SUMMARY:

Tyler Cowen converses with Fareed Zakaria about his new book “Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present,” discussing Zakaria’s influences, ideas, and insights on various topics.

IDEAS:

• Fareed Zakaria credits Hushan Singh for instilling a love of language and writing.
• Intellectual curiosity and broad reading habits marked Zakaria’s early years.
• Zakaria’s father chose secular democracy over religious nationalism in India.
• The Soviet Union’s rapid industrialization influenced Indian socialist leanings.
• The Anglican Book of Common Prayer taught Zakaria reverence for tradition.
• Zakaria grew up speaking Hindi and Urdu, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity.
• Partition of India is viewed as a loss of cosmopolitanism and diversity.
• Mumbai remains India’s most cosmopolitan city, reflecting its diverse population.
• Indian Muslims’ lack of radicalization is attributed to India’s syncretic nature.
• Zakaria learned political skills and the challenges of politics at Yale.
• The “Clash of Civilizations” essay by Huntington was published under Zakaria.
• Zakaria’s Newsweek essay post-9/11 explored Arab world’s failed modernization.
• Oil wealth is seen as a barrier to modernization in Middle Eastern countries.
• Singapore’s lack of corruption is attributed to institutionalized best practices.
• Classical liberalism is under threat from various populist and illiberal forces.
• The Dutch Golden Age is considered the start of modern politics and economics.
• China and India’s historical GDP size is misleading regarding modern progress.
• Writing online wine reviews for Slate was an attempt to engage non-wine drinkers.
• Television offers a platform for impactful communication despite constraints.
• Zakaria balances fame with a fulfilling personal life focused on family and friends.

INSIGHTS:

• Early exposure to intellectual figures can profoundly shape one’s passion for knowledge.
• Socio-political ideologies can be deeply influenced by historical alliances and economics.
• Cultural practices often stem from structural and institutional decisions, not just heritage.
• The rise of identity politics post-Cold War reflects a retreat to traditional affiliations.
• Modernity’s success has led to disruptive changes, fueling populist backlash globally.
• Historical economic statistics must be contextualized to understand true progress.
• Media visibility offers opportunities for influence but requires careful time management.
• Personal relationships and grounded values remain central in a life of public engagement.

QUOTES:

• “He gave me this real love of the language and love of poetry that I still have to this day."
• "I’ve always been intellectually very curious… I get fascinated by ideas."
• "My father chose Nehru’s vision of secular democracy as the foundation of a nation."
• "The whole generation of Indians… were imbued with… a symbiosis because these were your friends."
• "The central message of Christianity… be nice to the people who have been less fortunate than you."
• "Political elites love the idea that political elites get to direct the economy."
• "The first shall be last and the last shall be first in the Kingdom of Heaven."
• "I think that culture is a very big grab bag… you can always find something that explains either failure or success."
• "The most important thing you can do is to try and write books that make a difference."
• "I’ve tried to stay honest with myself… be the best representation I can of myself.”

HABITS:

• Zakaria cultivated an early habit of reading broadly beyond his peers’ scope.
• Engaging with influential figures shaped his intellectual development and writing skills.
• Maintaining intellectual curiosity has been a lifelong pursuit for Zakaria.
• Actively participating in political debates honed his argumentative skills at Yale.
• Writing books is considered the most significant and challenging endeavor for him.
• Balancing media presence with personal life is a conscious effort for Zakaria.
• Prioritizing family and close friends over fame-driven social networks is key.
• Reflecting on personal roles, especially as a father, is part of his routine self-assessment.
• Staying grounded in gratitude for opportunities and luck shapes his daily perspective.
• Managing time effectively to accommodate professional and personal commitments is crucial.

FACTS:

• Hushan Singh was considered the most famous journalist in India about ten years ago.
• The Dutch Golden Age marked the first instance of modern politics and economics.
• China and India had the largest economies circa 1800 due to their large populations.
• The Left Right political divide originated from seating arrangements during the French Revolution.
• Singapore combats corruption by paying bureaucrats close to market wages.
• The West has been significantly more advanced than the rest of the world since the 16th century.
• The British preference for Bordeaux wines was influenced by tariff policies, not culture.
• Dubai, with minimal oil wealth, has become the most modern city among Gulf States.
• Iran’s struggle with modernization is partly due to oil wealth impeding societal progress.
• The rise of Western modernity coincides with significant advancements in science and industry.

REFERENCES:

• “Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present” by Fareed Zakaria
• The Illustrated Weekly of India, where Zakaria’s mother worked
• George Orwell, writer who influenced Zakaria
• Henry Kissinger’s memoirs, which Zakaria read at age 14
• The Anglican Book of Common Prayer
• Tom Holland’s book “Dominion”
• Yale Political Union, where Zakaria honed his debate skills
• Samuel Huntington’s essay “The Clash of Civilizations”
• Newsweek, where Zakaria wrote post 9/11 essay
• Slate, where Zakaria wrote online wine reviews

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Cultivate intellectual curiosity by reading broadly across various subjects and genres.
• Engage with mentors who can instill a passion for language, writing, and ideas.
• Explore historical influences on current socio-political ideologies for deeper understanding.
• Recognize the role of identity politics in shaping global conflicts post-Cold War.
• Cherish classical liberalism to preserve progress in human history against populist threats.
• Contextualize economic statistics within historical frameworks for accurate analysis.
• Balance media visibility with personal life to maintain authenticity and relationships.
• Embrace opportunities while staying grounded in gratitude and personal values.
• Prioritize family and close friendships over transient fame-driven connections.
• Manage time effectively to fulfill professional ambitions without neglecting personal life.