We talk to the historian Niall Ferguson about the politics of catastrophe, from pandemics and famines to world wars and climate change. Have we been worrying about the right things? Why have some countries done so much better than others with Covid? And what can history teach us about the worst that can happen? Plus, how likely is it that a cold war between the US and China turns hot?
Talking Points:
Niall argues that COVID is more like the Asian flu in ‘57/’58 than the 1918/1919 Spanish flu.
When we’re trying to assess the political impact of a disaster, the body count is not the most important thing.
What did we get wrong about the COVID response?
The distinction between natural and manmade disasters is a false one.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Further Learning:
And as ever, recommended reading curated by our friends at the LRB can be found here: lrb.co.uk/talking
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Michael Lewis on the Pandemic
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Union at the Crossroads
Wales, England and the Future of the UK
Adam Curtis
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Technopopulism
The Tragic Choices of Climate Change
Sunakonomics
Northern Ireland: Past, Present, Future
What Does Jeremy Think?
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