Book Episode #12: Part Eight - The Dawn of Everything, by David Graeber & David Wengrow (Chapter 9)

Revisiting Indigenous Democracies and the Dawn of EverythingThis episode of the 'Propaganda Loves You Book Club' delves into Chapter Nine of 'The Dawn of Everything' by David Graeber and David Wengrow, titled 'Hiding in Plain Sight: The Indigenous Origins of Social Housing and Democracy in the Americas.' The hosts discuss the two significant civilizations in Central Mexico, Tenochtitlan and Tlaxcala, focusing on their social housing projects, urban development, and governance structures. The conversation highlights how Tlaxcala demonstrated elements of democratic governance long before European influence and examines the potential plagiarism of these systems by European colonizers. Additionally, the episode raises questions about the nature of statehood, democracy, and societal organization, setting the stage for future discussions on the origins of the state.00:00 Introduction to the Book Club00:36 Chapter Nine Overview: Hiding in Plain Sight01:40 Pronunciation Challenges and City Introductions02:27 Teotihuacan: Urban Development and Social Housing03:40 Archaeological Evidence and City Maps07:55 Timeline and Origins of Teotihuacan19:00 Kalala: Indigenous Democracy and Spanish Conquest23:58 Political Structures and Governance in Kalala32:42 Reflections on Historical and Modern Governance42:08 Conclusion and Next Chapter Preview