Utopia and Terror in the 20th Century
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Utopia and Terror in the 20th Century
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Narrated by:
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Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
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Written by:
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Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
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The Great Courses
About this listen
From the trenches of World War I to Nazi Germany to Saddam Hussein's Iraq, the 20th century was a time of unprecedented violence. Yet while such monumental violence seems senseless, it is not inexplicable. If we can understand the origins of violence, we may prevent even greater horrors in the century to come.
These 24 necessary lectures trace the violent history of the 20th century, beginning with its early roots in the American and, especially, the French revolutions. With each passing lecture, you will see how the 20th century's-violence was the result of specific historical developments that eventually combined, with explosive results.
You'll see how
- the French Revolution proved that ideological movements could mobilize the public and, through violence, transform society;
- the Industrial Revolution and subsequent technology created vastly more powerful weapons; and
- Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection was perverted into Social Darwinism and eugenics.
The most sinister development of all, however, was the notion that utopia was not just a perfect paradise to look forward to in the afterlife. Instead, utopia could be built right now, in this life. Such 20th-century ideologies as Marxism, Nazism, Communism, and Fascism embraced this idea willingly - even enthusiastically - and used terror to implement it.
You'll see how leaders of totalitarian governments act as mobsters, and how regimes create fear and command allegiance through the use of bureaucratic "machines," such as the cult of the leader, secret police, and the media. In the final lectures, Professor Liulevicius considers recent figures such as Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and assesses terrorism in the contemporary world.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great CoursesWhat listeners say about Utopia and Terror in the 20th Century
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- carrie
- 2019-12-19
Wow
Extremely useful and relevant to people today. I also recommend this to anyone trying to understand history and totalitarian regimes, but are tired of ideologues spinning history for their own benefit, condemning one violent regime while condoning or even aiding another.
This professor is insightful and humane, two traits necessary for understanding anything social in a useful and helpful way. I will be purchasing his other lectures too. He was just exemplary. My best purchase next to gulag archipelago.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JC Scott
- 2021-08-20
Fascinating and insightful
Incredibly relevant portion of history to us today. Even though this is not the distant past, we are seeing a resurgence in these extremist utopian ideologies. While I was listening, the similarities struck me as eerie. Much of the rhetoric and tactics used in the past from right and left groups are being employed today. The presenter was insightful, thoughtful, and empathetic. I was amazed by the information I learned throughout this series and how much history I didn't know. Will be looking up other lectures by this presenter and adding them to my library.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Exanime
- 2018-04-24
Fantastic program and very entertaining
if "entertaining" is an acceptable word for a long story of horror. the pace of the lecture is fantastic, i couldn't stop listening
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Fabrice Saenger
- 2020-04-24
a very partisan account
This book is too western-centre. It talks about the ideology of fascism, nazism and communism and the crimes committed in their name. I do not want to minimize the crime made in the nane of those ideologies who are truly horrific. They deserve to be denounced and studied. But what about capitalist dictator like Pinochet? The ideology of capitalism and the human abuse made in its name should not be ommited like that.
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1 person found this helpful