As the recent sexual harassment case indicates, all is not well with the Supreme Court of India. Constitutional economist Shruti Rajagopalan joins Amit Varma in episode 123 of The Seen and the Unseen to explain why the Supreme Court has gone wrong on both ends of the tradeoff between Independence and Accountability. Also read: Justice Is Dead, Long Live the Justices -- Shruti Rajagopalan Imagine No Possessions -- Episode 26 of The Seen and the Unseen Fixing Our Judicial System -- Episode 62 of T...
Jun 03, 2019•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Elections in India are madly complex, and defy simple explanations. Sadanand Dhume joins Amit Varma in episode 122 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the Age of Modi, and what these elections mean for India, the BJP and the Congress party. Also check out: Sadanand Dhume's bio and archives The Questions That Election 2019 Leaves Us With -- Amit Varma Beware of the Useful Idiots -- Amit Varma Amit Varma's writings+podcasts on DeMon, in one twitter thread The Intellectual Foundations of Hindutva...
May 27, 2019•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Governments consist of people, and people respond to incentives. For this reason, there is no better way to understand government than through the tools of economics. Episode 121 of The Seen and the Unseen is a rerun of an old episode of The Pragati Podcast, in which Amit Varma introduces Pavan Srinath to the mindblowing insights of Public Choice Theory. Also check out: What Does It Mean to Be Libertarian? -- ep 64 of The Seen and the Unseen Public Choice: A Primer -- Eomonn Butler Politics With...
May 20, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Conventional wisdom holds that there are three ways to respond to injustice by the state: we may leave, complain, or comply. Philosopher Jason Brennan joins Amit Varma in episode 120 of The Seen and the Unseen to argue that there is a fourth option: to resist. Also check out: When All Else Fails -- Jason Brennan The Milgram Experiment 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...
May 13, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Despite being a Congress spokesperson, economist Salman Soz was hopeful in 2014 that the Modi government would be good for India. As the title of his new book indicates, that turned out to be quite The Great Disappointment. Soz joins Amit Varma in episode 119 of The Seen and the Unseen to elaborate on the many economic failures of the Modi government. He also tackles tough questions on the Congress party. Also check out: The Great Disappointment -- Salman Soz India's Lost Decade -- Ep 116 of The...
May 06, 2019•1 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 119
The Indian economy has the seeds of a horror film, with zombies stalking the landscape. Air India is one. Jet could have been another had it been rescued. Economist Ajay Shah joins Amit Varma in episode 118 of The Seen and the Unseen to explain the importance of creative destruction, and why failing firms should be allowed to die. Also discussed: price controls and market failure. Do check out: Making Sense of Airline Troubles -- Ajay Shah Lessons from the RCom Mess -- Ajay Shah A Great Churning...
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 118
In a sense there have always been but two political philosophies: liberty and power.” David Boaz. author of The Libertarian Mind, joins Amit Varma in episode 117 of The Seen and the Unseen to explain what libertarian thinking stands for, and to bust some of the misconceptions around it. Also check out: The Libertarian Mind -- David Boaz The Libertarian Reader -- edited by David Boaz What Does It Mean to Be Libertarian? -- ep 64 of The Seen and the Unseen (w. Amit Varma) Every Act of Government I...
Apr 22, 2019•2 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 117
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•1 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•1 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•1 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 t...
Mar 11, 2019•1 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...
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•1 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•1 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•1 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
