A Historian of the Future: Five More Questions for Stephen Kotkin

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ค. 2024
  • Recorded on February 10th, 2023.
    Historian Stephen Kotkin became the Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution in 2022. He taught at Princeton for more than 30 years, and is the author of nine works of history, including the first two volumes of his biography of Joseph Stalin, Paradoxes of Power, 1878 to 1928 and Waiting for Hitler, 1929 to 1941. He is now completing the third and final volume. Since the war in Ukraine broke out a year ago, Kotkin has appeared regularly on Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson to offer his unique perspective on the Russian aggression and answer five questions for us. This is the third installment.
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ความคิดเห็น • 553

  • @ActFast
    @ActFast ปีที่แล้ว +689

    I wish you would have Stephen Kotkin on every week! The world needs him right now. 🌍

  • @colt45acp1000
    @colt45acp1000 ปีที่แล้ว +183

    I taught German language for 47 years. I tried to weave into it history and culture. As time progressed, I became aware of how political the teaching of history had become. How does one teach history honestly in the current hyper political environment?

    • @noahway13
      @noahway13 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Each era had its political environment that discouraged any opposition. The change is, this seems to be a headless monster. The whole of society has a phobia about anyone saying anything 'negative' about them. And there is not one person you can pin on this "McCarthyism"

    • @ericposey-vt5ej
      @ericposey-vt5ej 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

      very late reply, but I think it's a mistake to expect history to be seperate from politics, because politics is part of history (integral part). The key is to have the bravery (or foolhardiness) to speak honestly regardless of the political landscape. To speak truth to power. And that also requires the bravery to both be wrong and accept being wrong.

  • @thor.odinson.
    @thor.odinson. ปีที่แล้ว +444

    Pesci *ahem* Kotkin is a true realist not a fatalist like Kissinger or Mearsheimer. The best thing about Stephen Kotkin is he can answer any question no matter how trivial or complex and the perspective from which he sees the world is always fresh and exciting, every answer has some golden nugget of knowledge that is an absolute pleasure to learn. I'd love to see him talking about Ukraine with Timothy Snyder, the brilliance and the IQ in that dialogue would be breathtaking...

    • @warrenny
      @warrenny 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Pesci. Nice. Was thinking same.
      This is one of my favorite interviews on this channel. Really like Stephen Kotkin.

    • @michaelh3857
      @michaelh3857 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      He is a fan, advocate of military might as the exercised by the United States. He does not know who the Russians are....He says nothing of the Victoria Nuland power grab....He has never been to war...a historian full of hot air.

  • @martijnlukas4225
    @martijnlukas4225 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    It's absolutely amazing to hear these great minds. The sheer knowledge of Professor Kotkin and the astonishing interviewing skills of Peter Robinson are a great joy to listen to. As someone else mentioned before; setting up the table, a warm cup of tea and a blanket of wisdom. I have shared the link with many friends and peers already.

  • @davidfutcher9609
    @davidfutcher9609 ปีที่แล้ว +145

    I'm stunned! This is my first time listening to Kotkin, and what an amazingly insightful person he is. He doesn't come off as being left wing or right wing, just reality-based. I was fortunate enough to have had an amazing teacher who understood history and what its power really was, not memorizing dates, which installed a love of history that is still with me some 50 years later.

    • @pondacres
      @pondacres 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I could relate, I had a hs history teacher like that too.

  • @izaryterska3024
    @izaryterska3024 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    Talks with Stephen Kotkin, I always watch two to three times, savouring his understanding of the world. Absolute treat! Thanx for that.

  • @teamheartpower442
    @teamheartpower442 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    What I love about this guy is that he sounds exactly like Joe Pesci, it's like I'm getting a history lesson by the mob.

    • @liechinmannorman5140
      @liechinmannorman5140 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      He looks like Pesci's twin and his credibility is in doubt with his interpretation of the war in Ukraine.

  • @johnpayne7873
    @johnpayne7873 ปีที่แล้ว +138

    Peter Robinson's gift is he knows how to set a cozy table; how to make intricate topics go down smoothly with delicious confections and warm tea.
    Stephen Kotkins' talent is the knows how to work the announcer's box in a ballgame; how to read the man on the mound as outfield mills around, able to pick each one out and name what's distracting them.
    My complements to you both.
    A very satisfying visit. Please do it again, soon.

  • @Bigspli
    @Bigspli ปีที่แล้ว +76

    I love this guy he explains complex ideas that can easily be digested

    • @doscassette871
      @doscassette871 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      If you cannot explain a complex concept in plain terns you don't understand it

  • @davidlcaldwell
    @davidlcaldwell ปีที่แล้ว +190

    I am a Huge Stephen Kotkin fan. Please have him on more often. We need his Wisdom and Humor.

  • @JagadanandaDas
    @JagadanandaDas 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +38

    Excellent questioning. I like that quotations and asking a succinct question that requires a broad base. And then lets him talk. Peter Robinson is one of the best interviewers.

    • @JagadanandaDas
      @JagadanandaDas 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      And Kotkin is so clear in his explanations.

  • @bigtone667
    @bigtone667 ปีที่แล้ว +315

    I love the fact that Stephen describes current situations in a basic descriptive way (no word olympics). The 10 bedroom house versus the 1000 bedroom house just makes sense.
    A lot of great questions as well.

  • @ukraina91
    @ukraina91 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    I'm a simple man, I see a Stephen kotkin video, I automatically like it!

  • @ay2052
    @ay2052 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +51

    What a marvelous human being- learned, sensible, rational, decent, humility

  • @socrates6870
    @socrates6870 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Aa a Central European I have much respect for this man...we need more man like him on both sides of the Atlantic to make Atlanticism work for future generations...

  • @SnowBalling
    @SnowBalling ปีที่แล้ว +99

    I could listen to Stephen Kotkin speak for 10 hours straight. What a brilliant person he is.

  • @tdschetzle6898
    @tdschetzle6898 ปีที่แล้ว +179

    Okay, it took me 2 days to absorb this presentation. I have to say it's one of the best presentations I have ever seen on several subjects: Ukraine, Russia, China, Taiwan and a quick reference to the American system's self correcting abilities. Well done, gentlemen, and thank you so much!

  • @hamburgerjoe4401
    @hamburgerjoe4401 ปีที่แล้ว +229

    He really breaks it down in a clearer way than I think anyone else.

  • @aryaasya546
    @aryaasya546 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    This is one of the best political interviews I have ever seen. Thanks Prof. Kotkin.

  • @davidcollins7556
    @davidcollins7556 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    Excellent survey of the Ukrainian situation. This Chanel is the jewel of TH-cam.

  • @Mr.Altavoz
    @Mr.Altavoz 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +36

    I wish he had a TH-cam channel... it's such a pleasure to hear this professor talking about any subjects✌️🇨🇱

  • @user-xh4ql9sl3m
    @user-xh4ql9sl3m ปีที่แล้ว +71

    This is the most enlightening interview I’ve seen in a very long while. Thank you to you both.

  • @Pie-qs4yg
    @Pie-qs4yg 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Wow what a brilliant mind, this man needs to be an adviser to our political leaders.

  • @edwardwong654
    @edwardwong654 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Stephen kotlin is wonderful to listen to, His son is a fellow high school alum.

  • @Ravenflight104
    @Ravenflight104 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    A fine display of balanced, rational intelligence. Thank you, gentlemen.

  • @purplesheep99
    @purplesheep99 ปีที่แล้ว +188

    Always great to see Kotkin. Stephen is a superb guest. He should get his own show.

  • @Qcqful
    @Qcqful ปีที่แล้ว +51

    Stephen is a diamond.
    Polished one at that.
    Trully rare.

  • @lynngilbert1596
    @lynngilbert1596 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    When I went through Stanford, Western Civ was a required course lasting 9 months. It was largely intellectual history, readings of important writers. My idea today would be to require a year of SOME area’s history but allow choice among the Americas, Asia, Africa, or Europe. We need a wider view than just the US or Europe.

  • @stevefrayne
    @stevefrayne ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Thank you SO much for having THE BEST GUEST EVER on again. During the Ukraine war I really suggest you have him on every 1-2 months. His insight into everything Russia is peerless. He is a national treasure.
    Thank you, Dr. Kotkin for everything you do. We love you.

  • @cecillekinnear4585
    @cecillekinnear4585 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I'm fascinated by the topic of authoritarian governance. Steven gets to the heart of the matter.

  • @malsietah9403
    @malsietah9403 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I always love and enjoy to listen to Stephen Kotkin

  • @billhayward1585
    @billhayward1585 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'm less worried about our world after watching this interview. Thank you.

  • @bogdanbaudis4099
    @bogdanbaudis4099 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    The cost of the reconstruction of Ukraine may be also measured against the FUTURE size of Ukrainians economy. After all, not many expected post-WW2 Germany to end up as the economic powerhouse of Europe and many questioned the wisdom of the Marshall's Plan.

  • @cichociemny247
    @cichociemny247 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Stephen Kotkin is an intellectual badass. Best wishes from Poland ;)

  • @aftabnaveed
    @aftabnaveed 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +33

    It is always a pleasure to listen to such a great intellectual and Peter Robinson is such a great host who never will interrupt his guest.

  • @nealljones
    @nealljones ปีที่แล้ว +126

    Let's do an interview twice a week with Kotkin. He's so terrific!!!

  • @Djaybird
    @Djaybird ปีที่แล้ว +74

    I remember watching these interviews a year ago. They are what kicked off nearly an entire year of watching and reading literally everything i can on russia/ukraine and geopolitics. Thank you!

  • @danielramon962
    @danielramon962 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

    Such an extraordinary, deep and substancial interview... really grateful indeed!

  • @UNATCOHanka
    @UNATCOHanka ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Another great interview with Kotkin. I didn't even notice that 1½ hours have passed so thumbs up to Peter and Stephen.

  • @duggi4
    @duggi4 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    the problem is that the more you swipe and scroll through Social Media, the more you train your brain to FORGET instead of reading and imagining and training our brain to remember. The more people are hooked on Social Media the more they swallow whatever the screen feeds them not having the ability to remember the policies or world events of History.

  • @annakrystynastankov3781
    @annakrystynastankov3781 ปีที่แล้ว +60

    More of Kotkin as often as possible pls. .. so so sane and thoughtful!!

  • @MagnusElpron
    @MagnusElpron ปีที่แล้ว +64

    Couldn't click faster !
    Can't get enough of Professor Kotkin, thank you

  • @Octaviamorris77
    @Octaviamorris77 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This man explained this war in almost 2 hours in detail and for a layman to understand. The media, newspapers and the US Government are still trying too explain it and make it make sense. This man is brilliant.

  • @mikisileoni
    @mikisileoni 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Kotkin is so amazing, thank you!

  • @michaelross2107
    @michaelross2107 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    A truly fascinating discussion. I could have listened to several hours more of this. Thank you.

  • @Drumsgoon
    @Drumsgoon ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Always epic to hear him speak. Hope he finishes the triology!

  • @swham1
    @swham1 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    This really is a special show. Uncommon Knowledge is a treasure.

  • @geopietro
    @geopietro ปีที่แล้ว +178

    Great discussion. Intelligent. Insightful. Thought provoking. Thank you.

  • @randomcommenteronyoutube1055
    @randomcommenteronyoutube1055 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Stephen Kotkin? Drop everything in my life and watch as soon as possible.

  • @motorhead4446
    @motorhead4446 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    You know ... I could sit here all day listening to Professor Kotkin. A big thanks to everyone who make clips like these possible

  • @carolgiangreco6548
    @carolgiangreco6548 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Bravo to an expert educator. Thank you.

  • @clairebaum
    @clairebaum ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Please invite Professor Kotkin soon,we need him badly at the moment !

  • @lennyFeb01March04
    @lennyFeb01March04 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Absolutely amazing! Nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you.

  • @iggle6448
    @iggle6448 ปีที่แล้ว +129

    Excellent interview Mr Robinson; excellent answers Prof Kotkin. You both have such erudition and insight.

  • @briancase6180
    @briancase6180 ปีที่แล้ว +126

    This show / interview series has both delighted me and infuriated me. That's just the way it should be! More Kotkin; I'm always interested in his perspective. Thanks!

  • @jordomayor5224
    @jordomayor5224 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I think that these type of shows should be broadcasted all over the world and in every language possible.

  • @vdove605
    @vdove605 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Brilliant conversation gentlemen! Many thanks for sharing it with us!! ✨️

  • @nathanngumi8467
    @nathanngumi8467 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    Very profound discussion! Prof. Kotkin is a rare breed of scholar and intellectual. I am not sure that with education standards dwindling in USA and elsewhere in the West another Kennan or Kissinger or Kotkin will be produced anytime soon.

  • @MrMarccj
    @MrMarccj 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Steven Kotkin often leaves me gasping for breath.

  • @user-lj2hd8in6t
    @user-lj2hd8in6t ปีที่แล้ว +25

    The best interview I ever see and hear in my life time. I am 75 this year. Thanks to both, as well as HT & CR.

  • @evaburnz
    @evaburnz ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Kotkin is a marvel.

  • @denillefleming2942
    @denillefleming2942 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Kotkin has an astounding knowledge of history, and can weild it effectively!

  • @assonancex
    @assonancex ปีที่แล้ว +33

    This was a truly awesome interview. Thank you chaps.

  • @paulmilligan3007
    @paulmilligan3007 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    Thank you. I find it hard to watch more than 15mins of anything on the internet and I watched all 1 hour 30 mins. Thank you both.

  • @tualastancil8534
    @tualastancil8534 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    It's always a joy listening to this great man of history thankyou professor best regards from Samoa.

  • @burnsloads
    @burnsloads 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    His hindsight is 20/20 but boy is he contemporarily 100% blind.

  • @frommeralfred
    @frommeralfred ปีที่แล้ว +29

    It is not true that Germany sends only a single digit number of tanks. They will send 14 Leopoard 2 A6 and 178 Leopard 1 A5 (together with Denmark and Netherlands). German contributions to the war effort are usually misrepresented and undervalued. This is mainly due to the German government being terrible at communication. If you look at the numbers, Germany is, in fact, second biggest supporter of Ukraine after the US (miliatry, financial and humanitarian aid).

  • @littlebirdie2
    @littlebirdie2 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Excellent! Bring him back for another enlightening round!

  • @user-fs7df1xg9v
    @user-fs7df1xg9v 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    Stephen is the Joe Pesci of geo politics.

  • @shad00w239
    @shad00w239 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    OK first of all - if you don't invite this man back I'm full on rioting 😂.
    On a more serious note, I've been watching a lot of geopoliticians and historians lately but this conversation has reminded me why I need to go back to being a full on - book reading and consuming - student of history. It's not for everyone, God knows its not for everyone, but for those of us that have a love for it, we cannot lose that. In whatever capacity we can muster, we are going to have to be the stewards for future society to steer away from the mistakes of past millennia. Technology and industry has changed and evolved at break neck speeds, but the human condition has remained constant throughout a remarkable span of time.
    We have to remember that we can give humanity new toys to play with, but they will always remain human. That is our greatest strength and our greatest weakness, and those of us who can study the human condition across history, can shepherd us into a future worth protecting. God Bless these Titan's of intellectual thought sharing their wisdom with the masses. These episodes are criminally under watched for such a crucial moment in history, but the information is nevertheless a breath of fresh air in a chaotic world where history is afoot, and times are changing.
    Thank you for these questions, thank you for committing to more, please come back soon, we are patiently waiting for the next episode. Until next time.

  • @cavscout888
    @cavscout888 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    I liked this a lot. Definitely want to hear more from him!

  • @kanweiwu7339
    @kanweiwu7339 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    The outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war has serious consequences on the peaceful existence among all Asian nations, especially between Mainland China and Taiwan.

  • @lioicomestai3703
    @lioicomestai3703 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Kotkin toppled my concept of hitory. When a talented historian display his narrative of main current affair, Kotkin lifted the topics with your intelligence and with pop culture taste that benefit the most.
    [谷歌翻譯] Kotkin 推翻了我的歷史概念。當一位才華橫溢的歷史學家展示他對主要時事的敘述時,科特金用他的智慧和最受益的流行文化品味來提升話題。

  • @tonysaldana5866
    @tonysaldana5866 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Amazing information about history and current events. Really enjoyed listening.

  • @garbonomics
    @garbonomics ปีที่แล้ว +154

    Another great one Peter. Still up there with one of my favorite interview shows. Always fantastic guests with incredible insights.

  • @briangaines3693
    @briangaines3693 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Stephen’s house analogy sounds like a landlord’s worst nightmare

  • @bofink5377
    @bofink5377 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank You for this, the most sofisticated political discussion, that I almost ever have heard.

  • @suitnskull8255
    @suitnskull8255 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    What a fulfilling talk. Just brilliant!

  • @briancarl5566
    @briancarl5566 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Huge fan - I've learned so much from Prof. Kotkin over the last year, and even read both of his Stalin books after being exposed to his work through these videos. Thank you and glad to hear he is with Hoover now full time!!!

  • @6663000
    @6663000 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    Wow!
    I just rewatched the two previous conversations with Stephen Kotkin yesterday, and now there's finally a new one after like 11 months!
    I must be pretty lucky.

  • @mostlygreen1
    @mostlygreen1 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I think maybe Americans don't realise the lack of homogeneity in Europe. This chat treats Europe as if it's all the same, but with different languages. In fact there are huge differences in both political spectrum and their policy focus e.g. the UK is staunchly pro-Ukraine and looks to former colonies, France is ambivalent on Ukraine considers North Africa as part of its sphere, but Hungary couldn't care less about places out of Europe and is fairly pro Putin. A joint army would be crippled by a lack of consensus on foreign policy.

  • @HarryOrenstein
    @HarryOrenstein ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Prof. Kotkin articulates, what needs to be said
    ♡-felt
    Thank you

  • @p.d.stanhope7088
    @p.d.stanhope7088 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    One of your best shows.

  • @Alex.Kalashnik
    @Alex.Kalashnik ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you so much for the excellent analysis on Ukraine!

  • @mr.majestic8713
    @mr.majestic8713 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    This was simply outstanding. 🤔🧐

  • @MAM1000W
    @MAM1000W ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Robinson sets up those questions so well!

  • @eoinoconnell185
    @eoinoconnell185 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Always one of my favourite guests

  • @bobmathieson987
    @bobmathieson987 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    I love this guy Steven Kotkin in the same way a happy plant loves the sun.

  • @MarkM001
    @MarkM001 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    That was really good! Thank you!

  • @christinezaslavsky647
    @christinezaslavsky647 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    So glad to see him joining the greats at Hoover!

    • @ridethecurve55
      @ridethecurve55 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      'They' are joining The Great (Stephen Kotkin)!

  • @denzelamarus5259
    @denzelamarus5259 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Marvelous discussion

  • @rogeranderson8116
    @rogeranderson8116 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Stephen Kotkin provides the most riveting analysis of the situation I've ever seen. Thanks to all for doing this! I hope someone would ask Mr. Kotkin to be Secretary of State.

  • @lastshelter5550
    @lastshelter5550 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    He’s an intelligent man & aware of a lot that he cleverly avoids pointing out but overall, very difficult to disagree with

  • @bearcat729
    @bearcat729 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Thank you both. Spot on leaving us with a idea for a course of action of our own. Very well done both.

  • @olya3391
    @olya3391 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a treat. Thank you very much.

  • @ellenstoll7158
    @ellenstoll7158 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Excellent!

  • @johnl5316
    @johnl5316 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    love this dude!

  • @Alexander-ef5hb
    @Alexander-ef5hb ปีที่แล้ว +8

    More like Stephen GOATkin - he is simply the best!! 🐐

  • @tarek9513
    @tarek9513 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome once again! #WeWantMore

  • @homeschoolontheCroft
    @homeschoolontheCroft ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Clicked the 👍🏼 button before I even began to listen… we just know it’s going to be a wonderful listen with Mr Kotkin!