National debates, international takes: In Un-American, I invite experts from abroad to share their perspectives on U.S.-related issues and to add new angles to inherently American conversations.
Hosted by Kai Schnier
Music by sam_o.b (https://www.instagram.com/sam_o.b/)
Artwork by The Aliens (https://thealiens.online/)
Follow Un-American on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unamerican_pod/) for episode updates!
For decades, centrist parties ruled the (Western) world. But that time is long gone. While right-wing governments are diligently translating their dystopian fantasies into action, moderates are clinging to a business-as-usual approach—and to the rather conservative instinct that “the left” must be kept at bay. For sociologist and activist Nika Kovač, this can mean only one thing: progressives have to finally deliver. They must build movements, overcome status-quo politics, and hold the centri...
18 Aug 2025
Orbán, Trump, and the Road to Autocracy
If the second term of the Donald Trump administration has shown anything so far, it’s that democratic institutions and norms aren’t self-evident. They can be reshaped, undermined, and even destroyed if a government is determined to do so. Hungarian sociologist and former politician Gábor Scheiring learned this lesson as early as 2010. As a member of the oppostion party “Politics Can Be Different” he watched strongman Viktor Orbán take office—and then methodically turn Hungary into an autocrac...
30 Dec 2024
What's Wrong With the West: Perspectives from the Global South
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the West has found itself plunged back into its Cold War mindset: you're either with it or against it, you either fight for democracy or stand with autocracy. However, in Africa, South America, and Asia, governments are becoming increasingly fed up with following Washington’s and Brussels’ lead. Does this mean the Global South stands by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping? According to Professor of Global Governance Rita Kiki Edozie, the answer is more complex...
28 Nov 2024
Republicans Had Their Revolution: Why Haven't Democrats?
Oxford professor Jane Gingrich and philosopher Nancy Fraser explore why the Democratic Party has failed to reinvent itself and confront its shortcomings, despite the Republican Party's steady rightward shift.
29 Oct 2024
Escalation to What End? Israel’s War of Retaliation and U.S. Complicity
Working toward reconciliation instead of seeking retaliation: Israeli peace activist Noy Katsman does what the Netanyahu government has never sought to do. In this episode he talks about the radicalization within Israeli society, the shortcomings of the American debate on its ally in the Middle East and the importance of retaining empathy towards one’s alleged enemy. Quoted in this episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Moshe Dayan, Rashid Khalidi, David Klion, Ezra Klein, Slavoj ŽižekMentioned in t...
29 Sept 2024
Elections as Entertainment: The Commodification of Political News
British-Australian media studies scholar Toby Miller talks about the symbiosis of entertainment and politics, the role of U.S. mainstream media in turning elections into sports and the influence of capital on news reporting.Music by sam_o.bArtwork by The Aliens
26 Aug 2024
A Canadian Take on Police Violence and Police Reform
Former police chief Devon Clunis, who joined the Canadian Police Service in 1987 and later became the Chief of Police for the City of Winnipeg, shares his perspective on police violence and the need for police reform. Music by sam_o.bArtwork by The Aliens
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