Ghost Nation: Taiwan's Struggle for Survival with Chris Horton
If you've been following world events, you know that Taiwan's future has become a major question, and a fulcrum for the future of democracy. Chris Horton is the author of "Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and Its Struggle for Survival," a new book that offers a unique view into Taiwan's complex history, its precarious present, and its potential futures. "Ghost Nation" is a must read for those interested in the future of democracy, not just in Asia but around the world, and Dave's conversation with Chris is a great introduction to this complex set of topics.
More info: https://chrishortonwriter.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Nation-Taiwan-Struggle-Survival/dp/1035034026
00:00 Introduction to Taiwan's Complex History
00:52 Meet Chris Horton: Author of Ghost Nation
03:15 The Dutch and Spanish Colonization
07:27 The Ming and Qing Dynasties
17:53 Japanese Rule and Modernization
23:48 The ROC and the 2-28 Incident
48:18 Martial Law in Taiwan: A Dark History
50:00 Democratization and Political Shifts
51:39 Taiwan's Identity and International Relations
01:00:56 Taiwan's Economic Transformation
01:04:10 TSMC: Taiwan's Semiconductor Giant
01:08:37 China's Military Threat and Taiwan's Defense
01:23:34 US-Taiwan Relations and Strategic Ambiguity
01:33:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Project Russia and the Future of Western Democracy with Jason Pack
In this episode, we dive into geopolitical tensions, focusing on Russia’s influence on global politics and its ideological underpinnings. David Troy and Jason Pack from the Disorder Podcast discuss Russian nationalism, the continuity of Soviet-era tactics, and the extensive influence of Project Russia. The conversation also delves into the intersections with Western ideologies and strategies to combat disinformation, as well as the peculiar connection between Russian Cosmism and contemporary tech culture.
The Disorder Podcast - https://linktr.ee/disorderpod
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:51 Conversation with Jason Pack Begins
02:18 Russian Nationalism and Historical Context
03:40 Post-Soviet Russia and the KGB's Influence
10:27 Challenges of Democratization in Russia
18:24 Project Russia: Ideological Framework
26:18 Western Misunderstandings of Russian Motivations
29:10 The Essence of Project Russia
30:06 Bannon's Vision and Russian Interests
30:30 China's Role in the Ukraine War
31:52 Introduction to Russian Cosmism
32:40 The Origins and Ideas of Russian Cosmism
34:32 Cosmism's Influence on Modern Tech
37:51 Libertarian Ideologies and Russian Cosmism
40:51 Trump's Actions and Russian Interests
42:50 Chaos in Tariff Policies
45:56 Strengthening Democracy in the West
52:48 Engaging Global South Democracies
53:49 Conclusion and Future Vision
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57:05
The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran
Journalist and political communications specialist Gil Duran joins Dave for a discussion of The Network State, the latest in a long line of Libertarian Exit ideologies. Based on the ideas of people like Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinavasan, and Curtis Yarvin, the movement ultimately aims to dismantle the American government in favor of a network of federated states, all competing for citizens. The ideology has found a home in the second Trump administration and is gaining momentum quickly. Dave and Gil discuss what it is, where it came from, and how to go about stopping its spread.
Interview starts at 02:47
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:05 Exploring the Network State Concept
02:47 Mainstream Media's Reluctance
03:40 Historical Context and Silicon Valley's Influence
04:42 Local Politics and Billionaire Influence
05:22 Acceleration of Network State Ideologies
07:54 Freedom Cities and Corporate Dystopias
11:59 Exit vs. Voice: Libertarian Ideals
17:36 Cultish Movements and Apocalyptic Visions
22:48 Autocracy Inc. and Global Implications
33:12 Bitcoin and Right-Wing Politics
34:02 Network State and Democracy
34:29 Media and Political Awareness
35:37 Democrats and Cryptocurrency
43:51 Technocracy and Historical Parallels
51:43 Substack vs. Ghost Platform
55:00 Future Political Landscape
01:02:45 Grassroots Movements and Conclusion
Links:
https://thenerdreich.com
https://x.com/gilduran76
https://theframelab.org
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1:09:30
Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil
Donald Trump wasn't the first presidential candidate to be groomed by the KGB to advance Russian interests. That dubious honor belongs to Henry A. Wallace, who ran for president in 1948.
Dave interviews Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss his latest book, 'The World That Wasn't, Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century.' The conversation explores Wallace's intriguing political and personal life, his contributions as Agriculture Secretary under FDR, his mystical beliefs, and his controversial political career. The discussion includes the impact of Wallace's policies, his interactions with and influence from historical figures like Nicholas Roerich, and his eventual fall from political grace leading up to the 1944 Democratic Convention. The guest also draws parallels between Wallace's complex legacy and contemporary political narratives, including potential influences on modern American politics.
Links:
https://america2.news/donald-trump-isnt-the-first-presidential-candidate-groomed-by-the-kgb/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/genuine-case-collusion?ref=america2.news
https://www.cfr.org/expert/benn-steil
https://x.com/bennsteil
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/nyregion/nyc-911-calls-riverside-drive.html
https://www.roerich.org/
Interview begins at 02:47.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:20 Henry Wallace: A Counterfactual History
02:27 Henry Wallace's Early Life and Agricultural Innovations
06:39 Wallace's Mystical Pursuits and Political Controversies
12:39 Wallace's Political Ideologies and Economic Views
23:25 Wallace's Vice Presidency and Political Challenges
29:06 Wallace's Diplomatic Missions and Downfall
33:51 Manipulating Visits: The Russian Blueprint
34:30 The DNC's Maneuvering for a New VP
37:47 The 1944 Democratic Convention Chaos
41:02 Wallace's Downfall and Truman's Rise
45:50 Wallace's Post-VP Career and Conflicts
48:43 Wallace's 1948 Presidential Run and Communist Ties
54:40 Parallels Between Wallace and Trump
58:38 The Masonic Dollar Bill Redesign
01:00:49 Conclusion and Future Prospects
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Money, Lies, and God with Katherine Stewart
Dave interviews Katherine Stewart about her new book 'Money, Lies, and God,' which explores extremist movements in the United States, particularly focusing on the rise of anti-democratic sentiment and Christian nationalism. Katherine shares her background in reporting over the past 16 years and discusses how she began investigating these movements after a 'Good News Club' appeared at her daughter's school. She categorizes the key players in these movements into 'funders,' 'thinkers,' and 'foot soldiers' and discusses how their interactions threaten the foundations of American democracy. The interview also touches on the disinformation campaigns, the international dimension of these extremist networks, and the importance of engaging in local politics and voting to sustain democracy.
00:00 Introduction and Book Overview
00:19 Katherine's Background and Initial Interest
00:38 The Good News Club and Its Impact
02:57 Researching the Legal Advocacy Groups
04:03 The Larger Agenda and War on Public Education
04:59 Categorizing the Networks: Funders, Thinkers, and Foot Soldiers
07:45 Christian Nationalism and Its Political Machine
12:51 The Role of Spirit Warriors and Spiritual Warfare
16:56 Influence of Thinkers: Leo Strauss and Carl Schmitt
22:02 The Concept of a Red Caesar
31:24 Global Reactionary Movements and Religious Nationalism
37:38 The Role of Funders and Money in Politics
42:19 Pro-Democracy Initiatives and Individual Actions
46:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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