Niall Ferguson on Why We Study History | Conversations with Tyler

While the modern historical ethos can be obsessed with condescending to the past based on our current value system, Scottish-born historian Niall Ferguson has aimed to set himself apart with his willingness to examine the past in its own context. The result is some wildly unpopular opinions such as “The British Empire was good, actually” and several wildly popular books, such as his latest Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe.

Niall joined Tyler to discuss the difference between English and Scottish pessimism, his surprise encounter with Sean Connery, what James Bond and Doctor Who have in common, how religion fosters the cultural imagination to produce doomsday scenarios, which side of the Glorious Revolution he would have been on, the extraordinary historical trajectory of Scotland from the 17th century through the 18th century, why historians seem to have an excessive occupation with leadership, what he learned from R.G. Collingwood and A.J.P. Taylor, why American bands could never quite get punk music right, Tocqueville’s insights on liberalism, the unfortunate iconoclasm of John Maynard Keynes, the dystopian novel he finds most plausible, what he learned about right and left populism on his latest trip to Latin America, the importance of intellectual succession and building institutions, what he’ll do next, and more.

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Thumbnail photo credit: Zoe Law

[ohalloranjames]

tyler this is one of the best interviews with ferguson ive heard in some time. you really got him to open up repeatedly on interesting themes. thanks for this.

[louisventer]

Huge fan of Niall and really appreciate Tyler for having such a great interview.
Niall Ferguson has had a tremendous impact on my thinking

[roberthumphreys]

Niall's comments about the difference between libraries and Google are the best distinction between the two I have heard. Absolutely spot on. Cataloging for the good of readers and patrons instead of for advertisers; ads are so intrusive on the user experience now in both search and video viewing that they drastically diminish the quality of the experience. And, as any avid reader knows, books will continue to be preferred by those who are serious about knowledge and understanding.

[CarlosMartins-spud]

Great conversarion. I wish Niall gave more open interviews like this. I really appreciate his books. Having said that I appreciate his intelectual view of the world in general even more. So to have the opportunity to speak on unexpected topics (books, places, events) its a treat.

[TomfromExeter]

Best interview I’ve heard in ages. Eclectic, erudite and very entertaining.

[notlimey]

A quirky interview that quickly becomes a superb example of the interviewer’s art

[prism]

I have never seen anyone asking better questions than Tyler Cowen.

[angusmcangus]

Niall is absolutely right about the affinity between Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I have always thought there are little cultural differences. I’m a Scot but 25% Irish, my wife is Welsh. I too am happy and comfortable in any of the three countries. ‘Not England’ is a very apposite name for the whole Celtic fringe of the British Isles. That said, I’m very happy to be British and I agree with Niall that independence for Scotland or Wales is ridiculous now.

[angusmcangus]

What a terrific conversation. Thank you.

[majozishow]

Beautiful interview! Got to learn new things about Niall. He's a very fascinating academic.

[wilcoreg]

The jam, The clash, The damned and The buzzcocks... a man with taste!

[daviddurkan]

Niall's breadth of knowledge is genuinely unmatched today amongst public intellectuals. What a superstar

[elijaguy]

we study history because the amusing refreshing lovely stories about love and creativity from the past give us courage for the present and future.

[Jamesgarethmorgan]

Absolutely brilliant. What a wonderful man. And well done Tyler.

[supersolid]

I don't think I ever appreciated Ferguson's sense of humor enough.

[lincolnshaw]

What a great interview. Straight to the point.

[martinjohnson]

2:50–sounds like Ferguson draws a line across the British Isles around 1066, Norman v Celtic

[bambi]

Indeed great questions! I may wish to see a little bit more interaction or feedback from Tyler or may not. Excellent still

[mikegray]

Excellent conversation. Thanks chaps !

[leanmchungry]

I enjoyed his associations to the various authors, I'm a bit surprised he was into punk. Ferguson's got a bit of violence in him though, could be a Scottish thing, that and the institution building are sure to strike terror in his enemies hearts.