Ep. 27: Political Analysis & Debate: Dr. Volker Weiss (Historian & Author, Hamburg)

Guest: Dr. Volker Weiß – Historian, Author, Hamburg Hosts: Efe & Philip Bio: Dr. Volker Weiß is a historian, journalist, and leading analyst of authoritarian and far-right movements in Germany and beyond. He studied literature, social and economic history, and psychology at the University of Hamburg, later teaching in Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich. In 2021, he was Guest Professor at the Institute for Contemporary History, University of Innsbruck. Weiß writes for major outlets such as Die Zeit, taz, and Süddeutsche Zeitung. His 2017 book Die autoritäre Revolte. Die Neue Rechte und der Untergang des Abendlandes (The Authoritarian Revolt: The New Right and the Decline of the West) was nominated for the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. His latest work, Das Deutsche Demokratische Reich. Wie die extreme Rechte Geschichte und Demokratie zerstört (2025) (The German Democratic Reich: How the Extreme Right Destroys History and Democracy), topped the German nonfiction bestseller lists. His research explores contemporary authoritarianism through historical continuities and ideological frameworks. In this Episode: Efe and Philip speak with Dr. Weiß about the Israel–Palestine conflict within the broader context of global authoritarianism and the “authoritarian revolt.” He unpacks concepts such as metapolitics and cultural hegemony, tracing how extremist ideas migrate across eras and regions. The discussion examines intersections between far-right ideologies and current debates around Israel, antisemitism, and the Gaza escalation since October 7. Dr. Weiß outlines ideological parallels between far-right movements in Germany, Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, showing how historical alliances, nationalism, and identity politics shape modern conflicts. The conversation also touches on media polarization, the political use of antisemitism, and how narratives around Hamas and Israel are mobilized by various actors. Offering both historical and contemporary insights, Dr. Weiß situates these dynamics within the long arc of democratic erosion and extremist revival. This episode was recorded June 12, 2025. Links: Weiß, Volker. Massaker und Message. Süddeutsche Zeitung, 30 Oct 2023https://tinyurl.com/2rud6ut7 Weiß, Volker. Die autoritäre Revolte: Die Neue Rechte und der Untergang des Abendlandes. Klett-Cotta, 2017https://tinyurl.com/44443drd Weiß, Volker. Das Deutsche Demokratische Reich: Wie die extreme Rechte Geschichte und Demokratie zerstört. Klett-Cotta, 2025https://tinyurl.com/5adj9u7w Please also check out other episodes in our political debate chapter for multiple perspectives. Disclaimer: Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team. Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 with Prof. Claus Kreß; contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.