Illiberalism, Populism, Central Europe, Class Alliances

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Kalmar, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, to explore the rise and spread of illiberal ideas in Europe and beyond.

Dr. Kalmar, whose work ranges from the study of Inuit language and computer mythology to the image of Muslims and Jews in Western culture, brings a wealth of insight from his latest book, White But Not Quite: Central Europe’s Illiberal Revolt. During the conversation, he discusses his personal experiences growing up in 1950s Czechoslovakia, the evolution of language and identity, and the ways in which capitalism, class alliances, and global trends in populism shape the political landscape today. The discussion also touches on topics such as the dynamics of post-communist Europe, the challenges of EU enlargement, and how cultural and economic factors intersect in debates about national identity and sovereignty.

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:36 – Growing Up in 1950s Czechoslovakia

3:08 – Language, Identity & Bilingual Upbringing

7:21 – Book Overview: Eastern European Illiberalism

10:10 – Global Illiberalism: West–East Dynamics & America's Shift

11:56 – Eastern European "ism": Unpacking Unique Prejudices

17:41 – Post–Cold War Divides: Exclusion from the Western Club

18:26 – Capitalism & Illiberalism: The Struggle for Capital

19:36 – Colonial Capitalism: Extraction of Labor & Resources

20:01 – Post‑1989 Capitalist Reconfiguration in Eastern Europe

20:29 – Voluntary Embrace & the Colonial Analogy

21:59 – EU Enlargement: Integration or New Dependency?

23:03 – Western Economic Dominance in Eastern Economies

24:29 – Core vs. Periphery: Geography of Capital and Illiberalism

26:00 – Domestic Core‑Periphery Dynamics: Urban Centers vs. Rural Backlash

28:20 – Perceptions & Projections: Illiberalism and Racial Stereotypes

29:01 – Provoking Illiberalism: Consequences of Western Policies

29:16 – Global South Comparisons: Extending Illiberal Trends

30:14 - Illiberalism in the Global South (Philippines, India, Indonesia)

32:23 - The Future of Illiberal Movements

33:04 - Lack of New Ideas from the Left

34:13 - Bernie Sanders and the Left’s Challenges

35:50 - Blind Spots in Western Political Science

36:07 - Class Analysis of Illiberalism

37:20 - The Alliance of the Very Rich and the Not-So-Poor

38:20 - Why Voters Support Illiberalism

39:05 - Elon Musk’s Endorsement of AfD in Germany

40:02 - Culture Wars: US vs. Central/Eastern Europe

40:40 - Comparing Poland to Germany vs. Russia

40:47 - Culture Wars in Central Europe

41:19 - "Gender Ideology" and Illiberal Rhetoric

42:16 - Nationalism: "Make America Great Again" vs. "Hungary First"

43:33 - The Ukraine War and Its Impact on Europe

44:05 - Ukraine’s Aspiration to Be Central European

45:20 - Risks of Exploitative Capitalism in Post-War Ukraine

46:27 - Could Ukraine Turn Illiberal After the War?

47:36 - EU Defense Autonomy and Illiberalism

48:25 - Why Illiberal Movements Support Russia

49:20 - Life Advice for Young People