Stephen Kotkin on Lost in Translation: World Order & Word Order | HISPBC Ch.1

@HooverInstitution Senior Fellow Stephen Kotkin, explores the challenges of understanding and navigating the modern world order with an emphasis that language and terms used in global debates are often misleading and create false perceptions. The need to redefine and better articulate these terms, choose historical examples more wisely, and resist the temptation to adopt the tactics of adversaries is as immediately necessary as ever. Kotkin suggests that, ultimately, by understanding the true nature of power dynamics, embracing the strengths of open societies, and learning from the past, the United States will be better equipped to shape a prosperous and stable future in an increasingly complex world.
Be sure to visit The Hoover Institution at www.hoover.org/ and PolicyEd at www.policyed.org/
Check Out More from Stephen Kotkin:
Watch "The History Behind Russia's Expansionary Foreign Policy" with Stephen Kotkin here: www.policyed.org/policy-stori...
Watch "Why the West Won't Collapse" with Stephen Kotkin here:
www.policyed.org/intellection...
The opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University. © 2024 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.

[@American-In-Mykolaiv]

There is no such thing as a boring Stephen Kotkin presentation - full of historical facts and stories to bind them together. Thanks!

[@alexandrustefanescu8992]

I see Stephen Kotkin, I immediately drop everything to listen in ❤

[@tuckerbugeater]

you're easy to manipulate

[@tankergas7950]

Absolutely

[@user-oo8xp2rf1k]

Same here...

[@karasagadake]

Listening to Stephen Kotkin is like having a light switched on and the darkness vanishing.

[@MarshallMachines]

Kotkin is among the sharpest minds alive.

[@rodgerhempfing2921]

A clear thinker

[@teodorlartrist4440]

Sharpest shit

[@IndritSelimi]

Thank you Prof Kotkin. You are a global treasure. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@meinking22]

I never tire of Kotkin's wisdom.

[@AreYouCoolBro]

I see Kotkin - I click.

[@Nuance88]

The history book that Stephen Kotkin mentions is Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America by Pekka Hämäläinen. He doesn't end up saying the title, only the author.

[@63pufferfish]

Thank you.

[@SvenSteffenArndt]

Thx!

[@JamesBlevins0]

I added the author and title above, with a link to the publisher.

[@jt4401]

thank you!

[@Pdotta1]

Thank you!!!!

[@danielstavroff1535]

Strong ending with a TIMELESS Stoic statement. "The best revenge is not to be like your enemy." - Marcus Aurelius. Again, many of life's problems have been solved. We just fail to apply the lessons.

[@Yasen99]

If that’s the case, then the Atlanticist establishment should stop demonizing Trump and the MAGA movement.

[@joro8604]

Kotkin is amazing.

[@lettucesalad3560]

Stephen Kotkin is the best. I don't question that he'll say what he really believes, unlike some others.

[@telluwide5553]

Thank God we have people like Stephen Kotkin, Sarah Paine, and even Peter Zeihan (although many, due to his exploding popularity, has his critcs)....

[@Historia-sc1pi]

Zeihan is a hack. His videos at least, not familiar with his books. You'll know it when he covers something you are familiar with.

[@NewVoiceMMI]

Finally, Stephen Kotkin!

[@releasedfortitude99]

Keeping Posting Stephen Kotkin content and Ill keep watching it! LOVE KOTKIN

[@huna1950]

Been waiting a long couple of months Thanks so much Stephen

[@effexon]

I like this Kotkin. Doesnt seem to be stuck in past and old attitudes and perceptions.

[@TheRustyLM]

Was having a good day until getting this talk popped up on my feed. Now it’s an awesome day 😊

[@--Dani]

As much as I love Sec. Rice, he should be the headline 👍🏻

[@patriciakimball8150]

Rice? 👎

[@listener523]

If Sec State got to open for Kotkin then it should go down as his highest achievement.

[@considerthis7712]

Always appreciate Kotkin’s knowledge and deep evaluation of issues. ( Australia, from real the ‘Global South’).

[@shanewilson5248]

thankyou stephen , appreciate your work .for whatever reason your absense from media has caused me anguish , i had started to think you had been shut down !! . please be more vocal on the world stage ,your view of the world is imo so valuable and needs to be louder.

[@nishensemble]

I simply do not understand how this guy explains complicated things so simply all the time. Like, even his cadence is slow and easy. It's like E=MC^2 but for explaining geopolitics.

[@williambamann1845]

5 mins in and loving this so far!!

[@smlince]

ITS KOTKIN!!!

[@Cerebral.786]

Love Kotkin's sense of humor and of course his clarity and erudition. Glad he parsed all these meaningless politically invented terms being bandied about to target the Free World as an enemy....baseless as it is not supported by any evidence.

[@dangin8811]

He didn't debunk anything. He just subjectively dismissed terms that seemed to threaten his beloved American empire by giving the slightest agency to non-western peoples. "Global south" In no way did he debunk that. He just arbitrarily decided south meant south of the equator rather than generally south of Europe and North America, then personally assigned Australia to it, then objected to the thing he himself and no one else did. The definition of an irrelevant and frankly stupid nitpick. "Multipolar world" He objected to it on a moral basis, but that says nothing as to its validity as a concept describing the world. And then he claimed to be working empirically, which is a contradiction. And so on. A few minutes in and we have multiple egregiously stupid mistakes. This guy is frankly an imbecile but because he has a bit of academic charisma people think he's a genius. Also, I like how you say "meaningless politically invented terms" and in the same sentence use the phrase "Free World". That's pretty funny.

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@dangin8811 He only loves America if it's useful. When he's done using it he'll escape to Isr@el.

[@jiahan3849]

@@dangin8811 I think he makes a lot sense if .....

[@tjkhan4541]

I really appreciate the pointing to Lake / Blinken’s speech, From Containment to Enlargement. Thank you for this, Dr. Kotkin.

[@bonnieblachly5303]

What a wonderful teacher

[@maxquirk6688]

I see Kotkin I open and click like

[@andrewedris2800]

He emerged from his monastic cell. It must be Spring!🎉🎉

[@yalamer08]

Stephen Kotkin for president!!

[@Namuchat]

You love old guys moving into the WH, don't you?

[@ymma2230]

Kotkin is best, period

[@kreek22]

I listened to half of this yesterday, glanced at the comments, left. Came back today, half the comments are missing, including completely anodine comments like "what book is Kotkin referring to?" Less and less can we trust what is digitally delivered to us. The powers that mastered thought control in the pre-digital age have not lost any of their appetite for such power over minds. If they are not already better than they were at this game 30 years ago, they soon will be. The tools for offensive thought control are simply superior to those available for defense against thought control. If Kotkin were a deeper thinker, he would discuss this crucial matter.

[@costernocht]

Everything Stephen Kotkin writes is worth reading.

[@hjs9td]

Always a pleasure listening to evidence based common sense analysis.

[@friendlyinternetman5271]

First for Kotkin

[@paulmartin4168]

"Hemelinin"?

[@fabioj2000]

Hoover Institution is serious about getting to 1M subs this month. 🎉

[@ridgegameren6921]

The most compelling and intelligent status quo defender. Would love to see him debate mearsheimer.

[@blip1]

Mearsheimer is the biggest promoter.of nuclear proliferation I've ever seen 😂

[@bradcazden8624]

I finally see the conservative in Mr. Kotkin

[@franciscomachado9946]

A master class in Critical Thinking, WOW!

[@kreek22]

African talent! So much thinking.

[@curtischerry8425]

What is the name of the best book he said he read?

[@tomekjarzabek5036]

"Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America" by Pekka Hämäläinen

[@TheVeliKortez]

I believe it’s Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America by Pekka Hämäläinen

[@denniswilliams824]

Pekka Hämäläinen Indigenous Continent I think

[@paulmartin4168]

"Hemelinin"?

[@Martin-qm2lg]

@@tomekjarzabek5036next Amazon best seller!

[@MagnusElpron]

I miss hearing Kotkin talking about History and Stalin...

[@Kangenpower7]

Stephen Kotkin, a great person with lots of great information!

[@cusematt23]

This guy might be the most interesting guy in the universe

[@paularivero1878]

Great great Steve Kotkin❤❤

[@sbaumgartner9848]

It's always wonderful to our favourite professor Stephen Kotkin. Stephen - so nice to see and hear you talk about a wider subject. I love your jacket and shoes!

[@CurtOntheRadio]

Wise. Thanks.

[@julianholman7379]

he lectures like a door-to-door gadget salesman

[@rossmcconnachie4846]

Did anyone manage to pick up the title of the book and maybe the author also of the book he recommends about 20 minutes in? Something about the survival of indigenous American empires? Even using the transcript it wasn't particularly clear! Any help would be appreciated 😊

[@alejandros2191]

Amazing talk! Thanks for sharing I especially loved the first part about the notions we use

[@davidbanks4168]

Fantastic stuff.

[@ngalawena]

KOTK1N ! The GOAT

[@vectoraerialimaging774]

What a great speaker! I could listen to Stephen for days. Why can't we get men like this to run for office?

[@takeoverusa]

Thank you, Mr Kotkin & the Hoover institution for the upload. JL

[@sandrocavali9810]

Absolutely brilliant

[@user-yz1hg4ro6l]

It is always interesting to listen what Stephen Kotkin has to say

[@Martin-qm2lg]

I hope especially that both Presidential candidates watch this video, along with their supporters. Interesting to note the long influence on policy and DC Anthony Blinken has had.

[@chrisspeksnijder1717]

Thanks

[@peterpunch8136]

The essential S.Kotkin.! 🇦🇺

[@bonpsy2584]

22:01 Professor Kotkin mentions a book, "the best book I've read in a while". In case anyone is wondering: Pekka Hamalainen "Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America", published in 2022.

[@Flyrodder68]

The man is a global treasure.

[@lomotil3370]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:51 *🤔 Analyze and define terms of debate critically to avoid being constrained by imposed narratives.* 05:29 *🌐 Understanding of terms like "multi-polar world" may differ between nations, aligning with certain narratives unwittingly.* 09:40 *🌍 Two major approaches to world order: "One Worldism" (UN-centric) versus "The West" (based on shared values and institutions).* 19:01 *📚 Understanding historical forms of power (land-based vs. maritime-based) helps navigate current geopolitical dynamics.* 26:49 *🚀 The "Asian Century" is happening in the US due to immigration, suggesting openness to talent is crucial for sustained success.* 27:33 *⚔️ Kennan's advice on not emulating adversaries remains relevant in modern geopolitics.* 28:00 *🌐 Comparing China to the Soviet Union underscores the potential for fundamental clashes despite apparent differences.* 29:08 *🔥 Cold War, despite its drawbacks, is preferable to alternatives like hot war or capitulation.* 30:28 *🤔 Understanding the terms of sharing the planet with China is crucial to navigate international relations effectively.* 32:48 *🗽 Resisting emulation of autocratic practices preserves freedom and strength in competition with adversaries.* Made with HARPA AI

[@snowbirdsurfer2474]

Fans of SK would be wise to spend some time with Will Durant’s The Lessons of History. Followed by The story of civilization. I’d take a plumber well versed in these texts over any academic ignorant of them. “Study history! Study history! Study history!” W. Churchill.

[@christinayao1]

I am astonished to find my comments critical of Dr. Kotkin's speech were censored here one hour ago. It is ironic that this happened at a forum for and of intellectuals.

[@2Oldcoots]

Professor Kotkin should be Secretary of State!

[@spyrosandreopoulos5922]

Kotkin rocks!

[@nathanngumi8467]

Great lecture!

[@Namuchat]

What Stephen is hinting at when he is talking about Pygmalion is not the lonesome artist obsessed with his idea of a perfect piece of artwork. He is speaking about a culturally inspired educator - a teacher.

[@kirstinevad347]

Okay thanks. I had no idea what it meant.

[@CollectiveWest1]

Stephen Kotkin is always interesting and provocative. The distinction he draws between land and sea powers is not original, but he states it eloquently. If valid, perhaps part of the explanation for that tendency is that land power allows and requires control of the people living on the land (maybe tied to it as serfs or similar limited agency status). Such control is helped by control of specific geographical features. By contrast, sea powers thrive as networks and anyone with access to the sea and use of ships can move across the sea or create new networks - people are not limited to specific land trade routes and choke points. That requires a different economic, social and political system from land powers. That is simplistic because of course sea powers can end up controlling land areas and people (colonialism). Sea power is not inherently 'nice' but can allow and benefit from being a different system. The US has a continent but much of that is accessible via river systems so it engages with other countries via the sea and that river system, which makes the US primarily a sea power, but with the depth and resources of a land power. Britain did not cede power to the US voluntarily - Britain was impacted then bankrupted by two world wars, so had to seek US help to survive in the long term (from 1914 and especially after 1941). Adam Tooze describes that in his book 'The Deluge'. The transition would have happened anyway, but maybe later and maybe much less smoothly.

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Impressive. What a joy to be his student.

[@ansonbrooks101]

great job stephen

[@davidkantor3609]

Brilliant man who does not suffer fools

[@deanharris7149]

Amen!!!

[@donaldedward4951]

SO MANY WORDS FROM SO MANY PEOPLE. KOTKIN'S WORDS ARE MEANINGFUL. DON'T EVER MISS A KOTKIN CONTRIBUTION. I WON'T. i GET MORE THAN A COUPLE OF CHUCKLES, MUCH MORE.

[@AQuietNight]

Good stuff.

[@randomdude7384]

Could you please make a list of everything Stephen recommends in this video?

[@TheFaveteLinguis]

22:01 - what book is it? Can't find it. Need help.

[@wakkawakka7624]

Yo! Update your Stephen Kotkin Playlists Hoover!

[@marcwhite6267]

What is the 50-page speech he refers to in the video?

[@lauram2475]

Dr. Kotkin is a breath of fresh air. What is the book about indigenous people that he mentioned?

[@releasedfortitude99]

Put Kotkins name in the title for better views!

[@DamienWalter]

ooooooo new Kotkin!!

[@davidsmart2513]

Kotkin needs to do more TV

[@martinbrown9748]

What was the book Kotkin referenced at the 22 minute mark? I can't find it on Amazon.

[@EZAlbania]

Yesssssss

[@ilnasteh7d]

what is the book referred to after 22:00?

[@yeahbut3965]

Can anyone discern what history book he references @ 22 min? I've found no "Survival of the Native American Empires" by Hemalinan, Himal Lynan, Hymelinan ...

[@-dash]

16:48 So I looked it up, and apparently “Blinkin’ Blake” was a Garbage Pail Kids card 😂

[@kubakrasniewski7946]

Love

[@kevinsavo718]

I can’t find the book he recommended: Rewriting American History for You at 22:00. Anyone know what the author’s name is?

[@IlSher]

The same here! Any help from the audience please?

[@giacomomazzei6149]

Very selective use of language by Kotkin himself. The free world, which he likes as a term, unlike others that he pulls apart, included Franco’s Spain... just to make the fist example that comes my mind.

[@siquq]

Yay!

[@biuro71]

Using some advantage is not equal to hedging

[@tb8865]

From an America perspective, our "Greatest Ally" in the Middle East is doing a great job at discrediting the idea that our Order stands for humanitarian, democratic values. Or do we just carve out an exception for that particular ethnostate? At what point does something stop being hypocrisy and it becomes a refutation of the values system itself? Saying "we made mistakes" works about the past (I guess), but what about something that is happening in real time before our very eyes?

[@jason8434]

I recommend the political economy lectures by Harvard professor Roberto Mangabeira Unger, who comes from the Global South i.e. Brazil. His lectures are all available on his KZbin channel. He challenges Kotkin's idea of institutions as some sort of institutional prerequisite for a market society. What we get is an ossified version of market society that is incapable of institutional transformation.

[@bodner1]

someone can tell me the author of the native american book MrKotkin praises around min21/22 ?

[@jingus3]

🔥🔥

[@robk8463]

This was like listening to a really smart guy that had to many drinks at an open-bar.

[@scottbuchanan9426]

I've heard Kotkin say that he reads about 120 books a year on a few occasions now. How on earth is that possible? It's more than two a week! Can someone explain this to me?

[@Jeremy101Jeremiah]

Srry i cant understand wich book he talks about. the one about rewriting the american story. anyone have the title / author. ty

[@Jeremy101Jeremiah]

Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America Book by Pekka Hämäläinen i got it from part 2

[@patrickgleason2066]

What was that book? (about indigenous American empires.) Anyone.