In 2008, India was growing at 8.8% and was described as a miracle economy. It all went downhill in the next 10 years. Puja Mehra, author of The Lost Decade, joins Amit Varma in episode 116 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe the random events, political imperatives and human dramas that collided to bring us to the brink of a crisis. Also check out: The Lost Decade -- Puja Mehra DeMon, Morality and the Predatory Indian State -- ep 85 of The Seen and the Unseen Most of Amit Varma’s writing on D...
Apr 15, 2019•2 hr 51 min•Season 1Ep. 116
The ideology of Hindutva dominates our political and cultural landscape today. How did it begin, and what is it precisely? Aakar Patel, author of the forthcoming book Our Hindu Rashtra, joins Amit Varma in episode 115 of The Seen and the Unseen to shed light on three important Hindutva thinkers. Also check out: Hindutva – VD Savarkar Bunch of Thoughts – MS Golwalkar Integral Humanism – Deendayal Upadhyay Ayodhya: The Dark Night – Dhirendra Jha and Krishna Jha The Coffeehouse of Surat – Leo Tolst...
Apr 08, 2019•2 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Why is crime ubiquitous in Indian politics? Why is your neta also a dada? Political scientist Milan Vaishnav joins Amit Varma in episode 114 of The Seen and the Unseen to speak about the incentives in play that have brought us to this place. Also check out: When Crime Pays -- Milan Vaishnav The Grand Tamasha -- Milan Vaishnav's podcast You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios...
Apr 01, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 114
The formation of Bangladesh was neither inevitable nor a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. Historian Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma in episode 113 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe the geopolitical forces that shaped those events of 1971. Also check out: 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh -- Srinath Raghavan The Blood Telegram -- Gary Bass Uncle Sam in South Asia -- episode 93 of The Seen and the Unseen, with Srinath Raghavan Understanding the India-Pakistan ...
Mar 25, 2019•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Who were the first Indians? Where did the Harappans go? Who were the Aryans? Whose descendants are we? Tony Joseph joins Amit Varma in episode 112 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe how massive scientific advances in the last few years have given us answers to these questions. Also check out: Early Indians -- Tony Joseph Who We Are and How We Got Here -- David Reich You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/andro...
Mar 18, 2019•2 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 112
What are the hidden dynamics of the India-Pakistan conflict? What are the possible ways of resolving it? Historian and foreign policy analyst Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma in episode 111 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the game theory and geopolitics of this messy situation. Also check out: Srinath Raghavan's books on Amazon Unlike Vajpayee & Manmohan, PM Modi thinks prudence in conflict is a self-imposed fetter -- Srinath Raghavan Uncle Sam in South Asia -- ep 93 of The Seen and the U...
Mar 11, 2019•2 hr 54 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Venezuela is a country blessed by nature but cursed by politics. Journalist Alexandra Ulmer joins Amit Varma in episode 110 of The Seen and the Unseen to share her insights from her years as a reporter there. Also check out: - Alexandra Ulmer's homepage Alexandra Ulmer for Reuters Crude Nation: How Oil Riches Ruined Venezuela -- Raúl Gallegos Hugo Chávez: The Definitive Biography -- Cristina Marcano & Alberto Barrera Tyszka Comandante: Inside Hugo Chavez's Venezuela -- Rory Carroll Hell of a Fie...
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Should we care about philosophy in these modern times? Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein joins Amit Varma in episode 109 of The Seen and the Unseen to argue that we should -- and Plato's Dialogues illustrate why. Also check out: Plato at the Googleplex -- Rebecca Goldstein You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios...
Feb 25, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 109
India is rapidly urbanizing – and the Indian state seems to be in denial about it. Reuben Abraham and Pritika Hingorani join Amit Varma in episode 108 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss what India needs to do to prepare for its urban future. Also check out: India’s a Land of Cities, Not Villages -- Reuben Abraham and Pritika Hingorani How cities, not states, can solve the world's biggest problems -- Robert Muggah and Reuben Abraham Reclaim the Sky -- Episode 11 of The Seen and the Unseen, on ...
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Host Amit Varma is joined by Vivek Kaul and Kumar Anand in episode 107 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about the economic landscape of the day. Subjects discussed include the interim budget, the minimum income guarantee, the jobs crisis and how good politics leads to bad economics. Also check out: - Here Is Why the Indian Voter Is Saddled With Bad Economics -- Amit Varma - Politics = Bribery -- Amit Varma and Kumar Anand - Show us the money: Will Rahul Gandhi’s MIG-19 fly? -- Vivek Kaul Budge...
Feb 11, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 107
In his latest book, Stubborn Attachments, Tyler Cower lays out a moral vision for the future. He joins Amit Varma in episode 106 of The Seen and the Unseen to explain why future lives matter as much as present ones, and why our priorities should be centered around sustainable economic growth constrained by negative rights. Also check out: Stubborn Attachments by Tyler Cowen. Marginal Revolution . The Marginal Revolution University Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit. The Odyssey by Homer, transl...
Feb 04, 2019•45 min•Season 1Ep. 106
In the second of a two-part series, historian Ramachandra Guha joins Amit Varma in episode 105 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about Mohandas Gandhi's transformation into Mahatma Gandhi -- and how that changed the world. Among the subjects discussed: caste, misogyny and Gandhi's personal obsessions Also check out: Ramachandra Guha's books on Gandhi, Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World . You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IV...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most fascinating characters in history: complex, misunderstood, deeply impactful. Ramachandra Guha, author of two acclaimed biographies of the man, joins Amit Varma in episode 104 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the first 45 years of Gandhi's life, before he returned to India to catalyse the Indian freedom struggle. Do check out: Ramachandra Guha's books on Gandhi, Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World . You can listen to this show an...
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 104
The Emergency of 1975 was not an aberration, but was written into the DNA of the Indian state. Historian Gyan Prakash joins Amit Varma in episode 103 of The Seen and the Unseen to shed light on why the framers of the constitution gave such draconian powers to the state -- and why we may not have become so free in 1947 after all. Also read: Emergency Chronicles by Gyan Prakash on Amazon. Shruti Rajagopalan on our constantly changing constitution. (Aug 2015) The Evil of Family Planning (Dec 2014) ...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Shashi Tharoor, author of The Paradoxical Prime Minister, joins Amit Varma in episode 102 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about the many faces of Narendra Modi, as well as the nature of politics, the idea of India and his own journey as a politician. Also read: The Paradoxical Prime Minister on Amazon, as well as Shashi Tharoor's other books . The Facts Do Not Matter -- Amit Varma No Free Trade For Horses -- Ep 13 of The Seen and the Unseen, on the Anti-Defection Law. You can listen to this s...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 102
We tend to take progress for granted, and are wired to focus on bad news instead of good. Steven Pinker joins Amit Varma in episode 101 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about why the world is getting better, and why Enlightenment values are essential for ensuring that the trend continues Also check out: Enlightenment Now and The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker. It is Daft to Worry About Inequality --Amit Varma You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcast App on Android: ...
Dec 31, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 101
The Seen and the Unseen reaches 100 episodes! Yea! Economist Shruti Rajagopalan, the most frequent guest on the show, joins host Amit Varma as they shoot the breeze about the 99 episodes before this, the horrors of 2018, and the further horrors of 2019. Also check out: These past episodes with Gunvant Patil , Vikram Doctor , Harsha Bhogle , Gideon Haigh+Prem Panicker , Rajesh Jain , Vishwanath S , Parth Shah , Amit Chandra , Alex Tabarrok , Naveen Noronha , Kumar Anand , Vivek Kaul , Ashok Malik...
Dec 24, 2018•2 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 100
A democracy is not merely about voting. Those who are voted into power need to be kept in check, and Rules and Institutions are essential for this. Foreign policy analyst Ameya Naik joins Amit Varma in episode 99 of The Seen and the Unseen to elaborate -- and to explain the danger that Donald Trump poses. Also check out: Why Both Modi and Trump are Textbook Populists - Amit Varma Ek Baar Jo Maine Commitment Kar Di - Amit Varma Trade Deficits (and Trumpism) - Episode 73 of The Seen and the Unseen...
Dec 17, 2018•2 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 99
When people think of the Deccan, they think Shivaji vs Mughals. But the history of the Deccan is far richer than that -- and far racier. It's full of lust and laughter, murder and madness, sex and senselessness. Historian Manu S Pillai joins Amit Varma in episode 98 of The Seen and the Unseen to tell that fascinating story. Also check out: Manu S Pillai's book Rebel Sultans, on Amazon and on Juggernaut The Indianness of Indian Food -- ep 95 of The Seen and the Unseen You can listen to this show ...
Dec 10, 2018•2 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In his three-decade career covering cricket, Harsha Bhogle has had an inside view on the transformation of the game. He joins Amit Varma in episode 97 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about how cricket has changed – and why it gives him hope. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcast App on Android: https://goo.gl/tGYdU1 or iOS: https://goo.gl/sZSTU5 You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com Also check out : How Money Changed Cricket -- Ep 41 of T...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 97
The world evolves in a bottom-up way, despite the top-down beliefs of those who have blind faith in either God or Government. Matt Ridley joins Amit Varma in episode 96 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe the evolution of the universe, life, culture, language, cities, the economy, our minds, our future and more. Also check out : The Evolution of Everything -- Matt Ridley Other books by Matt Ridley: The Rational Optimist , Genome , The Origins of Virtue Matt Ridley's Homepage What Does It Mean...
Nov 26, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 96
What does it mean when we say that something is 'Indian'? Does origin matter? Food writer Vikram Doctor joins Amit Varma in episode 95 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about how most of what we think of as Indian food originated elsewhere -- and it doesn't matter. Also check out The Real Food Podcast on Audiomatic
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Rajesh Jain was one of the architects of Narendra Modi's win in 2014 -- and then got buyer's remorse and turned against the BJP. Now, he has launched Dhan Vapasi, an insanely ambitious and innovative attempt at disrupting Indian politics. He joins Amit Varma in episode 94 of The Seen and the Unseen to explain where he's coming from. Note : The first half of the show is about Jain's political journey before this: supporting Modi, changing his mind etc. The conversation about Dhan Vapasi starts at...
Nov 12, 2018•2 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 94
For over 200 years, America has been interested in South Asia across three separate axes: power, ideology and culture. Historian Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma in episode 93 of The Seen and the Unseen to provide a guided tour of this fascinating history. Also read: The Most Dangerous Place: A History of the United States in South Asia .
Nov 05, 2018•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Will the #MeToo movement change behaviour by changing incentives? Economist Shruti Rajagopalan joins Amit Varma in episode 92 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about Criminal Economics in the context of crimes on women in India. Also check out : Changing the Costs for the Rational Sexual Predator : Shruti Rajagopalan in Mint Men Must Step Up Now : Amit Varma's ediotrial in Pragati The Importance of #MeToo : Episode 90 of The Seen and the Unseen Metrics of Empowerment : Episode 88 of The Seen an...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 92
The crisis at IL&FS reveals just how rotten India's financial system is. Vivek Kaul and Ashutosh Datar join Amit Varma in episode 91 of The Seen and the Unseen to demystify the problem. Also check out : DeMon, Morality & the Predatory Indian State -- Episode 85 of The Seen and the Unseen The DNA of the NPA -- Episode 32 of The Seen and the Unseen It's Time to Stop Buying LIC Policies -- Vivek Kaul LIC Should Not Rescue IL&FS -- Vivek Kaul Slay This Indian Hydra -- Andy Mukherjee How IL&FS Was En...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 91
#MeToo is the most important cultural moment of our lifetimes. Supriya Nair and Nikita Saxena join Amit Varma in episode 90 of The Seen and the Unseen to share their insights. Also check out : Hostile Climate: Nikita Saxena (Feature on RK Pachauri) #MeToo is anarchic, and that’s a good thing : Supriya Nair Metrics of Empowerment : Episode 88 of The Seen and the Unseen Claiming Your Space : Episode 76 of The Seen and the Unseen One Bad Law Goes, but Women Remain Second Class Citizens : Amit Varma...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Are journalists redundant in a world where no one cares about facts any more? Are we to cater to people's imagined realities? And when money and power come together, how are Independent journalists to resist? Sidharth Bhatia of The Wire and Peter Griffin of The Hindu join Amit Varma in episode 89 of The Seen and the Unseen. Also check out : The State of the Media : Episode 46 of The Seen and the Unseen, with Prem Panicker The Facts Do Not Matter -- Amit Varma...
Oct 08, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 89
The lives of women in India must be gradually getting better, right? How do we measure this? Devika Kher, Nidhi Gupta and Hamsini Hariharan join Amit Varma in episode 88 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss a range of possible metrics. Also check out : Where Are the Jobs ? -- Episode 87 of The Seen and the Unseen, with Yazad Jal Claiming Your Space -- Episode 76 of The Seen and the Unseen, with Aditi Mittal & Swati Bakshi Take Cities to the Women -- Devika Kher Frailty, Thy Name is Public Polic...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 88
India has entered a massive jobs crisis, with more than a million people coming into the workforce every month -- and not enough jobs. Will our Demographic Dividend be a Demographic Disaster? Yazad Jal of the 20 Million Jobs project joins Amit Varma in episode 87 of The Seen and the Unseen to give insight on the scale of the problem. Also check out : The Jobscape -- Yazad Jal 20 Million Jobs : Episode 48 of The Pragati Podcast The Coming Jobs Crisis : Episode 20 of The Seen and the Unseen Namita...
Sep 24, 2018•57 min•Season 1Ep. 87
