[@PresterMike]

Love to see you back Mr Robinson! Thank you for all that you do. Great talk as always

[@plankro8]

This was great, as usual Steven is captivating and deliciously well informed, thanks guys I love youse young punks!

[@looklao]

I would like to see the debate between Mr. Stephen Kotkin and Mr. kishore Muhabani on the world’s views. Specially on the west and China.

[@DPMConnacht]

Great discussion. I'd have loved to have had a teacher like Professor Kotkin. He kind of missed out on the Russian invasion of Ukraine though. As of now Russia run into a lot of trouble. Putin's partial conscription/mobilization isn't going well in Russia and his military is retreating in eastern Ukraine.

[@frankgentile7750]

That was an amazing interview Thank you so much for interviewing Stephen Kotkin .

[@yuanhaochue2889]

I must agree that this Guest is a realistic historian with apt historical n modern geopolitical perspectives.. ... even more he us so patient n polite to narrate his logics with such confidence n stature.. Thank u for bringing him in ...

[@jamaaldaynitelong8367]

We need more people like him in Washington.

[@jameslippincott7440]

Thank you for uploading!

[@namehimhuman5500]

Greetings from Russia! I watch every Kotkin video I see, his insights are incredible.

[@ouimetco]

Really appreciate Peter Robinson.

[@dongaetano3687]

Finished the interview. Brilliant from start to finish. thanks much.

[@friendlyfire7861]

Yup, 5 questions over the course of an hour is about right for Peter.

[@xDooksx]

We are blessed to have this information available to us. Thanks Hoover institute.

[@falldog9]

Thank you for making this content. Two incredible minds.

[@wolkenpower]

Dr. Kotkin, please work faster and finish the 3rd volume, some of us have been waiting anxiously for years. This is emotional abuse.

[@osraneslipy]

This is the best analysis of what we are dealing with today that I have ever seen. Many thanks for making this discussion possible and publicly available.

[@mikelezcurra810]

Shouldn't Mr Kotkin be at home finishing his third Stalin volume??

[@cato451]

Great interview. Very insightful. Communism always fails.

[@TheLewisLegend]

I have been waiting for a new Stephen looking update!

[@alexball7407]

absolutely superb dialogue, let us hope these people are making, or advising in, foreign policy decisions

[@jonikelly3905]

Brilliant conversation, thank you!!

[@DJDarkrobe]

Great interview, thanks for doing this and having not only great thought out questions but great perspectives on today's current events.

[@Daveposting]

I love kotkin am very excited for his next book

[@freeheeler09]

Great interview!

[@veliatorrez6523]

This was great wish I could get the written word of this interview on paper so I could read it. Never know if u tube will keep it. Very educational for me.

[@tomshea8229]

Thank you so much. Education, knowledge is power.

[@jimgregory6185]

Great discussion. Thank you. 😊

[@mathieuguillet4036]

Great conversation! Thank you.

[@janemackenzie6061]

Another excellent, intriguing, rational, illuminating conversation, Peter and Stephen! I could only wish the people who need to heed the relevance of what you discussed could absorb and act upon the truths revealed. There was so much to digest that demands attention at this intersection of ideologies, policies and agendas, but most of all personalities and contrasts, moods and methodologies! The challenge is in the how to go about steering the great ship, America, away from the shoals and into the deep clear channel of nonobstructive positive thinking and effective collaborative action. Perhaps the natural attrition that appears to be taking place around the corner and the fallout/benefits from replacements will offer a satisfactory degree of compromise in principles, morals and values better aligned to steer the ship(s) of State. Steer onward, Patriots!! Thank you for enlightening us with your wisdom, knowledge, and excellent reflections this day!!🌍🌎🌏🚜🚛🚚🛻🚙🚘🇨🇦🇺🇲🏆🏆🏅🏅

[@Cartersvillain]

Waiting to see Peter on JRE already

[@Fahdalrabeayah]

I watched it three times What an amazing interview Thanxxxxx

[@noname123412]

thank you for the fascinating interview

[@roubika1922]

Excellent clarification of the current situation in the world . Highly informative Most appreciated with thanks

[@hogusantos8511]

Thank you for your analysis, sir.

[@jacklucas7265]

Brilliant!

[@janiekcarney5482]

These conversations are wonderful.

[@wujasmarecki]

Briliant. Thank you very much!

[@thomasmazzola4760]

Brilliant discussion. Thank you!!

[@sisterwrath1773]

Great interview!!! Loved Mr. Kotkin's answers!!!But what a well of knowledge!!! Thank you!

[@tarek9513]

Explained simply with such accuracy.

[@selocan469]

I love Uncommon Knowledge and Peter Robinson, he is doing a great job. I watched multiple session with very fine guests. Peter Robinson is a great host, he read material about or event written by the quest, knows the guest, askes fine questions and most importantly listens. Though it was a delight to watch those until now, this one took the cake. It was exquisite to watch this interview with Stephen Kotkin. I believe it was so for Peter Robinson as well since I did not see him that silent and listening to such extent before

[@Blake-Urizen]

58:08 Exactly! Ironically, professional anti-elitists do not decry athletic programs, music programs, etc, but they do, for some unfathomable reason, denigrate the principle of building systems of educational opportunity that unearth and polish gems.

[@granttao7504]

Dear Professor Kothin: but actually, It is not that China fears US but the opposite now.

[@acarbonari]

Thank you!

[@acceptingWhatIS]

utterly brilliant - thank you!