<![CDATA[Graeber's Debt - Everyday Anarchism]]>3b59b539-299e-511f-b939-27216274714aWed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:57 +0000Captivate.fmGraham Culbertsonhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/da99d182-d8d8-4ffb-80a8-7026e2f7b177/IG_WCQ0Abb11e7-QJpw2oihg.pngGraeber's Debt - Everyday AnarchismGraham CulbertsonGraham CulbertsonA years-long series on Debt by David GraeberThe core idea of this podcast comes from David Graeber, who wrote that our everyday life is mostly run on anarchism, and at the same time people believe that anarchism doesn’t work. One of these is wrong. I hope to illuminate how our communities already depend on Mutual Aid, in big and small ways. I'll do that by excavating the historical events and cultural trends you already know about, but have never thought about in terms of anarchism. Find me at https://www.everydayanarchism.comhttps://www.everydayanarchism.com/trueepisodicnopodcast151. Graeber's Debt Chapter 12, The Beginning of Something Yet to Be Determined151. Graeber's Debt Chapter 12, The Beginning of Something Yet to Be DeterminedIn which I end my series on David Graeber's Debt, apologize for mistakes, and offer some hope for a new world in which we have more money and less monetarism.

Thank you to all of the listeners to this series, and my wonderful lineup of guests: Dirk Ehnts, Eleanor Janega, Cory Doctorow, Bill Maurer, Henry Farrell, James K. Galbraith, Fuad Musallam, Clif Mark, Luke Kemp, John Weisweiler, Chris Isett, and Yanis Varoufakis.

The whole series can be found here: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/david-graebers-debt/

]]>In which I end my series on David Graeber's Debt, apologize for mistakes, and offer some hope for a new world in which we have more money and less monetarism.

Thank you to all of the listeners to this series, and my wonderful lineup of guests: Dirk Ehnts, Eleanor Janega, Cory Doctorow, Bill Maurer, Henry Farrell, James K. Galbraith, Fuad Musallam, Clif Mark, Luke Kemp, John Weisweiler, Chris Isett, and Yanis Varoufakis.

The whole series can be found here: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/david-graebers-debt/

]]>efb0663b-3d19-45b1-b3d4-c7f988452bbeWed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -040001:17:53truefull151151148. Debt Discussion 12, In the Middle of Something New with Yanis Varoufakis148. Debt Discussion 12, In the Middle of Something New with Yanis VaroufakisYanis Varoufakis joins me to discuss his new book, Technofeudalism, how the world economy has changed since Graeber wrote Debt, and where things might be going next.

Live long and prosper.

]]>Yanis Varoufakis joins me to discuss his new book, Technofeudalism, how the world economy has changed since Graeber wrote Debt, and where things might be going next.

Live long and prosper.

]]>258bc928-2036-4474-866c-c25acd0628aaWed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -040041:56truefull148148145. Debt Discussion 11, The Great Divergence with Christopher Isett145. Debt Discussion 11, The Great Divergence with Christopher IsettChristopher Isett joins me to discuss the rise of capitalism and "The Great Divergence," in which Christendom transformed itself from an obscure corner of the world into the dominant global power. Just how did that happen, what part did capitalism play in it, and why did capitalism develop in Europe? And what does China have to do with all of it?

Chris gives his answers to all of these questions, especially drawing on the work of Robert Brenner. Here's Brenner's page on the Verso website, if you want the full story: https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/authors/brenner-robert

]]>Christopher Isett joins me to discuss the rise of capitalism and "The Great Divergence," in which Christendom transformed itself from an obscure corner of the world into the dominant global power. Just how did that happen, what part did capitalism play in it, and why did capitalism develop in Europe? And what does China have to do with all of it?

Chris gives his answers to all of these questions, especially drawing on the work of Robert Brenner. Here's Brenner's page on the Verso website, if you want the full story: https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/authors/brenner-robert

]]>0c3a8466-886b-40d4-b042-0cf8b5157b6bThu, 20 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -040058:55truefull145145143. Graeber's Debt Chapter 11: Age of Great Capitalist Empires143. Graeber's Debt Chapter 11: Age of Great Capitalist EmpiresWhat is capitalism?

It's not efficient markets, factories, and free labor.

It's the financialization of empire and slavery, using greed, shame, indignation, and debt.

And that means the first great capitalists weren't British factory owners, but colonizing conquistadors.

]]>What is capitalism?

It's not efficient markets, factories, and free labor.

It's the financialization of empire and slavery, using greed, shame, indignation, and debt.

And that means the first great capitalists weren't British factory owners, but colonizing conquistadors.

]]>ac53f26e-ad7d-447a-97df-c73b07e65264Wed, 05 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -040038:15truefull143143138. Debt Discussion 10, Debt in the Middle Ages with Eleanor Janega138. Debt Discussion 10, Debt in the Middle Ages with Eleanor JanegaEleanor Janega, the very first guest on the Graeber's Debt series, comes back on the show to discuss what the middle ages were, how they were a global phenomenon, and why they weren't as bad as you've heard

]]>Eleanor Janega, the very first guest on the Graeber's Debt series, comes back on the show to discuss what the middle ages were, how they were a global phenomenon, and why they weren't as bad as you've heard

]]>ed61722e-313b-407b-92d0-313432b9ca21Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -040001:02:44truefull138138136. Graeber's Debt Chapter 10: The Middle Ages136. Graeber's Debt Chapter 10: The Middle AgesIn Graeber's middle ages, empires fell apart while temples and monasteries kept everything together with metaphysical debt. Oh, and Europe isn't very important.

Eleanor Janega returns later this month to discuss the chapter in the next Debt discussion!

]]>In Graeber's middle ages, empires fell apart while temples and monasteries kept everything together with metaphysical debt. Oh, and Europe isn't very important.

Eleanor Janega returns later this month to discuss the chapter in the next Debt discussion!

]]>1204c8ad-8e7d-493e-a75d-35378dd65df1Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -040049:30truefull136136135. Graeber's Debt Chapter 9: The Axial Age135. Graeber's Debt Chapter 9: The Axial AgeFollowing on my discussion with John Weisweiler, more detail on Graeber's account of the Axial Age

]]>Following on my discussion with John Weisweiler, more detail on Graeber's account of the Axial Age

]]>2a06e1b2-e722-4776-aab1-ae894e4355afWed, 02 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -040035:24truefull135135134. Debt Discussion 9, the Axial Age with John Weisweiler134. Debt Discussion 9, the Axial Age with John WeisweilerIn this episode in my series on Graeber's Debt, I'm joined by John Weisweiler to discuss Chapter 9, "The Axial Age." John and I discuss Graeber's insights into the relationship between money, debt, and community, and the way that Graeber often got the ideas right even before the archaelogical record had gotten there.

]]>In this episode in my series on Graeber's Debt, I'm joined by John Weisweiler to discuss Chapter 9, "The Axial Age." John and I discuss Graeber's insights into the relationship between money, debt, and community, and the way that Graeber often got the ideas right even before the archaelogical record had gotten there.

]]>4de688e5-992c-43f3-964b-4fdbd1f2438bWed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -040054:12truefull134134132. Debt Discussion 8, Cycles of History with Luke Kemp132. Debt Discussion 8, Cycles of History with Luke KempLuke Kemp joins me to discuss Chapter 8 of Debt, asking the question: Is Graeber right when he says that history follows clear cycles?

Sort of!

]]>Luke Kemp joins me to discuss Chapter 8 of Debt, asking the question: Is Graeber right when he says that history follows clear cycles?

Sort of!

]]>2c8105f0-611f-4545-b632-e868e5039840Wed, 04 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -040053:47truefull132132130. Graeber's Debt Chapter 8: Credit vs. Bullion, and the Cycles of History130. Graeber's Debt Chapter 8: Credit vs. Bullion, and the Cycles of HistoryThe Debt series returns, hopefully to finish by early 2025.

This my reading of Chapter 8 (and a little of Chapter 7), soon to be followed by a discussion with Luke Kemp.

]]>The Debt series returns, hopefully to finish by early 2025.

This my reading of Chapter 8 (and a little of Chapter 7), soon to be followed by a discussion with Luke Kemp.

]]>0b173475-a2fe-4db3-bd24-a9dd6fca2bf8Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -040033:58truefull130130127. Debt Discussion 7, Honor and Dignity with Clif Mark127. Debt Discussion 7, Honor and Dignity with Clif MarkClif Mark, host of the Good in Theory podcast, joins me to discuss honor and degradation in Graeber's Debt. Also I make Clif talk about representation in Star Wars, for some reason.

]]>Clif Mark, host of the Good in Theory podcast, joins me to discuss honor and degradation in Graeber's Debt. Also I make Clif talk about representation in Star Wars, for some reason.

]]>bc983dfc-cf9e-417a-87f4-22494dc70733Wed, 26 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -040048:37truefull127127125. Graeber's Debt Chapter 7, Honor and Degradation125. Graeber's Debt Chapter 7, Honor and DegradationA little belatedly, here's my episode about Graeber's Debt, Chapter 7. A discussion on honor and dignity will be coming later this month with Clif Mark of the Good in Theory podcast!

]]>A little belatedly, here's my episode about Graeber's Debt, Chapter 7. A discussion on honor and dignity will be coming later this month with Clif Mark of the Good in Theory podcast!

]]>db0f091d-0ce8-4f54-9d49-778e1487d970Wed, 05 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -040045:52truefull125125123. Debt Discussion 6: Graeber as Grand Theorist with Fuad Musallam123. Debt Discussion 6: Graeber as Grand Theorist with Fuad MusallamIn this debt discussion, Fuad and I discuss Chapter 6 of Debt, "Games with Sex and Death," and especially the way that Graeber is writing in the grand theory tradition of anthropology. Fuad also taught with David at the London School of Economics, and is able to explain how Graeber approached these same concepts in anthropology as a teacher and colleague.

You can find Fuad's anthropological work on activism here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/dasa/musallam-fuad

]]>In this debt discussion, Fuad and I discuss Chapter 6 of Debt, "Games with Sex and Death," and especially the way that Graeber is writing in the grand theory tradition of anthropology. Fuad also taught with David at the London School of Economics, and is able to explain how Graeber approached these same concepts in anthropology as a teacher and colleague.

You can find Fuad's anthropological work on activism here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/dasa/musallam-fuad

]]>7dc4c4c6-ff4a-46ec-85a2-a5362cd76b50Wed, 22 May 2024 05:00:00 -040001:08:37truefull123123121. Graeber's Debt Chapter 6, Games with Sex and Death121. Graeber's Debt Chapter 6, Games with Sex and DeathGraeber explains human economies, economies in which money can only be used to shore up social relations, and can't be used to buy things - to the utter confusion of anthropologists trying to buy things

]]>Graeber explains human economies, economies in which money can only be used to shore up social relations, and can't be used to buy things - to the utter confusion of anthropologists trying to buy things

]]>9e465c52-f5d6-4e1e-93b8-5fe10b1aea29Wed, 08 May 2024 05:00:00 -040043:13truefull121121119. Debt Discussion 5: The Sterility of Economics with James K. Galbraith119. Debt Discussion 5: The Sterility of Economics with James K. GalbraithJames K. Galbraith joins me to discuss the flaws in the field of economics and its pseudoscientific justifications

]]>James K. Galbraith joins me to discuss the flaws in the field of economics and its pseudoscientific justifications

]]>e79c2010-76ca-4f5d-bb47-0179e04bfe87Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -040052:35truefull119119117. Graeber's Debt Chapter 5, The Moral Ground of Economic Relations117. Graeber's Debt Chapter 5, The Moral Ground of Economic RelationsThe chapter of Debt which inspired this podcast - get ready to hear the origin of everyday anarchism!

]]>The chapter of Debt which inspired this podcast - get ready to hear the origin of everyday anarchism!

]]>a688d7e4-905b-4792-a3f2-a54699a94f62Wed, 10 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -040055:51truefull117117115. Debt Discussion 4: Henry Farrell on His Internet Argument with Graeber115. Debt Discussion 4: Henry Farrell on His Internet Argument with GraeberIn this episode I'm joined by Henry Farrell, who got into an internet spat with David Graeber over Debt. Henry recently wrote a reflection on the kerfuffle at the blog Crooked Timber, and also co-wrote a book, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, that came about in part as a response to Graeber's Debt.

]]>In this episode I'm joined by Henry Farrell, who got into an internet spat with David Graeber over Debt. Henry recently wrote a reflection on the kerfuffle at the blog Crooked Timber, and also co-wrote a book, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, that came about in part as a response to Graeber's Debt.

]]>2cfe0825-8a19-46ca-92bc-12d5b32340bfWed, 27 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -040049:40truefull115115111. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 4, Cruelty and Redemption111. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 4, Cruelty and RedemptionDebt Chapter 4, in which Jesus and Nietzsche show up!

]]>Debt Chapter 4, in which Jesus and Nietzsche show up!

]]>4c7457fe-4d09-4418-864b-79d607b4e6beWed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -040039:13truefull111111107. Debt Discussion 3: Anthropology and Everyday Anarchism with Bill Maurer107. Debt Discussion 3: Anthropology and Everyday Anarchism with Bill MaurerFor the third episode of Debt Discussions, the anthropologist Bill Maurer joins me to talk about Chapter 3 of Debt, Primordial Debts. Bill and I talk about the myth of primordial debt, where it fits in the anarchism vs. social democracy debate, and if the anthropological parables in the book fit Graeber's claims. We also talk about the strengths and flaws of Graeber's approach, especially the way that his work embraces grand narratives while critiquing the grand narrative tradition.

Bill wrote the conclusion for the new book As If Already Free: Anthropology and Activism After David Graeber

]]>For the third episode of Debt Discussions, the anthropologist Bill Maurer joins me to talk about Chapter 3 of Debt, Primordial Debts. Bill and I talk about the myth of primordial debt, where it fits in the anarchism vs. social democracy debate, and if the anthropological parables in the book fit Graeber's claims. We also talk about the strengths and flaws of Graeber's approach, especially the way that his work embraces grand narratives while critiquing the grand narrative tradition.

Bill wrote the conclusion for the new book As If Already Free: Anthropology and Activism After David Graeber

]]>55fd0bc6-af6e-4cc6-b899-4b7744c0df03Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -040055:11truefull107107105. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 3, Primordial Debts105. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 3, Primordial DebtsContinuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 3, which introduces the other big myth which Graeber says underpins our modern imaginary. Primordial Debt, I argue, is the left-wing counterpart to the myth of barter, and Graeber critiques it less harshly but just as fully.

Join me later this month for a conversation with the anthropologist Bill Maurer about this chapter, the myth of primordial debt, and the anthropological nature of Graeber's claims.

]]>Continuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 3, which introduces the other big myth which Graeber says underpins our modern imaginary. Primordial Debt, I argue, is the left-wing counterpart to the myth of barter, and Graeber critiques it less harshly but just as fully.

Join me later this month for a conversation with the anthropologist Bill Maurer about this chapter, the myth of primordial debt, and the anthropological nature of Graeber's claims.

]]>10978a73-5fb1-4dbe-a9ab-328f555b702cWed, 01 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -040029:55truefull105105103. Debt Discussion 2: Economics and Other Science Fictions with Cory Doctorow103. Debt Discussion 2: Economics and Other Science Fictions with Cory DoctorowFor the second episode of Debt Discussions, Cory Doctorow returns to the show to talk about Chapter 2 of Debt, The Myth of Barter. Cory and I talk about the way that economics resembles science fiction, the original reception of Debt (especially on the blog Crooked Timber), and talk some more about the topic of UBI and a jobs guarantee.

]]>For the second episode of Debt Discussions, Cory Doctorow returns to the show to talk about Chapter 2 of Debt, The Myth of Barter. Cory and I talk about the way that economics resembles science fiction, the original reception of Debt (especially on the blog Crooked Timber), and talk some more about the topic of UBI and a jobs guarantee.

]]>153bb8e3-7b95-4df9-b582-7c763836a15dWed, 18 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -040059:48truefull103103101. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 2, The Myth of Barter101. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 2, The Myth of BarterContinuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 2, which is all about the silly stories that economists tell themselves to explain why economics is an objective science. Economics tells us that we can't imagine other worlds - but the field of economics is more imaginary than any fantasy novel

]]>Continuing my series on Graeber's Debt, this episode looks at chapter 2, which is all about the silly stories that economists tell themselves to explain why economics is an objective science. Economics tells us that we can't imagine other worlds - but the field of economics is more imaginary than any fantasy novel

]]>25146018-4149-4904-83f4-43c1a2d560fbWed, 04 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -040029:07truefull101101099. Debt Discussion 1: Moral Confusion and Garden Parties with Eleanor Janega099. Debt Discussion 1: Moral Confusion and Garden Parties with Eleanor JanegaMedieval historian Eleanor Janega joins me as the first guest in Graeber's Debt series. We discuss the big ideas in chapter 1, especially garden parties, moral confusion, American empire, and British debt. Eleanor also helped me understand how debt is the most important thing in Jane Austen's novels - and that's a bad thing.

For more from Eleanor, you can check out her podcast debunking misconceptions about the middle ages, We're Not so Different, or her book The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society.

]]>Medieval historian Eleanor Janega joins me as the first guest in Graeber's Debt series. We discuss the big ideas in chapter 1, especially garden parties, moral confusion, American empire, and British debt. Eleanor also helped me understand how debt is the most important thing in Jane Austen's novels - and that's a bad thing.

For more from Eleanor, you can check out her podcast debunking misconceptions about the middle ages, We're Not so Different, or her book The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society.

]]>4a6ffeda-d774-489b-9f32-6a0b151a484eWed, 20 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -040053:52truefull9999097. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 1097. Graeber's Debt: Chapter 1At long last, my thoughts on Graeber's Debt, chapter 1.

Get ready for a discussion of this chapter, and the garden party, with Eleanor Janega later this month!

]]>At long last, my thoughts on Graeber's Debt, chapter 1.

Get ready for a discussion of this chapter, and the garden party, with Eleanor Janega later this month!

]]>728f8fa8-f265-4219-b0a5-3cf62f5039f0Wed, 06 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -040020:54truefull9797087. Graeber's Against Economics -- Dirk Ehnts087. Graeber's Against Economics -- Dirk EhntsJust like when the Debt series gets going in earnest, I'll have a monthly episode with my thoughts on Graeber and then a conversation later that month.

This month I'm talking with Dirk Ehnts, an MMT economist who really helped me further understand the money creation process and where Graeber's ideas fit into it.

You can find Dirk as a frequent guest on the MMT podcast, as well as checkout these opportunities to study with him:

https://maastricht.dreamapply.com/courses/course/183-modern-monetary-theory-and-european-macroeconomics

https://www.torrens.edu.au/courses/business/master-of-economics-of-sustainability

]]>Just like when the Debt series gets going in earnest, I'll have a monthly episode with my thoughts on Graeber and then a conversation later that month.

This month I'm talking with Dirk Ehnts, an MMT economist who really helped me further understand the money creation process and where Graeber's ideas fit into it.

You can find Dirk as a frequent guest on the MMT podcast, as well as checkout these opportunities to study with him:

https://maastricht.dreamapply.com/courses/course/183-modern-monetary-theory-and-european-macroeconomics

https://www.torrens.edu.au/courses/business/master-of-economics-of-sustainability

]]>84c4e81a-bc83-48a6-aec0-a05e86b7abf7Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -040054:34truefull8787085. Graeber's Debt Prequel: Against Economics085. Graeber's Debt Prequel: Against EconomicsLater this year (hopefully!), I'll start a year-long series analyzing and explaining David Graeber's first big book Debt. This episode is a prequel that introduces you to some of Graeber's conclusions about economics and money, and how they fit in with Modern Monetary Theory

In 2019, less than a year before he died, Graeber wrote a piece for the New York Review of Books in which he explained, very concisely, what was wrong with the field of economics and how it’s ruined everything. Debt is the long story with all of the receipts. This is the more like the epilogue, or maybe the prologue.

I'll have an episode discussing Graeber's article with the MMT economist Dirk Ehnts later this month

]]>Later this year (hopefully!), I'll start a year-long series analyzing and explaining David Graeber's first big book Debt. This episode is a prequel that introduces you to some of Graeber's conclusions about economics and money, and how they fit in with Modern Monetary Theory

In 2019, less than a year before he died, Graeber wrote a piece for the New York Review of Books in which he explained, very concisely, what was wrong with the field of economics and how it’s ruined everything. Debt is the long story with all of the receipts. This is the more like the epilogue, or maybe the prologue.

I'll have an episode discussing Graeber's article with the MMT economist Dirk Ehnts later this month

]]>0f672efd-d72f-408f-b0e6-27e8a791a18bWed, 31 May 2023 05:00:00 -040050:56truefull8585Trailer: David Graeber's DebtTrailer: David Graeber's DebtFinally, it's happening! My series on David Graeber's book Debt is finally starting for real on September 6. This trailer tells you what to expect, announces a few exciting guests, and reminds me to read the book.

Later in September Eleanor Janega will join me to discuss Chapter 1. And if you can't wait, check out the prequel episodes based on Graeber's essay "Against Economics."

Graeber's Debt Prequel

Graeber's Debt Prequel with Dirk Ehnts

]]>Finally, it's happening! My series on David Graeber's book Debt is finally starting for real on September 6. This trailer tells you what to expect, announces a few exciting guests, and reminds me to read the book.

Later in September Eleanor Janega will join me to discuss Chapter 1. And if you can't wait, check out the prequel episodes based on Graeber's essay "Against Economics."

Graeber's Debt Prequel

Graeber's Debt Prequel with Dirk Ehnts

]]>073a9d86-42e5-4261-a89d-3f69b37cf430Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -040008:36truetrailer