To understand Benjamin Netanyahu’s legacy, not just for Israel-Palestine, but for the world, it’s worth going back to a fascinating shadow debate that Netanyahu conducted with Barack Obama about the course of history. Throughout his presidency, Obama kept telling Netanyahu that Israel’s control over millions of stateleless Palestinians was “
I think your post could be titled "Axis of Evil" [lol], given your take-down of Netanyahu vis a vis his leading the pack of illiberal leaders who have ascended to power over the past decade. God help us!
I'd agree with this if I felt Netanyahu caused Trump, Modi, etc. I don't think Bibi influenced those men much (nor do I think Bibi has much influence on American/Indian/Brazilian politics). Israel is just not important enough in those countries for his influence to spread that far.
As for the Churchill comparison: Churchill's a complicated figure from a complicated time. I do not think there's much comparison between Winston and Bibi (especially when you consider the time period in which both grew and governed).
Thoughtful take as usual, Peter - thanks for sharing. Three things I'm curious about: would your analysis of the authoritarian/capitalist trend shift at all if we include a couple leaders who fit the mold but come at it from the "left"? Thinking here of Maduro and Duterte in particular... though the traditional left/right distinction in my view has long since lost its explanatory power.
I know you've discussed this in other work, but it seems to me the other obvious feature here is aggrieved masculinity (Michael Kimmel's term, which I continue to find powerfully explanatory). I'm curious if we incorporated some of the female politicians who fit this mold (Marine Le Pen most prominently, but I would include Pia Kjærsgaard, Alice Weidel...) if any of the main themes you highlight would shift.
Third, I'd love to see the opposite take: the core pillars of the "Obama" progressive worldview. I don't think Obama is the right figurehead here; he was in my view way too comfortable with capitalism to offer a realistic approach to the climate crisis, e.g. Can we yet distill the core principles of the progressive internationalist "left"? (I put left in quotes because I don't think socialism is the answer either; the path to authoritarian nationalism has been paved in part by the failures of "left" governance). The movements that have emerged thus far haven't amounted to much, though the principles to me are worth looking at: Podemos, Syriza, Justice Dems, individuals like AOC, Jacinda Ardern, Katrin Jacobsdottir, Michael Higgins... curious to hear your take.
I became a subscriber after your fascinating talk with Critical Connections last week. Thank you for all that you do.
I think your post could be titled "Axis of Evil" [lol], given your take-down of Netanyahu vis a vis his leading the pack of illiberal leaders who have ascended to power over the past decade. God help us!
I'd agree with this if I felt Netanyahu caused Trump, Modi, etc. I don't think Bibi influenced those men much (nor do I think Bibi has much influence on American/Indian/Brazilian politics). Israel is just not important enough in those countries for his influence to spread that far.
As for the Churchill comparison: Churchill's a complicated figure from a complicated time. I do not think there's much comparison between Winston and Bibi (especially when you consider the time period in which both grew and governed).
Thoughtful take as usual, Peter - thanks for sharing. Three things I'm curious about: would your analysis of the authoritarian/capitalist trend shift at all if we include a couple leaders who fit the mold but come at it from the "left"? Thinking here of Maduro and Duterte in particular... though the traditional left/right distinction in my view has long since lost its explanatory power.
I know you've discussed this in other work, but it seems to me the other obvious feature here is aggrieved masculinity (Michael Kimmel's term, which I continue to find powerfully explanatory). I'm curious if we incorporated some of the female politicians who fit this mold (Marine Le Pen most prominently, but I would include Pia Kjærsgaard, Alice Weidel...) if any of the main themes you highlight would shift.
Third, I'd love to see the opposite take: the core pillars of the "Obama" progressive worldview. I don't think Obama is the right figurehead here; he was in my view way too comfortable with capitalism to offer a realistic approach to the climate crisis, e.g. Can we yet distill the core principles of the progressive internationalist "left"? (I put left in quotes because I don't think socialism is the answer either; the path to authoritarian nationalism has been paved in part by the failures of "left" governance). The movements that have emerged thus far haven't amounted to much, though the principles to me are worth looking at: Podemos, Syriza, Justice Dems, individuals like AOC, Jacinda Ardern, Katrin Jacobsdottir, Michael Higgins... curious to hear your take.