We define a state as the entity that has a monopoly on violence. But does political authority lead to political legitimacy? How do we define legitimacy? What happens without it? How should we approach it as citizens.

Welcome to Episode 98 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Ajay draws from political philosophy to expand on the intricacies of the concept of political legitimacy. And at the end, Amit gives an impassioned monologue on why it may not even matter in India!

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: A Vacation & an Education03:07 Chapter 1: What is Legitimacy?11:53 Chapter 2: Where Does Legitimacy Come From?19:39 Chapter 3: What Goes Wrong Without Legitimacy?26:41 Chapter 4: What Public Choice Theory Tells Us32:57 Chapter 5: Legitimacy for an Ideologue36:36 Chapter 6: How to Increase Legitimacy44:35 Chapter 7: Amit Gives Context and Nuance55:33 Chapter 8: Recommendations

For full show notes, please click here.

We often assume that art and genius are the playground of the youth. Well, while giving himself an education in art during a vacation in Spain, Amit realised that all the great Spanish masters did their most powerful work in old age, when thehraav met mastery. The light in winter is different.

Welcome to Episode 97 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit expands on his observation about the artistic possibilities of old age, while introducing the lives and work of Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. Also featured: Salvador Dali, U2, Bob Dylan, Penelope Fitzgerald and Wim Wenders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: A Vacation & an Education04:34 Chapter 0: Museums and Narratives07:26 Chapter 1: Diego Velázquez and Lal Meninas19:32 Chapter 2: Francisco Goya and the Black Paintings31:42 Chapter 3: Pablo Picasso Likes to Play47:56 Chapter 4: Joan Miró Strips It Down54:47 Chapter 5: More Late Mastery1:04:51 Chapter 6: Recommendations

For the full awesome show notes, click here!

Last week, we went through a 101 of globalisation: the first principles, why it rocks, why tariffs are terrible. We also did a potted history of how it spread and almost unravelled. Now, it’s time to come to these current times.

Is globalisation doomed?

Welcome to Episode 96 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Ajay brings the narrative up to the present times. What GATT and the WTO achieved, why they weren’t enough, where the fault lines lie, the problem of China, and the damage the Trump tariffs can cause.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Need for a 10102:43 Chapter 1: The Aftermath of Smoot-Hawley10:34 Chapter 2: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About GATT (But Were Afraid to Ask)20:28 Chapter 3: Some Wrinkles to Consider55:43 Chapter 4: The Trumpist Arguments1:05:41 Chapter 5: The Trump Tariffs1:14:54 Chapter 6: What Next?1:18:11 Chapter 7: India’s Opportunity1:25:29 Chapter 8: Recommendations

For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, ⁠⁠click here⁠⁠.