The Origins of Modern China; Is Trump “Lost”? America, Home of the . . . Squatters? | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

The Origins of Modern China; Is Trump “Lost”? America, Home of the . . . Squatters? | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

Author: Hoover Institution February 14, 2026 Duration: 51:02
Unlike the romanticized tale the Chinese Communist Party tells of itself—long marches and a long game of outlasting and outwitting its foes—the early years of the CCP were ones of unrepentant violence and a rise to power made possible only with external help. Frank Dikötter, the Hoover Institution’s Milias Senior Fellow and author of the forthcoming book, Red Dawn over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity, joins GoodFellows regulars Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster to discuss what shaped the CCP from the years 1921–1949, plus parallels between Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong in terms of amassing power, purging rivals, and practicing economics and geopolitics. After that: the fellows debate the assertion by a New York Times columnist that Donald Trump has “lost the country,” as well as how much faith to put in economic indicators, plus songstress Billie Eilish’s belief that “no one is illegal on stolen land.”   Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today’s biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

Every week, three of the Hoover Institution's most incisive minds gather for a freewheeling discussion that cuts through the noise. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics brings together senior fellows John Cochrane, Niall Ferguson, and H.R. McMaster. Their expertise spans financial markets, historical analysis, and international security, creating a unique dialogue that connects past patterns to present crises and future risks. You'll hear them grapple with the profound social shifts, economic pressures, and strategic realignments defining our era, moving beyond daily headlines to examine the deeper forces at play. This isn't a scripted presentation but a genuine conversation, often punctuated by thoughtful disagreement and unexpected connections. The result is a consistently engaging and substantive podcast that offers listeners a rare blend of scholarly depth and accessible discourse. Tune in for a weekly dose of clarity and long-view perspective on a world that feels perpetually in flux.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
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