The World In 2024 With Niall Ferguson: Crisis, Conflict And The New Axis of Evil

[@Intelligence-Squared]

If you want to attend events like this one with Niall Ferguson just visit our 'What's On' page on the Intelligence Squared website to see what's coming up!

[@bearowen5480]

Until there is a sincerely demonstrative change in the clearly stated modus vivendi of the "Palestinians" that their only acceptable goal is a Palestinian state in the entirety of Israel as it exists today, the Israelis will never countenance a Palestinian state anywhere near their borders. It's entirely clear that what the Israelis have repeatedly offered in the past, a two state solution with Palestine constituted in Gaza and the West Bank, will never be acceptable to the Arabs. After October 7th, it will never be acceptable to the Israelis either. For the Palestinians, peaceful coexistence with Israel occupying what they fanatically claim to be their land is anathema. As long as the corrupt, third world-dominated UN holds out the impossible hope of "the right of return" to the thoroughly radicalized Arab masses, they will never compromise their objective of Jewish anihilation and the total removal of the Jewish state "from the river to the sea".

[@bearowen5480]

Niall, Isn't a crucially important difference between the Scott's and the Palestinians the fact that the Scotts were living on their own ancestral home ground with their own tribal culture and economy, and the Palestinians never were an indigenous culture in a land that never existed as a geopolitical entity except on a map briefly drawn by the British Foreign Office as a theoretical "mandate" for 30 years?

[@flashgordon6670]

It’s more complicated than that.

[@JosephHeavey]

No way Jose put myself through another performance like that

[@elsjeeastaugh1998]

Omg once was enough thank you

[@findingthereal9052]

I’d love to get Niall Ferguson in a debate with John Mearsheimer, so many of their current talking points are drawing completely opposite conclusions about Ukraine and Gaza.

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

​@@Dsaesexactly! This guy is way to biased on the matter of Israël. But he is a member of the Hoover institute wich has big jewish donors and is a verry neo con minded "club".

[@steveurquell3031]

@@Dsaes Lol hell no. Mearsheimer is dead right on Gaza, but he is absurd on Ukraine

[@tomk8729]

@@Dsaes Mearscheimer is a balloon. Talkes constant hot air.

[@BlissBlessHappiness]

People think that the one they already a priori agree with is right...

[@domerame5913]

@@Dsaes mearsheimer is a half-baked youtube academic

[@guystevenson7474]

Whether you agree or disagree with Professor Ferguson, he has the right to express his opinion. Long live academic freedom and free speech. He raises important questions about the DEI movement ideology that insists both are null and void if you happen to be talking about a group deemed as “oppressed” at some stage in history.

[@italnsd]

Long live academic freedom and free speech indeed. Not only referred to those positions that have never been in danger of being silenced, though.

[@gingerkilkus]

I think we are too obsessed about the economy crashing. In the right sense, the economy never crashes. It just undergoes cycles, and almost always recovers. So I really don't care what the predictions are. I just want to grow my portfolio. I read that people are pulling in massive profits despite the downturn. Any tips on how they do it?

[@williamDonaldson432]

I think it's the professionals and those who use their services that are really pulling in the big money right now. There are really advisors that can help you achieve very consistent growth. I have a friend who pulled in more than $50k profit within three months. So you just have to make some research and get one who fits your fin-goal.

[@Franklin-gq4si]

The market will always recover. The goal is to find quality stocks with long term potential. It's hard for the average Joe to do this, because it involves following a lot of industry news, following up with earnings, etc. It's easier to invest through an advisor who knows how stuff works, and make rocket returns.

[@BernardFrederick-tk7un]

Investing in quality stocks with long-term potential is a good strategy, but it can be challenging for the average person to do this on their own. Keeping up with industry news and earnings can be time-consuming and difficult. That's why it's easier to work with an advisor who can help you make informed decisions and potentially achieve high returns.

[@foreverlaura-fq4eu]

@@BernardFrederick-tk7un my partner’s been considering going the same route, could you share more info please on the advisor that guides you

[@BernardFrederick-tk7un]

Annette Marie Holt is the licensed adviser I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with to set up an appointment.

[@jczartoryski]

"You are interrupting me a little more than is usual for this format." 'Nuff said.

[@RBrangam]

Horrible man - and the audience applauded - who are these people?

[@MartinCanada]

What proportion of the audience (on the day and subsequently on-line) turned up to hear what Niall Ferguson had to say? And what proportion had ever heard of the hostess (who didn't have the grace to introduce herself) before this event? How many good books has she written? Cheers.

[@jusokaminic1832]

@@MartinCanadaI just bought one of his books, but luckily did not read it yet. Just throw the book into rubbish bean. No need to read anything from him after watching this “ intellectual masturbation” in this interview.

[@pedazodetorpedo]

​@@jusokaminic1832what's a rubbish bean?

[@vz6365]

@@jusokaminic1832not an intellectual way to treat ideas you don’t like, nor a smart way to treat the money you spent.

[@danecjensen]

Chapters (Powered by ChapterMe) - 00:00 - Discussing Bobby Kennedys Chinese curse, optimism in interesting times 01:52 - Intelligence halved as I descend into dotage 06:30 - Cold War avoided World War III, avoided Armageddon 07:34 - World War 1914 Unhelpful worry, George Orwells prediction of peace 09:52 - Israels response to terror attacks Tremendous battle 12:51 - Israelis remain politically divided but socially united against Iran 13:47 - Israeli society united against Hamas 15:44 - Israels right to defend itself against Iran, reconciliation with Arab states 18:30 - Key warning IsraelSaudi rapprochement derails Palestinian future 19:26 - Israels strategic advantage over Iran and Hezbollah 20:51 - A twostate solution is less likely now than it was before October 22:27 - Irans weak position, sanctions, and ordinary Iranians make isolation inevitable 23:43 - Optimistic about prospects for Middle East peace, RussiaUkraine relations 27:30 - Former Secretary of State John Kerry explains US policy in Ukraine 32:18 - Lawmakers support for aid to Ukraine shows confrontational intelligence, isolationists fall 34:02 - Trump unlikely to win reelection, hawkish staff likely 38:58 - Vladimir Putins concern for Cold War, Trumps Chinabased strategy 42:02 - China overtakes United States as manufacturing power 45:21 - Ronald Reagans handling of the Soviet Union in the 1980s 48:06 - Chinese President Xi Jinpings strategy for Taiwan showdown 51:00 - Stanford history department refused to hire conservative professor 53:10 - Equity, inclusion at Harvard, no due process 53:29 - British universities and schools should heed warnings about plagiarism 53:50 - Fastforward to 202324 and Harvards laughing stock 56:27 - Future of Palestine Israel or PLO 58:54 - World War II hero Henry Kissinger advised Ukraine to negotiate with Russia 01:01:17 - Henry Kissingers interventions in Ukraine 01:02:32 - Negotiations will not happen until after election 01:05:07 - Scottish history ungovernable, dangerous, violent, transformed 01:08:35 - There are no real historical world states 01:09:54 - Brexit Britains place in the world 01:10:35 - Historians journey from PhD to book launch 01:13:36 - Brexit was an unserious economic program 01:16:12 - Britains economic and political disadvantage 01:20:58 - British academia beyond the elite crisis 01:22:50 - Israels actions in Gaza were successful, but not perfect 01:27:01 - World War Two veteran Christian Jass warbyhissepse Hell 01:29:38 - Well, chew over that

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

Thx

[@LlyleHunter]

I think that one of the most important statements that he made was made between 17:20-18:00

[@flaviomasitas]

Thank you.

[@constanshaviland1271]

Very much appreciated!

[@stevenlightfoot6479]

His comments on Scotland are correct and perfect and accurate. I am a Canadian and most of my ancestors are Scottish and Scots are amazing and their history of violence and innovation and pragmatism is second to none in the world.

[@kennethmarshall306]

Yes. The Scots are a bunch of hooligans

[@alsoascot02]

I am a Scot and I live in Scotland and I profoundly disagree. Sorry but I feel my opinion should maybe hold weight. Professor Ferguson says in the video that today outside London the UK is increasingly poor. The provincial UK has always been poorer and a big part of why that is the Westminster system. Well some of us Scots see that we can help to change this endemic situation only by breaking the power of London over the UK. This can be done only by radical change of Westminster or breaking up the UK. Thing is because of the Westminster system radical change of the Westminster system isn't going to happen. So the UK needs to break up if it's provinces are to free themselves from London domination. Unlike with EU membership Scotland cannot legally call a vote anytime it wants if it feels the UK is failing it. So again the Westminster system gets to rumble on unchallenged.

[@markusd.7409]

The Jews (although no nationality) certainly hold up

[@randallgvideos]

Thankfully their best all came to Canada 150 years ago!

[@MrPhenomenomenom]

I feel Scotland and the UK have links both culturally and historically and they both speak the same language. You can't really say the same about Israel and Palestine. It is also worth noting Scotland opted into union (they went bankrupt after trying to colonise Panama, so union was their chance at empire), something I doubt the Palestinians would want with regards to Israel - it would have to be coerced, which always results in violence.

[@jsilvacuevas]

As always, brave and astonishing!! Niall, BRAVO!

[@EduardoMariutti]

The best

[@hopaideia]

The interviewer should be aware that people came to listen to Ferguson, not her, and that when there is no reason to interrupt or ask a question, it is better to restrain herself and not do it.

[@captainreza1]

Wow! Ferguson’s narration of “danger” and “evil” makes me wonder if he is really a scholar of politics and economics, or a paid academic mercenary hired by the elites! He could have a better assessment of the developing crises only if he changed his “perspective”, something which is expected to have an “objective” analysis.

[@Ghellia]

He’s obviously a propagandist

[@jonnybinder]

I was also thinking he didn't sound at all unbiased or objective

[@bradleywilkinson4246]

Or he is far better educated than you, knows far more on the subjects than you, and spends his time traveling around the world and speaking to the governments and people on the ground. I’d say that gives him more clout than someone who doesn’t agree with him and accuses him of being hired by the elites. You’ve clearly not liked what he said, try doing further research into what he’s said and see if you can produce counter facts to his. Post them here when you do👍

[@captainreza1]

@@bradleywilkinson4246 no he is not. And these issues are not something you can learn through “education” or travel; you have to “live” it; and he did not! I did. And by the way do not confuse education with wisdom or “learning”. Education makes you “educated” not “smart”. He is simply a businessman dressed as an intellectual.

[@waterkingdavid]

​@@bradleywilkinson4246As the other guy said you don't learn about things purely by reading (and just what you like to read especially. Ferguson just isn't a real person. He's a kind of caricature and not even caricature of anything that can even be named. An empty head saying nothing about nothing.

[@StefanMochnacki]

48:20 What follows is the best and most passionate defence of academic freedom, and the university as we knew it, that I have heard. Brilliant! The whole conversation is terrific.

[@rigelb9025]

Simply put : Yes.

[@henryelectronics]

Sounded to me like a rant from a bitter old man who was rejected by Harvard 🤷‍♂️

[@HarryKuloh]

​@@henryelectronicsyour jealousy is showing

[@fraserct533]

Be good to see Niall debate this with John Mierschimer, or someone similar with opposing views. I generally agree with what Niall says here, but would like to see it tested by debate.

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

In a debate he would lose on many points especially about Israël.

[@xtrajently]

It's amazing people take a charlatan like Mierschimer seriously. In my opinion, it's only possible if one has minimal knowledge of the topic at hand.

[@jimluebke3869]

I'd love to see Ferguson, Mierschimer, Walter Russell Mead, and Peter Zeihan on the same stage talking about this.

[@fastingman4726]

@@xtrajentlylol Mearsheimer would rag doll Ferguson just like he did with Piers Morgan.

[@fraserct533]

@@The.world.has.gone.crazy... Which points do you think he'd loose on & why?

[@DeltaFoxtrot5190]

Thanks!

[@richardyates7280]

Nial, Brexit wasn't about economics (I voted remain). Economic arguments gained no traction among brexiters I spoke to.

[@garethjones7677]

but the consequences are...

[@73elephants]

Economic considerations will _always_ emerge, sooner or later, in _any_ regime.

[@Boababa-fn3mr]

The roots of it certainly had an economic element, decades of bad policy screwed many people who voted leave.

[@sonjak8265]

Why did you want to remain in the fascist EU?

[@michaelmccomb2594]

Niall voted remain too

[@martinoconserva9718]

Niall Ferguson's parabolic curve - as an intellectual and historian - is a good parameter for measuring the decline of the Western civilization.

[@gordonferries-scott7857]

I say old chap, jolly whacko. An intellectual AND historian? Well, I never. The level of self congratulatory twaddle found in so many of the comments posted, bears testimony to the innate arrogance of the conservative mindset and world view.

[@VancouverInvestor]

Deep...

[@Withnail1969]

I can't believe the lies and crap he spouts.

[@jimwickham9205]

@@Withnail1969 - please cite one or two?

[@GlobalShutterNY]

Not sure which way the parabola you are discussing is pointed- but right now - he is at a peak and exponentially accelerating up IMHO - sane intelligent informed common sense!

[@Eged282]

“Not everyone gets to have a state, and the Palestinians blew it!” You really expect Israel to reward the Palestinians with a state after October 7??

[@RamSadeh]

And after offering them the Gaza Strip-a historical JEWISH land to establish their own Singapore- a dream state= pulling and uprooting Jewish towns- and them building for 18 years terror tunnels and sending rockets kidnapping people even before 7/10.. what an utter nerve and antisemite one has to be to offer these butchers another state- all along whilst they're holding 100 plus Jewish hostages for 9 months... disgusting indeed!

[@dangin8811]

They won't have the chance to 'reward' anything. Israel isn't going to last and the Palestinians will win their state by their own efforts.

[@purujitparashar4642]

Crazy

[@subhasisjoshi8135]

They had no such idea even before that.

[@fjordhellas4077]

@@Eged282 what a twisted view you got! a reflection of our lost and arrogant Western world!Britain and the Christian evangelicals nurtured Zionism, a constructed colonialist ideology of the late 19th century that used my religion ( Judaism) to colonize Palestine and displace millions of Palestinians. The thing is the Palestinians refuse to disappear and remain in the shadow like our Native Americans, they chose instead to fight for their land and identity that was stolen by colonialist Europeans who happen to be Jews. The Zionists have been as brutal as the Nazis and the whole world has witnessed it while our so called Democratic Western nations have been looking the other way! I must say, the best way to learn about the Palestinian Tragedy is by reading remarkable Israeli historians like Shlomo Sand, Ilan Pappé, Avi Shlaim or read the Israeli daily the Haaretz’s Gideon Levy and Amira Haas. The very use of antisemitism is so laughable as the Zionists are the number one most antisemites since they’ve been busy wiping out the Palestinians who are the first Semites and original Israelites according to many Israeli historians starting with Shlomo Sand’s best seller ‘The Invention of the Land of Israel’. A Scandinavian, a German or a Polish …. who happens to be a Jew, can’t claim to be a Semite just because our religion is, then that would make all Christians Semites just because their religion is… the Israeli historian Avi Shlaim was one of the first ones to bring up the issue of how Israel has been the most antisemitic country in the world by committing massacres against the Native Semites of Palestine. Another interesting example is how racist are the Ashkenaze Israelis toward Mizrahi or Arab Jews. Israel is a disgraceful country that doesn’t represent all Jews!

[@Branch7ShuZhi]

Niall Ferguson has suggested that the threat China poses to the US might be exaggerated, offering a different perspective on the US-China rivalry', Tue, Nov 10 2020. Good idea to postulate that time will change everything. Vietnam war and its political and economical developments after the defect of US is a case in point. Thus, it is best that intervention by war be avoided and war is truly ungodly and unwise.

[@alexaiz7521]

There is a difference bettwin defiting adversary and occpying it or removing capacity by infrastructure and recorce damade. All need to be delt differently with difrent lvl of commitment and involvement.

[@kirkhoo7456]

That speech does not sell well, and Ferguson is quick to adapt. He is very clever!

[@davidgray3321]

Coming from the Scottish diaspora it is heartening to hear a sensible intelligent Scott of the old school, not just obsessing about independence but with plenty to say of real use. This sort of Scot does exist today, and they have had a huge disproportionately large influence on the world.

[@Sawasdeekat]

He clearly makes some good points but it's easy to like one thing he says and then think the rest must be correct. I found myself agreeing with 60% of his conclusions.

[@08016بوب]

Interesting to see so many people appreciating a Brit for the Middle East

[@climacus7118]

The voice of sanity, truth and common sense, calling the absurdities of woke identity politics and the enemies of free speech.

[@asd94623]

No woke here, I think you might feel more comfortable with his statements, which us fine, but in terms of substance, he doesn't provides any, which is incredible for an hour and a half... Truth be told, it felt like the old uncle that talks about his political views not probiding any proof or justification and goes on and on over a supposed "thruth" that he nevers proofs why is truth..... Extremely disappointed for this type of talk to be call intellectual...

[@frankagliotti3626]

Thank you for an exceptional and insightful conversation from Niall Ferguson.

[@andrewjordan4193]

At 1:11 Ferguson explains why he thinks Brexit was a very bad idea. I remember reading his very pro Remain piece to this effect in the Sunday Times just before the 2016 referendum. I also remember the pieces he wrote in the Mail and Times not long after the result in which he said he had been wrong and now supported Leave. So from this interview it appears he has done a double U-turn. A person is entitled to change their mind (even twice in a relatively short space of time), but it would be good if Ferguson had the courage to admit that he has not been consistent.

[@SorenHume]

You must fundamentally confuse the reasons for pursuing truth. The aim is not and was never absolute consistency. Even to achieve absolute consistency tells you nothing about the truth of the content. “When the facts change, madam, so do my opinions. What is it that you do?”

[@johnmartin4233]

​@SorenHume That is true except that nothing about the facts have changed since the vote. I find it hard to believe that Britain would be seeing record economic growth if it had remained in the EU seeing as EU GDP growth has been lower than Britain's for many years now. I would like to see Ferguson address that point.

[@andrewjordan4193]

@@johnmartin4233 I'm not sure if you mean average EU growth or Eurozone growth; in either case what you say is wrong if you look at GDP per capita: the only measure that is meaningful. Economy A can achieve a higher level of growth than economy B over a period of years if, keeping everything else equal, economy A experiences higher levels of immigration. That is what has happend to the UK. Indeed, since the 2016 referendum immigration (prinicpally from countries outside of Europe, such as Nigeria) has been very high indeed. However, even if this were not the case it would not in itself mean that leaving the EU (and in particular the single market) had no detrimental effect on the UK economy. The projections of a hit to overall GDP (of around 4 % over 15 years compared to where we would have been had we remained) has so far proved to be spot on. That amounts to some 100 billion Sterling in lost wealth each and every year. Look for example, at inward investment. It fell materially after the referendum and has not recovered.

[@johnmartin4233]

@@andrewjordan4193 EU GDP growth increase from 2016 to 2022 was 1.4%, UK GDP growth from 2016 to 2022 was 2.4%. (The lastest available data set) My source is the World Bank's economic data. Do you have a different source that shows the EU growing faster than the UK over the same period? I would like to see it if so. I just find that whatever arguments the remainers dream up. It still just seems ludicrous to suggest the UK would have grown faster while in the EU based on this data.

[@andrewjordan4193]

@@johnmartin4233 Sorry, but you haven't read what I wrote above. GDP "PER CAPITA". Economy A can achieve a faster overall growth rate than economy B, but GDP PER CAPITA can be lower than in economy B, or even fall. This why the referendum was such a disaster. Not enough people understand basic economic concepts. China has a much much bigger GDP than the UK, but its GDP PER CAPITA is much much smaller. The only sensible comparison is on a GDP PER CAPITA basis, especially if one of the comparator economies has experienced high levels of immigration. Which is most definitely the case with the UK. This isn't some "remainer" argument. Any sane economist would tell you the same.

[@falldog9]

Great stuff shutting her down. He’s brilliant.

[@rigelb9025]

Man, you can tell this guy's been swimming in woke-infested waters for a solid decade and has had to learn how to handle the sharks of modern academia if he was ever to survive (which apparently he did, and with flying colours.) Rule #1 : When caught in a Think Tank, never drop an ounce of doubt, always remain steadfast in your position, and whatever you do, never show any display of pandering, not even for a second - for the Great Woke Shark is a top predator, and can easily spot the slightest sign of compliance from more than ten thousand miles away. He's thriving.

[@aviramvijh]

I have been a senior executive at private companies and can endorse that DEI is hell.

[@NoToobForYou]

I don't think it's a coincidence dei is defined as "a god." Who is the god of hell?

[@JoeHacobian]

Maybe it is cosmic justice, a punishment for the pro-genocidal ways of the west. Who are we to contest the universe balancing itself out. After all, equality of access from the privileged perspective, feels like oppression. Well Tough, the global south is blooming and the west doesn’t get to be god anymore.

[@rigelb9025]

@@NoToobForYou In Greek mythology, you've got Hades as lord of the Underworld (the Roman avatar of which, I believe, is Uranus). Now if you move from Olympus to Valhalla, the goddess of death was called Hel, a black/white hybrid snake-woman with tentacles and a loyal ravenous warg curled by her side.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

Didn't. Earn. It.

[@phenanrithe]

Only in two cases: 1) you implement it very badly by inexperience, or 2) you're more comfortable with exclusion and inequity (which is still the case of many people).

[@tomk8729]

To the organisers, PLEASE PLEASE extract the 5 mins or so from just below 51mins, it deserves to go viral. Bravo Prof Ferguson.

[@getstarted7168]

I totally agree, 51 min. and beyond was great. Does deserve to go viral!

[@59Gretsch]

With his logic and confidence you can understand why Britain no longer has an empire. Have they ever been in a recent military campaign that has worked out well? Just the way he dismissed the threat of a nuclear conflict and how easily things can spin out of control is startling.

[@advocate1563]

Great to hear a different perspective on this topic. Big fan of Niall Ferguson. Never miss Good Fellows.

[@thecomment9489]

Big fan of propaganda?

[@MrBAchompBAchomp]

Different perspective how? Do you not turn on corporate media ever?

[@michaelmccomb2594]

@@thecomment9489propaganda in service of what?

[@wolfbirk8295]

​@@michaelmccomb2594in service: to keep US people stupid..? But many are not...?

[@michaelmccomb2594]

@@MrBAchompBAchomp he does take contrarian stances on some issues. (1)He became well known because he wrote a book about why Britain should not have entered WW1. (2) He believes hyper inflation in Germany during the 1920s, was due to poor economic policy, not due to the Treaty of Versailles. (3) Despite being a Neo-Con, he’s very open about calling the US an Empire with an imperial foreign policy.

[@lizgichora6472]

Historical Facts that make us Wise today as we prepare for tomorrow. Thank you Niall Ferguson.

[@04eire]

great point about Palestine, Scotland, and statehood and it's responsibilities. Thank you for that.

[@williamtyndale1402]

Anyone who reads his book The Square and the Tower will quickly realise he's an acolyete of the system and the elites

[@richardwillford2418]

Maybe you should read again.

[@rigelb9025]

Well to be fair, I don't think he ever claimed he wasn't, nor is he trying very hard to hide it.

[@crhu319]

42:20 Chinas manufacturing value added is 2x that of USA and rising.

[@grannyannie2948]

Living in the Pacific our msm reports events that don't seem to be known outside this region and the internet doesn't like spreading. It's not just Taiwan at risk.

[@paulyoung4422]

Only because the wages are low.

[@omajonathan9928]

X5 of the us but 2x of that of combined West.

[@mikem668]

The Scots had a joke when David Hume moved to London. They said the IQ of both countries went up. As an American whose ancestors left Scotland for America 200+ years before Ferguson, I can do without his "useful idiots" comment. I also know one of those key states way better than Ferguson. That said, we come to this discussion to hear his opinions as an historian. I have no idea who the interviewer is and don’t care. I don’t even find Ferguson persuasive, but it's worth thinking about his ideas even if you reject them. For example. He's right that not every people gets a nation. He neglects to mention that Ukraine’s international borders are artificial, an artifact of Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union. Those borders include many areas and people who never considered themselves Ukrainian. Including some of my relatives by marriage who were born there. This connects to Scotland. If I returned to my ancestral homeland, there's zero chance I'd want to ruled by the clown show in England. I wonder when the UK break apart.

[@itsme-nt6yu]

Niall is too idealistic by suggesting that China could collapse if US just sits here and wait. Also Niall's analogy is twisted. If "not everybody gets to have a state" is applicable to Palestine, is it also applicable to Taiwan?

[@dianaandandrewreinhard3735]

Taiwan already has a state-actually conceived before the PRC. And they did not establish their state on mainland China. However the Kurds, despite having their own language and culture and areas where they lived for hundreds of years, do not have a state, however much they deserve one. Please note that Niall did Not say the Palestinians don’t deserve a state; he said they blew it. The Palestinians are also the only would-be nation that claims the entire territory of another country as its own. The map of “Palestine” in PA headquarters in Ramallah is a map of Mandatory Palestine.

[@tb8865]

@@dianaandandrewreinhard3735 I think we can cut the Palestinians some slack, given it USED to be their country. Until another group came along and claimed it for themselves.

[@mythones.b7]

palestines state occupied by israel.. this is the truth.

[@markspectre1234]

@@tb8865 that never happened though

[@xxy5121]

Taiwan is not a real country yet, even according to US standard. ..

[@arthurd6495]

"You're interrupting me rather more than I think is needed in this early stage of the conversation" daaaaang. I love Niall.

[@janlang8605]

Absolutely splendid

[@Trinitypater]

At last a sensible man. I always refrain from watching videos nowadays. Im so happy I was brave enough to get to know and listen to this man.

[@All4thaCash]

"Brave".... jesus christ this generation is weak.

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

​@@All4thaCash That's why humanity is begging for another deadly viral pandemic. 😮😊😅

[@eureka168]

I used to enjoy Ferguson's books. But, I do not have the enjoyment anymore with his recent books.

[@nickjolliffe8118]

I just reread War of the World, it was so full of judgemental opinions. No dispassion.

[@AngloSaxonViking]

He is Anti-Anglo

[@chrisschene8301]

I am a USAF veteran of the 1973 war. We did participate regardless of what you read in history books

[@wapiti3750]

That Ferguson fellow is certifiably brilliant. The woke American universities that refused his services have squandered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve their schools.

[@johannesbakker4330]

What precisely do you mean by "the woke American universities"? Which universities would those be? (Maybe you know all the details.) What is your operational definitioin of a "woke university"? Of "woke" individuals or small groups? It all sjound a bit vague to me. @ProfHansBakker

[@wapiti3750]

​@@johannesbakker4330 By "woke" I mean far-left liberal universities who won't hire anyone who even smells like a conservative.

[@trinleywangmo]

@@johannesbakker4330 I thought it was code for "black"... but I've lived abroad for a long time. I'm not up on teh "lingua franca" of conservative Americans.

[@rorywilson656]

I'm at 14 minutes and starting to find this difficult to listen to, but its important to keep an open mind and at least listen to an opposing view...

[@Gio.761]

Not clear what is trying to say y this guy’ everything for is impossible

[@tomasina10]

Good for you ! This is NOT some guy , this is an extremely well respected professor of history that has taught worldwide . If you are more educated and experienced than that let’s hear your opinions ? We can’t learn anything if We won’t listen to educated individuals …signed an old history teacher

[@friedhelmschroter8124]

I had same feeling (difficult to listen to) until about 20 minutes. After this he becomes much stronger in his argumentation and I thought it is worthwile to grasp his thinking and argumentation. I cannot agree to 100%, but much much more than what I felt in the first 20 minutes.

[@RichardPhillips1066]

Same... but he's very well informed on how the collective west rigme thinks , so worth listening too

[@davidbuchan2801]

Telling her to stop interrupting (like the Today Programme). Good on him. He got a round of applause on that point.

[@rigelb9025]

Seriously, this man (which I've just stumbled upon right now) and this interview have just set the bar for my new gold standard in terms of researching world affairs, and have given me a glimmer of hope for slightly better things to come. In a very simplistic (and admittedly somewhat vulgar) commentary about it, I could almost view it as some college wrestling match, where 'Team Eastern Modern & Updated Woke' (a.k.a. Carbon Monoxide) was pitted against 'Team Western Realist & Refreshingly Genuine Occidental' (a.k.a. 'P.C. Begone') in a 'Grand Return' tournament, in which the ancient alumni were re-invited to their Alma Mater for the first time in several decades, and got a small chance to re-taste the joyful feeling of home field advantage they had almost completely forgotten about.

[@SarahSmith-vt3oc]

@@rigelb9025 Do you also believe there was a moon landing in 1969"? July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC

[@SarahSmith-vt3oc]

@@rigelb9025 2001 Space Odyssey Release Date (Theaters) Apr 2, 1968, Original

[@rigelb9025]

@@SarahSmith-vt3oc I don't really see the relevance of the question, but to answer it : I've heard both sides, and I really don't know.

[@Ghellia]

@@rigelb9025it’s a discussion, not an interview

[@patnaicker7673]

body language of the interviewer spoke louder than words

[@HIOP0]

FOR THOSE WITHOUT YOUR EXPERT ABILITIES WITH NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION... BE SPECIFIC AND PROVIDE DETAILS.

[@rigelb9025]

@@HIOP0 Please allow me : Firstly, the few times she tried to cut him off in order to re-direct his responses in what she was hoping to be more in-line with the current 'wokeist' ideology she seems to espouse - where he, luckily, put her back in place as he very skillfully managed to quell before it got out-of-hand, and thank god he did. Then a bit later, as he was describing the descent into DEI hell that had befallen American Academia, followed by his clear & stark warning to his homeland's audience, as the camera angle panned out and she was back in frame, that glib frown across her face & less-than-joyful looking slump in her chair could probably be spotted from Mars. (Hi, Elon!)

[@rigelb9025]

Yes. And I'm glad she ended up speaking so much more body language that English words. She was not the main event - he was. And one thing about body language, is that it is much harder to lie with it, and can often give away someone's real position (no pun intended) if the words they spoke left any doubt about it.

[@HIOP0]

@@rigelb9025 "body language"... "position"... a pun?... perhaps with this effort, you show yourself simply to be an attention seeker... there is just the hint of a possibility of a vague and slight chance of a pun and most certainly it is not worth pointing out. Please do take another engineered opportunity to insert an unintentional pun, purely by accident, not hours of wasted design and... good luck.

[@HIOP0]

@@rigelb9025 Hmmm... perhaps you spent so much time analysing this, that your comment on the actual presentation is MIA. Mr Ferguson dealt with it seamlessly and moved forward, as I suggest did everyone else, perhaps but you?

[@mikefinlayson9907]

Niall I love all your work. With one caveat, I agree with everything you said. I especially agree-to put it more strongly than you did or likely would-that a two-state solution is an absurdity. The so-called Palestinians could have had a state at any time in the last 70 years. They did not want one IF it meant having a Jewish state as a neighbour. How can there be two states when the main object of one would be the destruction of the other? Those advocating for that are delusional. My disagreement relates to your comments on Brexit. I accept without reservation your assertion that it inevitably meant economic shrinkage/diminishment-what you said. BUT the concerns about culture and values (immigration) and loss of control (Brussels/The Hague) were legitimate. There is no point in worrying about some inchoate diminished prosperity in your nation if your nation will become unrecognizable to you-if you fear that the values that made your nation great are being eroded. Now most of the persons who supported Brexit thought that the Tories would keep their promises about reducing and controlling immigration. You would know better than me whether their failure was by reason of corruption or incompetence. But Brexiteers have been let down awfully. You mentioned the transformation of Scotland-my wife and i are Canadians of Scottish ancestry who last year celebrated our 40th in Scotland and we loved it-but you failed to mention the cultural revolution which underpinned that revolution-in particular the collective decision to learn English and assimilate certain aspects of English culture. Dilution of British culture by millions of immigrants with no interest in assimilation was not unreasonably thought by those who supported Brexit to be paramount to standard of living issues in the shorter long term. Kindest regards, Mike Finlayson

[@rigelb9025]

Those are some valid remarks. He really is awesome, isn't he? And to your point about Brexit & such - you're somewhat right about that aspect, which as we can see, not only how it clearly wasn't even upheld, but how quickly it began to plummet even further, & steadily continued down that slippery path pretty much ever since that new policy was first implemented, at least chronologically. It would seem like the great British Empire has moved from ruling the waves, to throwing the Somalian baby out with their own bath water.

[@jenmazz1257]

What’s happening in Canada 🇨🇦 these days is heartbreaking 💔 I don’t recognize my country anymore 😢

[@wiclifmogambi9829]

Yeah but they’re not going to have a sovereign state with settlers in it, why can’t everyone go back to their borders again?

[@TimMountjoy-zy2fd]

@@jenmazz1257 Canada is probably absolutely fine and you are just getting old and rather stuck in nostalgia.

[@TimMountjoy-zy2fd]

Mike - You write as if the UK imports people for fun and no other reason. The high immigration comes from an economy that CANNOT supply the workers with the right skills so being a wealthy country it imports those skills. Voting Brexit didn't change that shortage and its why the Tories could do nothing to reduce immigration. Reduce it and add to waiting times in the NHS ? or Pensioners go without home care. The Tories were faced with these consequences. They would otherwise GLADLY have reduced immigration. PS The two State failed because Palestinians would not renounce right of return. As a solution its the only one but it requires Palestinians to recognize Israel before it can be implemented. The old PLO on the West Bank are there but Hamas is NOT.

[@alexgorik9564]

excellent interview. clear view and undrestanding of modern society and geopolitics. I trully enjoyed listening to this brilliant speaker.

[@jasonwright606]

We're always in dangerous times when ideological fanatics and socio psychopaths have control of the process.

[@paguywang]

He said Chinese industry capacity is two times than USA , then he insisted time is on western side. Just a wishful thinking.

[@etpoculasacra]

As far as I understand him, he means that time is on the US side in the way that time was on Chamberlain's side in 1939: waiting is good for America, because it requires time to rebuild its industrial capacity and re-shore industries that are vital to warfare (such as the new chip-fabs being constructed in Arizona and New Mexico, built partly by TSMC as an insurance against invasion). As he mentioned, China can most afford to go to war within the next two years -- perhaps 2024/25 is the best chance China will have to invade Taiwan or continue its annexation of regional islands belonging to nations like the Philippines -- but this will not be the same in eight or ten years, once the US has fully developed AI-weaponry and rebuilt its industrial capacity. This is also the case (as he mentioned) because of China's problems rapidly catching up with it: demographic decline, an over-indebted state, internal discontent, youth unemployment, a housing crisis, and party infighting over who will replace the country's aging dictator. Therefore, while China *currently* has the industrial balance in its favour (partly as a hangover of its recent development), time is still on the US's side (as the more stable of the two states), if it can continue to rebuild and wait for a likely CCP implosion/distraction and relative decline in China's industrial strength.

[@mori27]

@@etpoculasacra The problem is that the rebuilding of industrial capacity in the U.S. is an illusion, which is never going to happen unless U.S. makes significant reforms. Tariffs and trade wars are not going to help.

[@alsoascot02]

of course time is on the West's side. As long as it remains a democracy and China continues to dismantle the system that prevented a new Moa. As the current Chinese Premier entrenched his power, he entrenches the corruption and repression that leads to sclerosis which in turn means it won't be able to continue to meet the now wildly raised expectations of the Chinese people.

[@tomburroughes9834]

China's big issue is demography.

[@jamesfox6736]

Fantastic insight and a bold, courageous stance against the hypocrisy and bigotry of DEI in academia and industry.

[@oobrocks]

I think Niall is a centrist and we agree on most everything. This forum would have been better without a host; just him speaking than a Q & A. It seems all hosts want to feel important (too important)

[@MrJ17J]

As an Israeli, I can tell you this guys unaware of how divided the society is. There are constant protests against Nathania was government. And we all know that Natalia is the one who allowed the attacks to happen.

[@jennyretief4978]

You need unity at this time and your prime minister is doing his best for the survival of Israel. Do not let personal opinions cloud your vision.

[@zoranristovic]

Pure groundless American exceptionalism

[@bonghy]

To say it's exceptionalism, it's imperative to understand how it came to be. Since WWII, with the drop of the 2 nuclear bombs, the younger generations in the US have been misled to believe that the US is an ally of justice when in actual fact, they are nothing more than warmongers and are actively seeking out and inciting conflicts. They are so deluded they have this misguided perception that China, who sought to have open forums and conferences in order to come to a middle ground, and which is so bizarrely different from what the US had always been doing, is sinister or in this professor's words, an axis of evil.

[@jenmazz1257]

Niall is a brilliant man and one half of the incredible intelligent and rational thinking couple with Ayaan Hirsi Ali ❤ never get tired listening to him. Niall should have a panel with Greg Lukianoff of FIRE 🔥 & Bari Weiss of The Free Press.

[@SarahSmith-vt3oc]

Except he said in The Great Degeneration, that the MOON WALK was a GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT of the last century . . WTF???l. If he had said : KUBRICK was a phenomenal special effects Film director . . . . .

[@juliacaesar8462]

love this. finally something that makes sense

[@yodorob]

At around the 1:10 mark, Alex the young, handsome chap really stole the show. And just like him, I'm a big fan of Niall Ferguson!

[@johnnydawson7675]

Thank you, Niall, for your non-doctrinaire empiricist approach.

[@donaldrobertson1808]

Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be like the Cuba missile crisis? In this case, China would be the US, & the US would be the Soviet Union

[@francisravenscroft-dw6gi]

The Chinese are developing a light pulse semi contuctor- bad news for those trillions invested in new old tech semi conductors in the US. Emagine Navida being a charming old relic :)

[@iggy5347]

China look like a loser but they are smart inside

[@Vikram_Ivanovich_Lopes]

And who would be Turkey with US nuclear missiles?

[@TheMannLodge]

Very interesting perspective, deviating but entirely aligned with the generally accepted assessment. As horrific the current situation is, it makes a positive outcome in the long run more plausible. Thanks for publishing this interview !

[@davecorley5514]

Niall Ferguson at his best.

[@nickjolliffe8118]

Setting a very low bar.

[@alexandradekanova771]

Thank you. Very sober but still not pesimistic. Thank you again.

[@rigelb9025]

You can say that again.

[@kevdaag2523]

The interviewer asked him whether a resolution to Palestinian statehood or generally the status of the Palestinian people was necessary for Middle East peace. He got snippy with her when she tried to focus him on the question. Then 10 minutes later he learned. His answer is basically yes, but it's going to come about because of Arab leaders needing and wanting to work with Israel.

[@Trials_By_Errors]

How does Russian Defeat look like on Russian Borders ??? Afghanistan was border of USSR not Russia.

[@rigelb9025]

Yes, but USSR was basically 'the Russian Empire'. A bit like the commonwealth I guess, but of a continental & socialist (ass opposed to maritime & mercantilistic) brand.

[@Eliana3173]

Well said! Thank you for letting him finish!

[@CPHSDC]

Those who write history are condemned to repeat the same reasons over and over again, ignoring those of us who write fiction and therefore have an edge on capturing what really goes on, which, while also repetitive, leaves causes to the reader's intuition over and above the author's ideology and bias. Ethnocentrism is an asset in being relatable, calling them facts, or truths, meaning, expecting the relevant argument to impact the unfoldings, is the folly of science over truth.

[@korenmoscovich4681]

What an absolute genius and thoughtful take on modern current history.

[@mauratierney371]

Superb Explanations.,. Definition of a Pessimist....A Pessimist is an Optimist with more information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@martavdz4972]

An optimist can also be a pessimist with a load of information who knows that there can be totally unexpected turns for the better. They happen sometimes.

[@IvanGreenaway]

The good professor is simply brilliant - although I don’t agree with everything he says, his delivery is unparalleled. Thank you for this presentation.

[@GloballyEnglishESLtutoringSolo]

My thoughts are China will never attack Taiwan, but they will protect their border. Economically they will always support each other. They are one needless to say.

[@cormacatcyclesierranevada1451]

I think you're right. Never a physical invasion but over time through soft power, culturally, closer business ties.... they will become so intertwined.

[@vls3771]

Also agree everything they want from Taiwan would be damaged if they tried an all out takeover and the risk of starting a conflict that could go global is clearly not worth the risk. If you want to steal a Ferrari you don't torch it . You polished the wheels and gently slide into the driver's seat.

[@annafatti5076]

Thank you ,a brilliant analysis of current geopolitics

[@michaelrichardson428]

This man is an intellectual Titan! Even when he is wrong (like he was about Biden winning) he’s still likely going to be right. Riveting discussion!

[@michellec1866]

This woman is representing what is wrong with western society!

[@sineadfleming6496]

His opinion seams very consistent with MSM content and American foreign policy! He’s been drinking the coolade

[@chrisschene8301]

Naill when will you finish the second half if your kissenger biography? I Read the first half and loved it.

[@MG-ye1hu]

It gets better and better: "Iran is weak", "Russia is weak", "China is weak", and we can exploit their weakness. That's the definition of hybris, and hybris comes before the fall.

[@allenschmitz9644]

Hot air speech from 😊

[@allenschmitz9644]

Nato and Bluto.

[@user-bt8vn3dj6o]

As an American, I agree with Professor Ferguson.

[@santri2023]

Awesome - great insights…

[@cfstultz1]

Great lecture/discussion. Thanks.

[@rickzw67]

Who controls the Banks , who controls the MSM, who controls Higher Education , who controls the global institutions are answers which our generation Must Press hard on before it’s too late. The challenge is that Control is not surrendered without a fight.

[@kristianhardon]

Excellent and entertaining as always.

[@JoseAngelFlores]

Very brutal on the issue of Palestinian statehood. But Ferguson is being objective here. Palestinians lost at least two chances to have a real state, then they voted for terrorists and ever since they´re chances to ever having a real state are dissapearing.

[@jackjones1249]

Complete lies, they were set up to fail and had to turn to armed resistance after being betrayed on numerous occasions. Israel needs to go for the safety of the world.

[@mmeade9402]

Economics is not the only thing that matters. Brexit never would have happened if it hadnt been for the migration crises going on in Europe at the time of the vote. People arent stupid, they were sitting in their homes watching tens of thousands of people pouring completely unchecked into Europe daily. They also know that English is the default international language. So everybody was assuming that the moment those people set foot on the continent, millions of them would be making a straight line for the Channel. Brexit voters were voting to take control of their borders and their immigration system. They had no idea the Tory government would completely and utterly betray them and the nation as a whole, the way they have. But that wasnt the voters problem, thats a problem of traitors in the government.

[@swordarmstudios6052]

Wait - your mad at the Tories? They did exactly what you asked - and it fucked Britain. There are other ways to deal with the border issue. The EU still exists, and it's a problem in the rest of Europe as well. A solution within the EU was possible. It just would take a lot of work. Tories could have lead the EU into comprehensive immigration reform. The Tories solidly in power in Britain, and Britain being the premiant military, naval and financial power? They could have thrown their weight around. They could have fixed the problem for an entire continent and secured Britain's future as a great nation for decades. Instead you get a decade of stagnation, rising costs and a hollowed out middle class. Poland will be richer than Britain in less than a decade.

[@mmeade9402]

@@swordarmstudios6052 "Tories could have lead the EU into comprehensive immigration reform" ?!?! The Tories campaigned every election cycle on reducing migration. And it has done nothing but increase to its current civilization ending proportions. The Tories will be wiped out this election cycle and they will deserve every lost seat, and more, because nobody believes them anymore. As it should be. The only disappointment to be seen is in the fact that they wont quite achieve #zeroseats. As for the financial issues, Brexit was an immigration/cultural issue. If the Tories had secured the border and reduced legal migration to a manageable number, most people would have shrugged and said "well, it was worth it in the end" but because of the Tory betrayal, they're going to get poorer AND have their country shredded by a tsunami of incompatible, unassimilated migrants, also.

[@bettysteinberg5569]

1:09/ I would love to get in board on the analogy Scots/Palestinians, but with that comes a question: would Palestinians vote as the Scottish people do, as citizens of Israel? What kind of identity would they have? One vote for one vote, Israel as a Jewish State cease to exist, no?

[@freddiemmc9251]

A conversation Niall involves having a say from the other side. Not a continual speech from one side only. As soon as he mentioned he’d been to Israel then his perspective was obvious. Speaking to a general! Really?

[@ougmass]

What would happen if Russia would decide to place its missils in Cuba?

[@rkirby7183]

That is the appropriate Conservative stand: to criticize Biden for his tentative half-measures in regard to Ukraine. This is the answer to the appropriate Conservative question "What would Reagan do?".

[@Triple_J.1]

Unfortunate Joe and Hunter Biden are entangled in Ukrainian oil company corruption. And Trump is entangled in Moscow and also smitten by Putin from his past compliments.

[@MurrayLake]

If this guy can't even see what is going on in real time for everyone to see, why would we think his historical perspectives are correct?

[@cyberninjasworld]

Great question

[@ryanc9241]

what "cant he" see? That Hamas is the cause of the war in gaza, and that Palestinians overwhelming and publicly supported Hamas's butcher and terrorism? Perhaps you are the one who is struggling to see

[@craigmiller-randle8921]

It is deeply satisfying to read comments that describe Mr Ferguson as “ignorant”, “wrong”, “confused ” etc etc. if ever there was evidence of ignorance and lack of understanding it would be perceiving him as any of the above. So the question “how can they think this way” is very clearly and convincingly answered.

[@catejames6453]

I don’t care how brilliant you are, if you declare yourself a Marxist you’re a moron.

[@marionreynolds7080]

The fact that prof Ferguson describes himself as an economic historian does actually explain everything about his arguments.

[@rigelb9025]

And what might that be? That they are drawn from the history of the world's economy?

[@leftgrrl]

@@rigelb9025 That they contain no humanity.

[@rigelb9025]

@@leftgrrl What kind of humanity are you referring to?

[@williamgatheist1314]

We can take all this in and make predictions and forecasts of what we want, The question is always going to remain where is a home for the Palestinians, the Israelis are never going to allow them to have an equal say in the region, statehood or not just make sure the Palestinians have the right to self-determination without a neighbor annexing his/her orchard

[@arktseytlin]

wars that they have started and lost have consequences

[@crhu319]

Israel is not a thing.

[@crhu319]

​@@arktseytlinisrael started every last one of those wars.

[@crhu319]

Correct which is why Israel must go away.

[@arktseytlin]

@@crhu319 lol nope.

[@MadnSad]

Intelligence square rooted.

[@ph8077]

Aka "I'm having a passive-aggressive tantrum because he doesn't agree with me!"

[@MB-to5gl]

Yes. We are living in a time of historical change. Let the man explain without interruption.

[@w.z.6062]

Scotland doesn’t have a state, but can Palestinian can live as citizens in Israel?

[@garethjones7677]

They could in Jordan

[@guydviri463]

They do, 20% of Israel’s population is Arab, they enjoy full voting rights etc look it up.

[@Boababa-fn3mr]

Lol yes they literally do, a big minority of the population

[@williamsnowden8186]

A revision : My initial comment was unfair. After her initial spat over Gaza, Ritula Shah conducted the interview with admirable courtesy. She did listen and respond with challenging but equitable observations. Niall is wrong about the efficacy of "Brexit." It was not primarily a question of economics ( even though the UK has outperformed Germany, France, Italy et.al, since we left), but a constitutional matter: one of governance and the right of a free and democatic nation to be self-determining within the British Constitution ( which is my discipline). It was, for many of my fellow Britains, an intuitive, instinctive response; an aversion to supranationalism and rule by a prevailing, unresponsive, and unaccountable oligarchy (The Commission) which is the European Union's ultimate goal..."The Project" We are a proud, independent nation state, the mother of constitutional democracy, and long may that continue.

[@friedhelmschroter8124]

"Niall is wrong about the efficacy of "Brexit"." I got shocked when Britain decided to leave the EU. By this UK clearly said it doesn't want to be European, this means I personally consider UK today as state No. 53 of the USA. Brexit was a kind of Cherry picking, but it is clear that the EU cannot allow this. Business people more and more regret if they have decided for Brexit, because it is nice to have full control on your UK market, but what a myriade of problems when you want to do business with the EU. To export YOU HAVE to follow the EU rules. For many great machinery there is today no local spare part, but this is organized centrally at 1 place in combination with fast delivery routes which means usually delivery on next day. Not so in UK, because there you will first execute your right of duty control which requires ? days in addition to the increased effort of not only ordering the part, but also preparing all the papers for your constitutional control .... It will also be interesting to see where UK will stand with the increased demand for military equipment, after the NATO pushed Russia into the war in Ukraine which requires now much higher effort to be militarized on same level as Russia. In case of EU the solution is clear, increase efficiency of development and production by joining forces. UK decided to leave the EU and we will see the result of your sovereign efficiency improvement in some years.

[@williamsnowden8186]

@@friedhelmschroter8124 You are erroneous. Europe is not the EU, which is a political construct with a project to create one nation out of all the ancient, nation states of Europe, what Jean Monnet dubbed ' The United States of Europe." The UK is a proud and independent constitutional democracy, whose leaders are held directly to account. Supranationalism and rule by oligarchy ( The Commission ) is the antithesis of democracy.

[@friedhelmschroter8124]

@@williamsnowden8186 Formally your are correct "Europe is not the EU", but practically everybody want to join the EU and beside the EU there is after Brexit the 53rd state of the USA and then a few .... (even a country like Switzerland not being an EU member is so strongly associated that it can be considered). You are wrong that the EU is a project "to create one nation". Yes some people have targeted this, but there are today no bold steps towards this like common language, common money, common army, .... In my understanding the Commission with powerful people is the way to bring all the different countries into some common direction which is mainly acting on industry, trade and legal affairs becoming more and more important. Still the Commission lacks the decision power of the local countries for example about their army or the main money spending. In contrast to you I think the EU is the most democratic organisation on this earth, because it needs "all countries voting the same, this means 100%", a 50% majority like in a normal democracy is not sufficient. This over-democratic situation is also one of the EU's largest problems as its gives minors a huge power.

[@williamsnowden8186]

​@friedhelmschroter8124 Dear Friedhelm, I have submitted a further response to your comments regarding my critique of the EU project. It seems to have been sent to the comments page rather than direct to you. I am an old-fashioned historian (books and manuscripts and primary materials found in archives and libraries rather than technology!) I hope you find it of interest, even if we are on opposite sides of this great debate about the future nature of a continent for which we both, i suspect, have a deep admiration. William Snowden.

[@friedhelmschroter8124]

@@williamsnowden8186 Dear William, I agree, Europe is a nice place to live (it's the place where we grew up, where we do understand a lot more than at any other place). I have worked in telecom and the main thing I took from my activity (european-wide, special telecom semiconductors for a japanese giant conglomerate representing more than 15% of Japan GDP) is SIZE matters. That is the reason why it is also true the US is a more nice place to live compared to Europe, in most respect. Based on my thinking SIZE matters the Brexit decision was a disaster, larger for the UK, a little smaller for the EU. I am also critical to details in the EU, but I fully agree and support the idea of joining forces rather than splitting up into smaller entities all doing the same, while a large unit can spent more ressources in every detail and by this does achieve much superior results (instead of Brexit it would have been much better UK to target reform of the EU where they think most urgent and get support by others). And that size matters you are also seeing in case of China. I wish you all the best Friedhelm Schröter

[@conniewahl4743]

Thank you for the honest description of war.

[@robertmiller2173]

Wow; so well put Niall…….yet again!

[@3dEmil]

my comment was deleted from the channel owner and not from the censoring KZbin algorithm because I have exact same comment posted on another KZbin video without being deleted. Post here only praises and pleasantries if you don't want your comments deleted

[@3dEmil]

Right now KZbin shows 52 comments posted, but there are only 30 visible comments, so 22 deleted. This indicates the tolerance of the channel owner for free discussion.

[@TTFN55]

@@3dEmil - Or the lack thereof.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

EXACTLY. Write a solid critique that lands, and there is no chance it will appear.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

💯

[@Boababa-fn3mr]

No, it's still the YT algorithm deleting comments, not channel owners

[@ALANJohnnaveenchandar]

Someone authentic to spell out the truth about the Hamas. God bless you.

[@vennyvendetta2937]

Ignorant

[@all2031]

A new pack of wolves is seen as evil by the old pack! The new reality is painful for some, opportunity for getting even for many!

[@hawkstrike18]

Sounds like you're destined to serve a pack of "wolves"... Others won't.

[@davycollier6528]

His analysis is so wrong-headed on almost all topics it’s hard to know where to start. However, I’m more fascinated by the audience’s positive response in places. I’m not sure if it’s the underlying ‘dog whistle’ tones or the public school patronizing, yet authoritative manner of speech , that is somehow camouflaging his poor points. He also seems to think the only thing going for Britain is Oxford and Cambridge Universities, which I think is quite a telling, elitist appraisal.

[@Boababa-fn3mr]

What else is seriously going for the UK these days? They've screwed themselves over the last 25 years. It gives me no pleasure to say that.

[@PT5684]

one of the few western intelectuals that gets it

[@adamredwine774]

Douglas Murray also.

[@oliviagreenberg497]

Excellent analysis from Niall Ferguson throughout this conversation. I agree with almost all of it. Interesting that he left the UK for USA to live. He showed so much patience to this interviewer's harrassment too