Transcript: Fareed Zakaria, Author, “Age of Revolutions”
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Fareed Zakaria discusses his book 'Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present' in an interview with Max Boot for The Washington Post. Zakaria explains that the book took him 10 years to write and was inspired by the changing political landscape he observed in 2014, including the rise of the Tea Party and the disconnect between economic recovery under Obama and his approval ratings. The book explores historical revolutions, starting with the Netherlands in the 1600s, and their impact on politics and society. Zakaria argues that the Industrial Revolution was the most important event in world history, as it brought about unprecedented economic growth and transformed people's lives. He draws parallels between the Industrial Revolution and the current Information Revolution, both of which have caused significant political and social upheaval. Zakaria also discusses the backlash against globalization, technology, and identity politics, attributing it to the rapid pace of change and the emergence of post-materialistic values. He argues that the biggest challenge the U.S. faces is its internal disunity, manifested in a dysfunctional political system and the rise of Trumpism. Despite this, Zakaria remains cautiously optimistic about the future of liberal democracy in America.
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