Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe by Niall Ferguson review
(Evening Standard) – From plagues and volcanic eruptions to the current Covid pandemic, mankind has always been faced with catastrophes.
Thought Leader: Niall Ferguson
David Frum: Why America Isn’t Rome
Mary Beard on history, myth, and the empire’s real lessons. Plus: the reemergence of fascism in America.
On this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with reflections on the misuse of history in today’s politics. He argues that fascism, once thought to have been buried by the Second World War, has reemerged in modern forms, thriving on the endless hunt for enemies, stoking culture wars, and exploiting new technologies. And he explains why the best antidotes remain liberty, equality, and sometimes humor.
Then David is joined by Mary Beard, one of the world’s foremost scholars of Rome and the author of the New York Times best seller Emperor of Rome, for a conversation about what the ancient world can teach us about current politics. They discuss how Roman emperors wielded power, why excess and corruption were baked into the system, and how fragile even the strongest-seeming regimes can be. Beard explains why myths about Roman grandeur persist, what daily life actually looked like under the empire, and what lessons modern democracies should (and should not) draw from Rome’s rise and fall.
David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, offers sharp, historically grounded insights into American conservatism, global politics, and the challenges of democratic governance. With his deep experience and fearless commentary, Frum is a compelling speaker for anyone seeking to understand the future of democracy at home and abroad. To book David Frum, contact WWSG.
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