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

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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Пікірлер: 553

  • @thor.odinson.
    @thor.odinson. Жыл бұрын

    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 ай бұрын

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

  • @michaelh3857

    @michaelh3857

    11 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @ActFast
    @ActFast Жыл бұрын

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

  • @martijnlukas4225
    @martijnlukas4225 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @ragged_claws_scuttling

    @ragged_claws_scuttling

    Жыл бұрын

    Ik ook!

  • @colt45acp1000
    @colt45acp1000 Жыл бұрын

    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 ай бұрын

    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 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @davidfutcher9609
    @davidfutcher9609 Жыл бұрын

    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

    11 ай бұрын

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

  • @izaryterska3024
    @izaryterska3024 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @JagadanandaDas
    @JagadanandaDas Жыл бұрын

    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

    Жыл бұрын

    And Kotkin is so clear in his explanations.

  • @Bigspli
    @Bigspli Жыл бұрын

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

  • @doscassette871

    @doscassette871

    11 ай бұрын

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

  • @johnpayne7873
    @johnpayne7873 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @bigtone667
    @bigtone667 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @teamheartpower442
    @teamheartpower442 Жыл бұрын

    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 ай бұрын

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

  • @davidlcaldwell
    @davidlcaldwell Жыл бұрын

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

  • @tdschetzle6898
    @tdschetzle6898 Жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @ukraina91
    @ukraina91 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @ay2052
    @ay2052 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @malsietah9403
    @malsietah940311 ай бұрын

    I always love and enjoy to listen to Stephen Kotkin

  • @Mr.Altavoz
    @Mr.Altavoz Жыл бұрын

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

  • @davidcollins7556
    @davidcollins7556 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent survey of the Ukrainian situation. This Chanel is the jewel of KZread.

  • @user-xh4ql9sl3m
    @user-xh4ql9sl3m Жыл бұрын

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

  • @danielramon962
    @danielramon96211 ай бұрын

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

  • @Pie-qs4yg
    @Pie-qs4yg Жыл бұрын

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

  • @stevefrayne
    @stevefrayne Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @Drumsgoon
    @Drumsgoon Жыл бұрын

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

  • @hamburgerjoe4401
    @hamburgerjoe4401 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @aryaasya546
    @aryaasya546 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @SnowBalling
    @SnowBalling Жыл бұрын

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

  • @MagnusElpron
    @MagnusElpron Жыл бұрын

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

  • @mikisileoni
    @mikisileoni11 ай бұрын

    Kotkin is so amazing, thank you!

  • @Qcqful
    @Qcqful Жыл бұрын

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

  • @aftabnaveed
    @aftabnaveed Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @Ravenflight104
    @Ravenflight104 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @cichociemny247
    @cichociemny247 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @cecillekinnear4585
    @cecillekinnear45859 ай бұрын

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

  • @edwardwong654
    @edwardwong65410 ай бұрын

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

  • @purplesheep99
    @purplesheep99 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @geopietro
    @geopietro Жыл бұрын

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

  • @annakrystynastankov3781
    @annakrystynastankov3781 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @UNATCOHanka
    @UNATCOHanka Жыл бұрын

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

  • @lioicomestai3703
    @lioicomestai3703 Жыл бұрын

    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。

  • @carolgiangreco6548
    @carolgiangreco654810 ай бұрын

    Bravo to an expert educator. Thank you.

  • @michaelross2107
    @michaelross2107 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @iggle6448
    @iggle6448 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @vdove605
    @vdove60510 ай бұрын

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

  • @Djaybird
    @Djaybird Жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @briancase6180
    @briancase6180 Жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @swham1
    @swham111 ай бұрын

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

  • @lennyFeb01March04
    @lennyFeb01March04 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely amazing! Nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you.

  • @nealljones
    @nealljones Жыл бұрын

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

  • @randomcommenteronyoutube1055
    @randomcommenteronyoutube1055 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @evaburnz
    @evaburnz Жыл бұрын

    Kotkin is a marvel.

  • @MrMarccj
    @MrMarccj3 ай бұрын

    Steven Kotkin often leaves me gasping for breath.

  • @littlebirdie2
    @littlebirdie211 ай бұрын

    Excellent! Bring him back for another enlightening round!

  • @nathanngumi8467
    @nathanngumi8467 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @bogdanbaudis4099
    @bogdanbaudis4099 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @billhayward1585
    @billhayward1585 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @tualastancil8534
    @tualastancil8534 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @clairebaum
    @clairebaum Жыл бұрын

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

  • @user-lj2hd8in6t
    @user-lj2hd8in6t Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @tonysaldana5866
    @tonysaldana5866 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @assonancex
    @assonancex Жыл бұрын

    This was a truly awesome interview. Thank you chaps.

  • @paulmilligan3007
    @paulmilligan3007 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @christinezaslavsky647
    @christinezaslavsky647 Жыл бұрын

    So glad to see him joining the greats at Hoover!

  • @ridethecurve55

    @ridethecurve55

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @cavscout888
    @cavscout888 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @garbonomics
    @garbonomics Жыл бұрын

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

  • @Octaviamorris77
    @Octaviamorris77 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @bofink5377
    @bofink5377 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @motorhead4446
    @motorhead4446 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @denillefleming2942
    @denillefleming2942 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @shad00w239
    @shad00w239 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @socrates6870
    @socrates687011 ай бұрын

    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...

  • @suitnskull8255
    @suitnskull825511 ай бұрын

    What a fulfilling talk. Just brilliant!

  • @jordomayor5224
    @jordomayor5224 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @6663000
    @6663000 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @duggi4
    @duggi411 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @briangaines3693
    @briangaines369311 ай бұрын

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

  • @lynngilbert1596
    @lynngilbert15969 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @MAM1000W
    @MAM1000W Жыл бұрын

    Robinson sets up those questions so well!

  • @p.d.stanhope7088
    @p.d.stanhope708811 ай бұрын

    One of your best shows.

  • @ellenstoll7158
    @ellenstoll7158 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent!

  • @Alex.Kalashnik
    @Alex.Kalashnik Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for the excellent analysis on Ukraine!

  • @martinneukomm8697
    @martinneukomm8697 Жыл бұрын

    95 views Thank you Professor Kotkin!

  • @mr.majestic8713
    @mr.majestic8713 Жыл бұрын

    This was simply outstanding. 🤔🧐

  • @bobmathieson987
    @bobmathieson987 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @eoinoconnell185
    @eoinoconnell18511 ай бұрын

    Always one of my favourite guests

  • @HarryOrenstein
    @HarryOrenstein Жыл бұрын

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

  • @MarkM001
    @MarkM001 Жыл бұрын

    That was really good! Thank you!

  • @denzelamarus5259
    @denzelamarus5259 Жыл бұрын

    Marvelous discussion

  • @kanweiwu7339
    @kanweiwu7339 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @olya3391
    @olya3391 Жыл бұрын

    What a treat. Thank you very much.

  • @culmore170a
    @culmore170a10 ай бұрын

    Wonderful questioner amazing professor. So educational

  • @zetapaz9653
    @zetapaz9653 Жыл бұрын

    Such a smooth watch and very insightful. Uncommon knowledge goes to those who wish to obtain it. Bravo

  • @ChrisSmith74627
    @ChrisSmith74627 Жыл бұрын

    Love Kotkin!!!

  • @bearcat729
    @bearcat729 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @teddinardo8944
    @teddinardo894411 ай бұрын

    excellent show thank you

  • @briancarl5566
    @briancarl5566 Жыл бұрын

    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!!!

  • @chrishooge3442
    @chrishooge3442 Жыл бұрын

    History is better than fiction...well, maybe not science fiction. My love of history began in 7th grade when I found the Time Life Books about WWII in the school library. My learning began with those large picture books. I found that most people just don't take a historical perspective when they look at current issues or questions. Though, my kids roll their eyes when I say, "Well, if you take a historical perspective..."

  • @francretief1
    @francretief1 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful. Thanks for letting Stephen talk with not many interruptions.

  • @user-fs7df1xg9v
    @user-fs7df1xg9v9 ай бұрын

    Stephen is the Joe Pesci of geo politics.

  • @neruda4paz
    @neruda4paz Жыл бұрын

    Phenomenal interview. One constructive feedback - Peter, you have a very low octave voice (lovely as it is), and it is often hard to hear you in these interviews, while the guests are much easier to hear. I listen to these while working in the shop and find myself often having to scramble to wash my hands & turn the volume up to max to hear you (Peter). Could you possibly have your mic volume increased? Absolutely love Uncommon Knowledge. Thanks for the consideration, if you see this.

  • @homeschoolontheCroft
    @homeschoolontheCroft Жыл бұрын

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