We Are On A Path Towards Authoritarianism | Aaron Bastani meets Mehdi Hasan | Downstream

Mehdi Hasan discusses the challenges facing the world today, including authoritarianism, the role of media in shaping public opinion, and the need for a more equitable society. His new book "Win Every Argument" is out now.
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[@lisadraga]

I'd love to hear an interview with him now that his show was canceled. I'm fascinated with his work on al Jazeera and the Intercept. His head to head debate with Danny Ayelon is required watching for these times.

[@mimiHTcat]

fellow british-american, glad to have mehdi representing us. i totally agree with the similarities and differences he talks about here.

[@midnightxsquid4117]

much better than that other British-american bloke that's for sure

[@couchman-sw6jy]

I’m only in america so I never knew about medhi until a few days ago. He’s quite amazing at his job, sharp as a tack. I wish more journalists were like him

[@Feellikealady99]

Medhi, we actually need you back in the UK because journalism here has gone the same way as in the US. There are no longer hard-hitting interviews; the BBC is over.

[@itsabongting]

the more i watch this channel the better it gets, this is what should be on the mainstream in this country!

[@gerededasein1182]

Bernie Sanders did go on Fox (as a candidate, admittedly), and did a very good job.

[@Blacktolite]

Al Jazeera English is a stepping stone to big things for journalists. Other networks steal their talent constantly .

[@kirstyguard6023]

Thanks again Novara , providing an oasis of much needed thoughtful discussion. Appreciate your output.

[@tabbymoonshine5986]

This. This entirely. They are the SOLE sane new outlet

[@oliveroliver6556]

This has been like that for years. A Russian pointed that out years ago. He said, the pres in the west all carry the same headlines. And you say you have a free press

[@MrMartyOh]

Oooh… Bastani AND Mehdi. Very watchable guys, and I learned some things too. Novara rules this long form interview shit right about now… 👌🏾

[@jassensummogum]

Amazing interview, Mehdi is razor-sharp!

[@MaryamofShomal]

I’m nowhere near as left as Mehdi or Aaron - but Novara Media is my favorite British news outlet, and the first one I go to whenever something happens in the UK. Y’all are just that good, and just that real. Mehdi is brilliant. Love him on MSNBC, and I loved watching his interviews back when he was with Al Jazeera (even his Oxford Union debates). Everything he said in this interview about American media is spot-on. Just wanted to add that for us, the office of President is held in such a high regard because he’s more like our temporary, elected monarch (head of state, as Mehdi said) rather than our Prime Minister - generally, our Speaker of the House is more akin to our PM. But obviously, they aren’t exact parallels. Nevertheless, I love the differences between our systems, being the nerd that I am 🤓 As your cousins across the pond, we really are luck to have journalists like Aaron, Michael, Ash, and of course Mehdi!! I honestly don’t know what the hell we Americans would do without you. Now please: STOP VOTING FOR TORIES

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

If one is not further to the left than Mehdi - who is essentially a centre-left liberal - I don't know what they are doing with their political principles and worldviews.

[@brettg9481]

@@SvalbardSleeperDistrict lol I think this person is telling us they are a fascist.

[@PoldarkGodzilla]

I prefer spiked , novaro is ridiculously left wing

[@brettg9481]

@@PoldarkGodzilla Seems pretty tame to me. Much like Hasan. He is too rich to be on the left. The left doesn't work for the establishment at MSNBC. The left is getting watched by their FBI.

[@danielcrafter9349]

​@@SvalbardSleeperDistrict- Mehdi is definitely a Leftie, not a Liberal

[@jmxtoob]

Really nice interview! Thanks for taking the time Medhi!

[@JMJM75257]

Novara media once again showing they are here to stay! very refreshing to listen to a media source I truly feel I can trust and relate with.

[@lorrainewest8264]

A most exhilarating conversation. Many thanks Gentlemen. I can't remember the last time I heard it so good.

[@lollian2782]

Great conversation!!!

[@ruthvanstraten7126]

Fabulous interview. Thanks so much Aaron and Novara.

[@davidhigginsuk]

This was one of the best political interviews I've listened to. I only heard about Mehdi Hasan two days ago when I happened to listen to one of his Book launches for his book, Win Every Argument and was blown away by his brilliant analysis of what's gone wrong in the world of politics in both the UK & USA and why it is so hard to sometimes win the public vote just using facts. This is so much better than the political interviews on mainstream tv!

[@paulthomas281]

This is totally correct. I cannot believe how much Canadian and American journalists "respect" their politicians and believe in being nice to them.

[@paulheydarian1281]

If they (journos) don't play nice, they lose access. They will be out of a job, and will actually have to develop other real skills, to earn their daily bread. Not every journo has the skills, mental firepower, or the moral courage to become like Matt Taibbi or Chris Hedges. Canadians seem way too nice to ask cutting edge questions, whereas some Brits come across as a-holes. But the well-educated ones have real debating and analytical skills.

[@generationofswine-ge5rw]

That only applies to 'conservative" politicians, as they fear if they are tough on them, ask follow-up questions, challenge them or present facts that contradict them they will be accused of being biased. Of course the preposterous accusations of "anti-conservative bias" are part of a strategy and there has never been any truth to it. The right wing movement always act in bad faith and they always lie. They are going to accuse you of bias no matter how you conduct yourself. Appeasement doesn't work with fascists.

[@DarrenMansell]

Brilliant interview. Aaron is a great interviewer and Mehdi is just about the sharpest guy I've ever seen on screen.

[@lessthanthree3737]

Rest in peace to all the brave souls who died on the USS Liberty 🙏🙏🙏

[@A_kiwis_view]

A kiwi's view. A great discussion between two smart and incisive individuals. Being authentic is at the heart of integrity. Being emotional in promoting one's values is key in arguments . Thank you Aaron and Mehdi for this article.

[@SwitzerlandEducation4471]

Thank you so much for comment Just follow me for education purpose

[@CloaknDagger]

I LOVED THIS INTERVIEW! THANK YOU BOTH!!!!

[@akpanekpo6025]

I'm not surprised that Mehdi Hasan has written this book, and though I haven't read it yet, I have every reason to believe I'll find it invaluable. Why? Watch him destroy Melanie ("Mad Mel') Phillips on Intelligence Squared on the subject of anti-Semitism: it was pure joy to be hold. Plus, I've followed his journalism for a while and share his disdain for bad-faith "arguments".

[@duibheasaoreilly167]

Ask him his opinion on the theocratic fascists of Iran, murdering girls who don't want hijabs imposed on them. Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer.

[@menudobucket9837]

I’ve been a fan of Mehdi for quite awhile, and now your audience knows why. Thanks for having him on your show. 🙏🏽

[@72rmboyd]

Been looking forward to this interview

[@mhkpt]

I wish we could have him interview Cameron, May, Boris, Sunak, Trump, and Biden, and the worst corporate abusers like Bezos and Musk, with no quarter, for a good couple of hours each, just an in-depth, merciless Mehdi-style grilling, exposing all of their lies.

[@davidbates3057]

Great interview. I completely agree that the lack of legitimate outrage of mainstream issues that affect all of us is a massive issue with left politics. At the same time, it does frustrate me, especially on the earlier side, with what I guess feels like doublespeak on certain principles, which is where a lot of the centre-left often comes from. For example, it's interesting to hear his respect for the way Bernie does things, which I agree, he's the gold standard on politic, yet at the same time defend the likes of Rachel Maddow, who was very quick to jump on the Bernie is a sexist bandwagon, just as her hype of Russian influence in US politics was Fox News level of extreme coverage. Whether she genuinely believed in those positions, who knows, but considering she and her team were supposed to be representing a "journalistic" endeavour, she did anything but. And this same criticism boils down to the views of Starmer and Labour. The opinion that they are the "right" people for the time at the start of the interview is followed up at the end with "What do they stand for?". Those two positions don't gel, and it feels like the admission of lies in Parliament with generic claims of how the future is bright is a smokescreen for their policy rhetoric which is surely also "lies" for the purpose of winning elections, when in reality those political positions are anything but lies, which is precisely what's wrong with politics... globally, tbh. The issue still stems in that we live in a society where government exists to protect the interests and wealth of the rich, and those interests are applied through economic and foreign policy of which all serious political parties are in full agreement on. The differences stem from cultural and demographic disagreements, all of which are magnified by a media run by millionaires and billionaires, and none of which will make the slightest bit of real terms difference no matter which side "wins" at any given time when the material economic foundations never change for anyone involved.

[@gregsimkins2664]

Really fascinating interview! I'm also a Brit currently living in Washington D.C and enjoyed the comparisons between the UK and the US. What Aaron said about the US being this whole other English speaking world which a lot of Brits don't really understand resonated with me. I find Americans to be extremely intrigued about the UK though.

[@SwitzerlandEducation4471]

Thank you so much for comment Just follow me for education purpose

[@BobJohnson648]

Americans and Brits seem much the same

[@SwitzerlandEducation4471]

@@BobJohnson648 how

[@BobJohnson648]

@@SwitzerlandEducation4471 both see people crossing bodies of water to be in their countries; both have large segments of the population who resent that. Both countries are/have been involved in dubious wars. In what ways are they not alike?

[@patcampton7163]

I can't believe you never mentioned Corbyn who actually engaged more people in politics than even Tony Blair.

[@gs8099]

A credible, authentic and descent politician who was ignored and destroyed by many of the same press and media who ironically disagree with Trump! Wondering if they think they may lose an argument, mentioning his name!

[@juandoejr1906]

Upon a second listen Mehdi's assessment of democracy in the UK and the US is pretty bleak. In short, he called it a popularity contest devoid of substance and heavy on likeability and entertainment. Sadly, Mehdi maybe right but what is not discussed are the ramifications of giving politicians mandates to implement unknown platforms based on platitudes eg. Take back control, Oven ready deal, Make America great again or Build back better. It is no wonder we are headed towards fascism.

[@alexhanson6577]

Agh! Why can I only upvote this once?! One of the best interviews I've ever seen (and I'm in my 40s). So thought provoking.

[@Trekfanwanda]

Great interview with Mehdi Hasan

[@dustmighte]

Fantastic interview, thanks for having him on

[@gerededasein1182]

Feels like the volume is low? (But maybe it's just my phone.)

[@TheLisclark]

I maxed my volume....

[@digitalflame3498]

Oh its very quiet!!

[@sunyavadin]

I had to crank my PC volume up to 100% and then dial up the knob on the speakers some more to get it to the same volume as most of Novara's videos

[@JZ0UK]

Yep very low.

[@maaziy_ghaziyIYI]

No, it is low!

[@LizbetNene]

Kier Starmer's vision for the UK is him being PM.

[@JohnnyFriendly]

You are giving him too much credit - he doesn't even want to do that (and will be relieved if he loses). His "vision" is to prevent the Labour party from ever espousing any left-of-centre policies again. That and looking forward to a cushy job post-2024 as a lobbying consultant for Israel

[@harrypalmer3481]

Sometimes it's a relief to hear many of your own conclusions, even the grim ones, stated by someone you don't know & have never met. Thank you Gentlemen.

[@Ryattt81]

This was great! At a bit of a younger age, I feel like I saw him, Mehdi, every once in awhile, but I could be wrong... back when I was in my mid 20s and butting up against the issues that were being brought up vs. The world as I understood it. I genuinely didnt see the racial component to the anti muslim sentiment BECAUSE it wasnt racial for me, it was ideological, not to mention Id adooted some political heroes like Sam Harris and Douglas Murray. Well, all these years later, in my early 40s, Im able to understand alternate views, Im able to admit that I may have biases that could be imposed unfairly, and I try to view politics through my principles rather than my opinions. What a great interview this was to shed light on the reality of politics in America. Thanks to all those who pushed back and made me question my alignments. I was never on the right, but I was often in the wrong.

[@deeznutz1428]

if you got people like sam harris as hero then you really need some proper heroes lol.

[@Ryattt81]

@@deeznutz1428 that was a very long time ago. Im not for a long time.

[@sararichardson737]

Be good to see Gary Younge n Aaron Bastani too

[@paulinskipukprogressive4903]

Stunning job getting this man for an interview

[@AndreasDelleske]

Fantastic clarity, great interview! Love Mehdi. Even for us Germans, this is a breathe of fresh air.

[@tahmed2176]

Mehdi has been one of my favorite no nonsense journalists over the past decade. Excellent interview NM.

[@VSM101]

the islamist posing as a leftist nice

[@robertwinslade3104]

Another fantastic interview; always enjoy Downstream!

[@nickname6747]

More like this please! Fantastic, insightful and interesting interview. Thanks for uploading.

[@simondavies6270]

Well done! Novara News I never new an hour could go by so quickly.

[@vinodralh8016]

Great long form interview! Thoroughly enjoyably and insightful. Now to buy the book!Well done!!!

[@sailyousuf]

Two brilliant journalists discussing politics doesn't get better than that .

[@eddiesanon8786]

I agreed

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

Loved this, thank you. Mehdi Hassan is a treasure. We seem to be coming full circle - in the 1920s deregulated capitalism was failing and fascism was rising in response to anti-capitalist resistance. And here we are again.

[@PoldarkGodzilla]

Hyperbolic nonsense 😂

[@MugsMunny]

Mehdi : the reason many leftists go to Fox News is because they don’t get invited to MSNBC. Why don’t you invite Bernie Sanders, Chris Hedges, Ralph Nader, Cornel West, Max Blumenthal, Aaron Maté, Jimmy Dore, Matt Taibbi, Jill Stein ? You may even learn something

[@DopeAtoms]

Love Mehdi.. Big ups NM for constant thoughtful content

[@scallamander4899]

I watch two or three Novara vids every day, a very welcome part of my media diet.

[@faheemahanif5745]

Truly amazing human being. He lends Truth to Power. If there there were more humans like him this world would be a safe haven. May the Almighty God bless Mehdi and family and let your voice for justice resonate forever!!!

[@jagsherdhaliwal3191]

Great interview. I don't know if it's my ears or the volume, buts it's rather low. Not a big deal, I just have to turn it up than normal.

[@lukesavage389]

Biden does have a challenger - Marianne Williamson. Disappointed that Mehdi didn't even mention her, the left needs a flag bearer. Williamson is a very capable and intelligent politician and is being needlessly dismissed.

[@XavierJAlexander]

No she seems like a nice person but is batshit crazy in many ways.

[@iRiShKnIcKs2011]

Around 1:02:00 when Aaron points out the general feeling of malaise in the UK that was so spot on!! Myself and many of those around me are feeling so depressed living in this country. Stagnant wages, no real economic growth, underdeveloped cities and public facilities, a government out of touch with it's voters, and a cost of living crisis are all causing us to reconsider our living situation. I really do believe that the UK will be the first, and maybe already is the first, "advanced economy" to suffer a brain drain as it's citizens opt for a better lifestyle and pay in other English speaking countries. The UK is just depressing to live in now, and it's depressing to a level I've never seen prior to brexit.

[@kerryfry1857]

Great interview... thanks NM♥️

[@athenak4666]

Really enjoyed the conversation 👍🏾 Thanks for sharing ❤

[@alexanderclaylavin]

This is a journalist right here. Small miracle that he's even on the radar.

[@jerrysmith2360]

Miss his knowledge and decisive debating/ interviewing skills, that Erik Prince interview was a brilliant takedown.

[@NK-ht3fo]

Fabulous interview, thank you

[@annchristine47]

As a Brit living in America,we are so lucky to have Mr Hasan on American television constantly raising journalism to a new ,higher standard and educating the public with speaking truth to power.People like him are few and far between but they are the only ones who can help save Democracy. Right now Britain and America are dangerously close to authoritarianism.

[@louisewilliams7492]

Hmm...not just close

[@blueskiesabove3950]

Been watching a lot of Mehdi recently so was chuffed to see him on NM

[@mari3602]

Great interview and discussion.

[@jennykinsella7560]

love this man thanks for a brilliant interview

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting

[@robertmccombe9358]

Both refreshingly frank and scarily portentous in equal measure.

[@MMartinVideo]

Great discussion!

[@chrishowell6469]

I'm so glad to hear Medhi say he won't debate people who spout B.S. because we need to stop allowing people who are wrong and lie to be allowed to spread misinformation.

[@biffa1234100]

FFS did you read what you just wrote? Are you the arbiter of truth do you know what it is? How do you suggest we STOP peoples freedom to have a different opinion and or TRUTH than yours? I certainly don't think Medhi would debate you Chris you fascist

[@johnmorton1026]

Would it not be better for him to debate them and publicly show them up for their BS ?

[@chrishowell6469]

@@johnmorton1026 There B.S. is public, though. And people need to stop platforming them.

[@CouncilEstateTV]

such a good interview

[@petebateman143]

There is a cause for the malaise. Wealth running the country for it's own benefit.

[@treyquattro]

if it were just wealth then it wouldn't be quite so bad. Still awful, but what we have now is real fascism where the likes of Major Traitor Green, Granny Boebert, Andy Biggs, Tom Cotton et al, plus a bunch of American talibanista "Chrisitian" preachers want to kill LGBT+ people and non-white immigrants, and start a war against "liberals" who they accuse of grooming children. These people are deranged, despotic, demonic, and degenerate.

[@nkenchington6575]

its

[@karenbrown3676]

Great interview

[@snc8537]

Maaaan! That was good . Thank you

[@lbergan2]

I'm a 70 year old American and I believe Mehdi is the best journalist we have. Maybe the best ever!

[@christinalloyd9566]

Very interesting interview. I like watching Mehdi on the msnbc channel on you tube. Always good. On the subject of why the UK is in decline, well, the UK still hasn't recovered from the loss of the British Empire and never will. The wealth and prosperity (for the rich obviously) but a tiny bit for the poor was built on the empire. That is our wealth was bult up by taking away from hordes of countries around the world. It's like having a business with 10,000 employees all who work for next to zero wages and then that is taken away from you and all you have left is 5 employees who all want a proper wage. Your business collapses. Surprise, surprise.... It really isn't rocket science. Britain's wealth was not built by British people but by it's former colonies.

[@ShaunieDale]

This was an absolutely fascinating interview. Much respect to you both.

[@jmontarsi]

How refreshing! As an American. I must say that Medhi Hasan is a breat--no, a tornado of healthy fresh air.

[@redelmahdi]

Absolutely love Mehdi! What a gift to journalism he is!

[@vicarious7858]

That ending statement is spot on. Scary times.

[@prslade25]

Why no mention of Corbyn?

[@lisaglaze250]

I cannot believe he didn't come up as a politician could give hope

[@nizzie16]

Two of my favorite journalists! Amazing! 🍿

[@awesomfog345]

Up there in top 3 conversations on downstream. Amazing stuff.

[@allanmckeown8417]

Medhi is very good at what he does, we could use him here in the U.K. to make people think a little bit harder.

[@zacboyles1396]

You can’t be serious.This guy is a bargain bin, state dept empty shell. Don’t you have Russell Brand? Surely he make you use critical thinking.

[@ArtfromHell]

Mehdi's comment about "awful people" seems similar to my own observation of irrational people

[@Evie3331]

People need rousing, excellent discussion.

[@nizamixiii]

Great stuff! Magic from Mehdi as ever 🎉

[@garolstipock]

Mehdi Hasan raised the bar of American journalism to a level that frankly, America is not ready for, nor do they fundamentally want. Ameria lives too comfortably with its hypocrisies and contradictions to suffer their public airing too much. Keep doing the good work, no. GREAT work, Mr. Hasan.

[@wendymorgan1049]

4:40 "I became a citizen several years ago, before the 2020 election, which I wanted to because I wanted to vote in that election, which I saw as the most consequential election of our lifetimes." This made me CHEER. I'm an American citizen and I believe in the power of the vote more than any other aspect of our political landscape. There's no issue in politics more important than the freedom to vote. The fact that he became a citizen so that he could vote in our election is the most precious thing, and I hope many immigrants to this country are as impassioned about our nation's issues as Mehdi Hasan is. Just glorious.

[@bfoster417]

I love this interview.

[@johnjudd2183]

Absolutely fascinating

[@ScandalUK]

Great interview - genuinely interesting guest

[@jazzis4u1]

“Out of the blue” he says. He did write a sycophantic letter to MSNBC, while working at the Intercept, listing a number of reasons why he thought they should hire him.

[@terrylovesenegal]

Glad he got out of MSNBC, we will be looking forward to following him elsewhere.

[@smiler9028]

This was fantastic

[@KillaKermit]

Love listening to Mehdi, will be getting this book 👍🏻

[@sunshine4sue2]

🗽🇺🇸Go Mehdi ... No you can't have him back! 💁We love him on this side of the ocean🌊!! 🕊️🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@01arthi]

Loved the interview or rather a very thought provoking discussion. Sums the politics playing across the globe. And definitely buying the book, I love Mehdi’s style of interviewing.

[@d-5037]

Great talk

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

Medhi is easily the most clear minded on msnbc. It's so appreciated that he hasn't turned too mainstream centrist.

[@jamien134]

Mehdi is a national treasure, love to have him on this side of the pond for a while!!

[@cdean2789]

Well done on getting Mehdi.

[@54tisfaction]

That man is bloody brilliant!

[@thermionix]

Which leading light of the left (Chomsky?) said something to the effect of, when a woman or brown person can get the top job, it's because the power structure has decided that the 'top job' is no longer important.