Jonah Goldberg talks Napoleon III’s rise and fall with historian Edward Shawcross
Host Jonah Goldberg interviews historian Edward Shawcross about the ascent and collapse of Napoleon III and its relevance to today’s politics.
The Remnant Podcast featured a 90-minute dialogue between host Jonah Goldberg and British historian Edward Shawcross. Shawcross, who earned his doctorate at University College London and specializes in French imperialism in Latin America, spoke about his latest work, The People’s Emperor, which chronicles Napoleon III’s unexpected rise and dramatic downfall. The interview examined whether the French emperor’s story signals the origins of modern political dynamics and drew parallels to current populist figures.
Goldberg and Shawcross also debated the tendency of populist rhetoric to blame elites and external actors. The episode offers a blend of historical analysis and commentary on today’s political climate, aiming to satisfy listeners’ curiosity about the era and its lessons.
Why it matters
The interview links a pivotal 19th-century regime to present-day political trends, helping listeners contextualize current populism.
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