Beyond the Ballot Box

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Beyond the Ballot Box

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    How Close Are We to Nuclear War?

    The world today is at a crossroads. We’re seeing an escalation in conflicts and wars – Russia and Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, are just a couple of prominent examples. We’re seeing the rise of China as a economic powerhouse and with that the rise of tensions between the US and China. But what do these shifts mean, for the world and for Southeast Asia?  In this episode, we speak to Professor Jeffrey Sachs. He’s an economist from the US and the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. He’s been a key advisor to numerous heads of state and governments, including in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, providing guidance on economic reforms and development strategies. He’s also a passionate critic of US foreign policy.  In this episode, we discuss:• The Doomsday Clock (by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) and how it’s inching closer to midnight.• Some history and context for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.• The slow decline of the American empire and a shift to a multipolar world, driven by the rise of China and Asia as a whole. • What is the key divide between China and the US? When we look at post WWII and during the Cold War, the divide was between a free flowing capitalist system governed by Western financial institutions versus Marxist-Leninism that focused on strong central planning and closing off the economy to Western FDI. But today, even countries that carry red flags are part of the global capitalist system. What’s the differentiating factor in terms of development theory and practice?• While ASEAN is friendly with China and recognizes its significance and the importance of South-South solidarity, there is also genuine concern about sovereignty, the South China Sea, etc. How should ASEAN manage China? Image credit: Shutterstock (background) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship: What It Means for the Region

    Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse regions on the planet, encompassing over 650 million people across 10 member states with diverse cultures, languages, and political systems. Over the decades, the ASEAN region has transformed from a modest regional grouping into a significant economic powerhouse. Today, it is the fifth-largest economy in the world.  ASEAN is in an interesting juncture right now, with plenty of challenges and opportunities ahead – from navigating the civil war in Myanmar, unequal development across the region and the rise of China.  This month, Malaysia assumed Chairmanship of ASEAN. So, what could that mean for the country and the region? In this episode, we’re joined by Dato Dr. Ilango Karuppannan, former Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore. He’s an academic and has also contributed to literature, with publications focusing on Malaysia's foreign policy, ASEAN, and Malaysia-Middle East relations. Image credit: Shutterstock (background) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min

  3. JAN 9

    Witness the Unseen: How Corporations Exploit Land

    Landraub, directed by Kurt Langbein is a documentary that delves into the global issue of land grabbing, where vast amounts of land in developing countries in the global south, including countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are acquired by wealthy corporations from Europe and US. The film highlights the consequences of this practice towards local and indigenous communities.  Landraub will be one of the films screening at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen. It’s now going to be a fully online festival happening on the 9th - 12th January 2025.  If you’d like more information or would like to attend or support the festival, you can contact the organisers Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter (+60 11-6357 9375). Image credit: Langbein & Partner See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min

  4. JAN 7

    Witness the Unseen: Kurdish Resistance

    Have you watched a war film that was shot in an active war zone? The End Will Be Spectacular is a 2019 Kurdish-language film directed by Ersin Çelik, which tells the gripping story of the youth resistance in Sur, the historic district of Diyarbakır, Turkey, amidst the Turkish-Kurdish conflict.  The film is based on true events from 2015-2016, focusing on a young Kurdish woman named Zilan who returns to her hometown only to find it under siege. As she joins the local resistance, the film portrays the harsh realities of war, the spirit of defiance, and the sacrifices made by the Kurdish youth.  The End Will Be Spectacular will be one of the films screening at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen. It’s now going to be a fully online festival happening on the 9th - 12th January 2025.  If you’d like more information or would like to attend or support the festival, you can contact the organisers Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter (+60 11-6357 9375). Image credits: IMDb, Sheriff Cicek (IG) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min

  5. JAN 2

    Witness the Unseen: The Legacy of Thomas Sankara

    Sankara is Not Dead is a 2019 French documentary by Lucie Viver. The film follows Bikontine, a young poet from Burkina Faso, who embarks on a journey along the country's sole railway line after the uprising of 2014 against President Blaise Compaoré. Travelling from south to north, he engages with fellow citizens in cities and villages, exploring their dreams, disappointments, and the enduring legacy of former revolutionary left-wing president Thomas Sankara. Sankara is not Dead will be one of the films screening at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen. It’s now going to be a fully online festival happening on the 9th - 12th January 2025.  If you’d like more information or would like to attend or support the festival, you can contact the organisers Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter (+60 11-6357 9375). Image credit: IMDb See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  6. 12/19/2024

    How Israel Uses AI Technology in Genocide

    When many of us think of AI, we think of ChatGPT or self-driving cars. But with each passing day, AI is also used more and more in warfare. While proponents of the usage of AI in armed conflict cite operational efficiency, precision, and speed, the reality is often much different. It raises pressing ethical and legal questions including abuse and a lack of accountability. For example, AI has been used to speed up the Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We discuss this with Nour Naim, who’s a researcher in AI Ethics and the Executive Director of AI Minds Academy. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  7. 12/17/2024

    How Did Students in South Africa Fight For Free Education?

    Everything Must Fall is a 2018 documentary film by Rehad Desai, centered on South Africa's #FeesMustFall movement. The film provides a gripping account of the student-led protests that erupted across South African universities in 2015, demanding free, decolonized education and an end to systemic inequalities within higher education institutions.In this episode, we speak to Rehad Desai about his film and the student-led movement in South Africa.  Everything Must Fall is one of the documentaries that will be screened at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen, happening at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on the 9th - 12th January 2025. For more information, contact Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter at (+60 11-6357 9375). *Update(7/01/2025): As per the organiser, Everything Must Fall will no longer be part of the Witness the Unseen film festival, due to unforeseen circumstances. Image credits: MUBI, Rehad Desai (via The Left Berlin) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min

  8. 12/12/2024

    How Do We Bridge the Polarisation in Malaysia?

    We live in an increasingly polarised world. Ethnonationalism and other forms of right wing and ultra-conservative populist movements are on the rise in Malaysia and across the world. People are pushing further away from each other. Prejudice fuels political discourse. Why is this happening and what can we do about it? Dr Tee Chen Giap and Chew Zhun Yee, co-founders of the Malaysian Philosophy Society, join the show to talk about the issue of polarisation as well as the upcoming International Think Big Summit 2024, happening on the 15th of December, where these questions will be addressed. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
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As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

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