If you've been following world events, you know that Taiwan's future has become a major question, and a fulcrum for the future of democracy. Chris Horton is the author of "Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and Its Struggle for Survival," a new book that offers a unique view into Taiwan's complex history, its precarious present, and its potential futures. "Ghost Nation" is a must read for those interested in the future of democracy, not just in Asia but around the world, and Dave's conversation with Chris is a great introduction to this complex set of topics.

More info: https://chrishortonwriter.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Nation-Taiwan-Struggle-Survival/dp/1035034026

00:00 Introduction to Taiwan's Complex History

00:52 Meet Chris Horton: Author of Ghost Nation

03:15 The Dutch and Spanish Colonization

07:27 The Ming and Qing Dynasties

17:53 Japanese Rule and Modernization

23:48 The ROC and the 2-28 Incident

48:18 Martial Law in Taiwan: A Dark History

50:00 Democratization and Political Shifts

51:39 Taiwan's Identity and International Relations

01:00:56 Taiwan's Economic Transformation

01:04:10 TSMC: Taiwan's Semiconductor Giant

01:08:37 China's Military Threat and Taiwan's Defense

01:23:34 US-Taiwan Relations and Strategic Ambiguity

01:33:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we dive into geopolitical tensions, focusing on Russia’s influence on global politics and its ideological underpinnings. David Troy and Jason Pack from the Disorder Podcast discuss Russian nationalism, the continuity of Soviet-era tactics, and the extensive influence of Project Russia. The conversation also delves into the intersections with Western ideologies and strategies to combat disinformation, as well as the peculiar connection between Russian Cosmism and contemporary tech culture.

The Disorder Podcast - https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:51 Conversation with Jason Pack Begins

02:18 Russian Nationalism and Historical Context

03:40 Post-Soviet Russia and the KGB's Influence

10:27 Challenges of Democratization in Russia

18:24 Project Russia: Ideological Framework

26:18 Western Misunderstandings of Russian Motivations

29:10 The Essence of Project Russia

30:06 Bannon's Vision and Russian Interests

30:30 China's Role in the Ukraine War

31:52 Introduction to Russian Cosmism

32:40 The Origins and Ideas of Russian Cosmism

34:32 Cosmism's Influence on Modern Tech

37:51 Libertarian Ideologies and Russian Cosmism

40:51 Trump's Actions and Russian Interests

42:50 Chaos in Tariff Policies

45:56 Strengthening Democracy in the West

52:48 Engaging Global South Democracies

53:49 Conclusion and Future Vision

Journalist and political communications specialist Gil Duran joins Dave for a discussion of The Network State, the latest in a long line of Libertarian Exit ideologies. Based on the ideas of people like Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinavasan, and Curtis Yarvin, the movement ultimately aims to dismantle the American government in favor of a network of federated states, all competing for citizens. The ideology has found a home in the second Trump administration and is gaining momentum quickly. Dave and Gil discuss what it is, where it came from, and how to go about stopping its spread.

Interview starts at 02:47

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:05 Exploring the Network State Concept

02:47 Mainstream Media's Reluctance

03:40 Historical Context and Silicon Valley's Influence

04:42 Local Politics and Billionaire Influence

05:22 Acceleration of Network State Ideologies

07:54 Freedom Cities and Corporate Dystopias

11:59 Exit vs. Voice: Libertarian Ideals

17:36 Cultish Movements and Apocalyptic Visions

22:48 Autocracy Inc. and Global Implications

33:12 Bitcoin and Right-Wing Politics

34:02 Network State and Democracy

34:29 Media and Political Awareness

35:37 Democrats and Cryptocurrency

43:51 Technocracy and Historical Parallels

51:43 Substack vs. Ghost Platform

55:00 Future Political Landscape

01:02:45 Grassroots Movements and Conclusion

Links:

https://thenerdreich.com

https://x.com/gilduran76

https://theframelab.org