S04 E18: Will Durant's Fallen Leaves: The Evolving Dance of Capitalism and Communism

In this insightful episode of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 18, we dissect the profound observations in Will Durant's 'Fallen Leaves', specifically focusing on his chapter 'On Capitalism and Communism'. Join us as we explore Durant's personal journey from devout radicalism to cautious liberalism, and his deep analysis of how human nature, particularly the acquisitive instinct and the urge to compete, shapes economic and political systems. We'll delve into the historical context of Russia's transformation and the nature of communism as a war economy, as well as the inherent virtues and drawbacks of both capitalism and communism. Discover how the welfare state, devised by Franklin Roosevelt, emerged as a "Hegelian synthesis" of these rival ideologies, aiming to mitigate capitalism's excesses while preserving its creative stimulus. This episode unpacks how these competing systems, despite their fundamental differences, exhibit surprising similarities and vie for global allegiance, all while being influenced by the enduring forces of human instinct and the ever-present threat of conflict.