Is the West facing a deeper crisis of capitalism, militarism and imperial power?

In Episode 6 of The Southern Question, Ammar Ali Jan, Ameem Lutfi and Adeem Suhail examine the structural forces behind the growing global crisis, from unrest in France and Europe’s austerity policies to escalating conflicts in West Asia, the war in Ukraine, and the changing balance of global power.

Moving beyond explanations centred on immigration, political extremism or the crisis of liberal democracy, this conversation explores how militarism, imperialism and economic inequality are connected—and why the consequences are especially significant for countries across the Global South.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Crisis of the West: What do protests, political instability and social unrest reveal about the condition of Western societies?

• Militarism and Austerity: How can governments justify expanding military budgets while public services, schools and welfare systems face mounting pressure?

• War and Capitalism: How do military spending, arms industries and defence contracts shape modern economies?

• France and the Crisis of Democracy: The relationship between colonial history, state power, labour protests and the rise of the far right.

• Ukraine and West Asia: How do contemporary conflicts expose the connections between military power, economic interests and global politics?

• The Global South and Sovereignty: Why do industrial capacity, technological development, financial autonomy and national defence matter for countries facing external pressure?

• Imperialism and Development: Can countries build an independent developmental path amid global economic and military competition?

• The Future of Global Power: What can countries such as China, Cuba and Vietnam teach us about development, sovereignty and long-term strategy?

The discussion also examines the relationship between artificial intelligence, technology companies, military contracts and the changing political economy of war.

Rather than treating these crises as isolated events, this episode asks a larger question: Are militarism and war becoming central to the way the global economic order sustains itself?

Is the West facing a deeper crisis of capitalism, militarism and imperial power?

In Episode 6 of The Southern Question, Ammar Ali Jan, Ameem Lutfi and Adeem Suhail examine the structural forces behind the growing global crisis, from unrest in France and Europe’s austerity policies to escalating conflicts in West Asia, the war in Ukraine, and the changing balance of global power.

Moving beyond explanations centred on immigration, political extremism or the crisis of liberal democracy, this conversation explores how militarism, imperialism and economic inequality are connected—and why the consequences are especially significant for countries across the Global South.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Crisis of the West: What do protests, political instability and social unrest reveal about the condition of Western societies?

• Militarism and Austerity: How can governments justify expanding military budgets while public services, schools and welfare systems face mounting pressure?

• War and Capitalism: How do military spending, arms industries and defence contracts shape modern economies?

• France and the Crisis of Democracy: The relationship between colonial history, state power, labour protests and the rise of the far right.

• Ukraine and West Asia: How do contemporary conflicts expose the connections between military power, economic interests and global politics?

• The Global South and Sovereignty: Why do industrial capacity, technological development, financial autonomy and national defence matter for countries facing external pressure?

• Imperialism and Development: Can countries build an independent developmental path amid global economic and military competition?

• The Future of Global Power: What can countries such as China, Cuba and Vietnam teach us about development, sovereignty and long-term strategy?

The discussion also examines the relationship between artificial intelligence, technology companies, military contracts and the changing political economy of war.

Rather than treating these crises as isolated events, this episode asks a larger question: Are militarism and war becoming central to the way the global economic order sustains itself?