The stage is set for a new WWI

John Burn-Murdoch: What's causing the fertility crisis?

May 21, 202629 minSummary

In this episode of UnHerd, host Freddie Sayers speaks with Financial Times chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch to examine a provocative new study from the University of Cincinnati. The research suggests that the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, starting around 2007, may be a primary driver of the global decline in fertility rates. Burn-Murdoch contextualizes these findings by acknowledging long-term historical shifts in population, such as urbanization and female workforce participation. However, he highlights a distinct, synchronized "step change" in birth rates across disparate cultures that coincides with the rise of personal digital devices. The discussion emphasizes that this shift is mirrored by a dramatic reduction in face-to-face social interaction among young people, as evidenced by time-use surveys. The conversation explores whether public policy, such as phone bans in schools or the restriction of social media for minors, could mitigate these trends. While acknowledging that these issues are complex and culturally deeply rooted, Burn-Murdoch expresses cautious optimism that a bottom-up, organic cultural backlash against the "slopification" of digital platforms might encourage people to return to more vital, in-person lifestyles.

Adrian Wooldridge: Why Labour should keep Starmer

May 12, 202653 minSummary

In this episode of UnHerd, host Freddie Sayers is joined by author and commentator Adrian Wooldridge to examine the current crisis of leadership within the UK Labour Party. The discussion centers on the growing instability surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration, which appears to be facing a collapse in support just eighteen months after winning a significant majority. Wooldridge argues that the current turmoil is not merely an isolated political failure, but a symptom of a broader, systemic malaise within Britain’s leadership institutions. He characterizes Starmer as a weak, proceduralist leader who has struggled to manage the civil service and party discipline. The conversation extends to the concept of a crisis of followership, noting that political figures today often prioritize factional interests over collective governance. Looking at the wider context, Wooldridge references his new book, Centrists of the World Unite, to discuss the historical fragility of liberalism. He maintains that while the current political class is in a state of decay, liberalism has repeatedly shown an ability to regenerate itself during periods of intense volatility, such as the late 19th century and the 1970s. The episode concludes with a reflection on the urgent need for a new intellectual and policy-driven synthesis to address the stagnation and institutional dysfunction currently gripping the country.

Orbán's defeat is not a liberal victory

Apr 13, 202627 minSummary

In this episode, the hosts analyze the significant parliamentary defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after sixteen years in power. Following a report from the ground by Aris Roussinos, the discussion challenges the prevailing narrative that this result represents a simple triumph for Western liberalism. The episode explores how the rise of the opposition party TISZA, led by Péter Magyar, signifies a rejection of the corruption and economic stagnation associated with the Orbán era, rather than a departure from nationalist or conservative values. Roussinos highlights that Magyar’s platform remains, in many respects, more hardline on issues like immigration than its predecessor. A key insight from the conversation is the distinction between different models of right-wing politics; the discussion suggests that the specific "illiberal" and Trump-aligned brand of populism—frequently criticized for cronyism and foreign interference—is being replaced by a more European-focused, nationalist vision. The episode concludes by reflecting on how these shifts in Central Europe might influence the future of conservative movements globally, suggesting that the era of transatlantic "Trumpian" populism may be waning in favor of a distinct, domestically focused European right-wing framework.