Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
An Evening Lecture by Manhattan Institute’s 2026 Hayek Book Prize winner Sean McMeekin, author of "To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism":
Learn about the Hayek Prize: https://manhattan.institute/event/2026-hayek-lecture
In an interview moderated by Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Douglas Murray and introduced by City Journal Contributing Editor John Tierney, McMeekin discusses the history, principles, and failures of communism, exploring its rise, fall, and potential resurgence. Much of his discussion is rooted in modern day attempts to introduce socialism into the western world and what everyday Americans can do to prevent it.
Sean McMeekin is a Francis Flournoy Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College. McMeekin teaches courses in modern European, Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet history. He has also taught at Koç University in Istanbul, Yale, Bilkent in Ankara, and NYU. He has authored multiple books covering political philosophy and reviews books regularly for the Sunday Times, The Literary Review, American Historical Review, History Today, Journal of Modern History, Slavic Review, and Journal of Cold War Studies.
00:00 Introduction to the Hayek Prize and Its Significance
03:00 The Dangers of Collectivism and Historical Context
06:08 Understanding Communism: Definitions and Historical Perspectives
09:03 The Role of Karl Marx in Shaping Communism
12:00 The Paris Commune: A Case Study in Revolutionary Ideals
14:58 Lenin's Strategy and the Rise of Bolshevism
17:50 Stalin's Reign: The Scale of Violence and Control
21:10 The Spread of Communism and Its Perception in the West
24:02 The Useful Idiots: Western Support for Soviet Communism
28:01 Censorship and Engagement with Communism
29:57 The Rise of Communism in China
32:14 Human Catastrophes Under Mao
34:28 The Cambodian Tragedy and Its Roots
36:52 The Fall of Communism and Its Aftermath
39:42 The Resurgence of Communism in Modern Times
42:44 The Enduring Appeal of Communism
45:04 Cuba and the Legacy of Communism
52:47 Education and the History of Communism
55:09 Hope Amidst the Gloom of Communism
An Evening Lecture by Manhattan Institute’s 2026 Hayek Book Prize winner Sean McMeekin, author of "To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism":
Learn about the Hayek Prize: https://manhattan.institute/event/2026-hayek-lecture
In an interview moderated by Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Douglas Murray and introduced by City Journal Contributing Editor John Tierney, McMeekin discusses the history, principles, and failures of communism, exploring its rise, fall, and potential resurgence. Much of his discussion is rooted in modern day attempts to introduce socialism into the western world and what everyday Americans can do to prevent it.
Sean McMeekin is a Francis Flournoy Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College. McMeekin teaches courses in modern European, Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet history. He has also taught at Koç University in Istanbul, Yale, Bilkent in Ankara, and NYU. He has authored multiple books covering political philosophy and reviews books regularly for the Sunday Times, The Literary Review, American Historical Review, History Today, Journal of Modern History, Slavic Review, and Journal of Cold War Studies.
00:00 Introduction to the Hayek Prize and Its Significance
03:00 The Dangers of Collectivism and Historical Context
06:08 Understanding Communism: Definitions and Historical Perspectives
09:03 The Role of Karl Marx in Shaping Communism
12:00 The Paris Commune: A Case Study in Revolutionary Ideals
14:58 Lenin's Strategy and the Rise of Bolshevism
17:50 Stalin's Reign: The Scale of Violence and Control
21:10 The Spread of Communism and Its Perception in the West
24:02 The Useful Idiots: Western Support for Soviet Communism
28:01 Censorship and Engagement with Communism
29:57 The Rise of Communism in China
32:14 Human Catastrophes Under Mao
34:28 The Cambodian Tragedy and Its Roots
36:52 The Fall of Communism and Its Aftermath
39:42 The Resurgence of Communism in Modern Times
42:44 The Enduring Appeal of Communism
45:04 Cuba and the Legacy of Communism
52:47 Education and the History of Communism
55:09 Hope Amidst the Gloom of Communism
