Episode 354: From Order to Chaos: The Unraveling of the Post-Cold War Dream

In this episode of New Persuasive Words, we trace the dramatic rise and fall of the liberal democratic order that shaped the world after the Cold War. Between 1988 and 2003, liberal democracy flourished, free trade expanded, and a rules-based international order took root. But by 2014, that world was coming apart. We explore how the 2008 financial crisis, endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the meteoric rise of authoritarian China shattered the pillars of the old consensus. And we follow the thread through the global convulsions of 2014—Putin’s annexation of Crimea, Modi’s election, ISIS’s rise, and the wave of right-wing populism that would soon sweep across Europe and America. Now, in the era of Trump’s second act, we consider what it means to live in a “shadow world”—where liberal democracy shades into authoritarianism, free trade gives way to protectionism, and power, not principle, shapes international relations. It’s a story of transformation, disillusionment, and the uncertain road ahead. Much of the insights from this podcast come from Rory Stewart's recent conversation with Jon Stewart. You can watch the conversation here.