Why does nationalism look less like a mistake and more like a structural feature of modern capitalism? In this provocative and deeply researched episode, Professor Zlatko Hadžidedić explains why nationalism often functions as the social glue that stabilizes capitalism’s contradictions and why the current phase of hyper-capitalism risks producing more authoritarian nationalisms over the next decades. Using Bosnia (the Lisbon maps and Dayton aftermath), the Balkans, and contemporary flashpoints as case studies, Zlatko connects theory to concrete history: how imperial legacies, external power strategies, and the logic of the military-industrial complex help produce recurring conflict. He also shows how consumer tech, information flows, and media narratives help pacify populations while power consolidates.

He explains:

⬛ Why nationalism can be a structural necessity for capitalism

⬛ How “hyper-capitalism” creates conditions for authoritarian nationalism

⬛ The Lisbon maps & Bosnia case study — why partition was engineered and what it means today

⬛ How information, phones and consumer culture shape political consent

⬛ Why great-power strategies sometimes manufacture zones of instability

⬛ What citizens and leaders can do to cultivate nuance, media literacy, and democratic resilience

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: Capitalism, Nationhood & the Big Question

03:10 - Thesis: “No Capitalism Without Nationalism” — the argument explained

08:45 - The Lisbon maps & Bosnia: how partition was made possible

13:30 - From Yugoslavia to the Balkans: external influence and local politics

18:20 - Imperial legacies, Mackinder & geopolitical strategy

22:45 - Hyper-capitalism defined: inequality, pacification, and authoritarian pressures

27:50 - Phones, streaming & control: the tech-consumer pact

32:40 - Gaza, Ukraine & manufactured instability — strategic utility of conflict

37:55 - Predictions: the next 20–30 years of nationalism and power

42:10 - Practical takeaways: media literacy, nuance, and democratic repair

46:00 - Closing reflections & recommended reading

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in political economy, history, geopolitics, and media, especially listeners who want frameworks that connect the dots between capitalism, nationalism, and contemporary conflict.

🎧 Listen now to understand the hidden structures shaping modern conflict, from imperial maps to smartphone screens, from Bosnia to the broader global order.

🔗 Resources & Links

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About Zlatko Hadžidedić Professor, author and analyst focused on nationalism, political economy and Balkan history. (Check episode for recommended reading and sources.)

🎙️ Related Episodes & Reading Look for prior episodes and sources on Bosnia, the Lisbon conference, and imperial legacies in our archives at thevoicesofwar.com.

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