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Tariq Ali, Steven Pinker, and Elif Sarican discuss the use of violence and whether it is justifiable in certain instances. What do you think: is it possible and/or necessary to always condemn violence? With a free trial, you can watch the full debate NOW at https://iai.tv/video/fires-of-progress?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description Most think that social progress should be driven by ideas and persuasion, not force. Yet from the French and Russian Revolutions to the Suffragettes, violent action has been instrumental to creating a better world. Are struggle and conflict the forces of progress rather than reason? Is violence ever justified as a political strategy? Or should we always venerate Gandhi over Guevara? #progress #enlightenment #revolution Author of Enlightenment Now and Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, political activist and author of The Clash of Fundamentalisms Tariq Ali, and activist of the Kurdish women's movement Elif Sarican investigate progress. Oxford Professor of History Rana Mitter hosts. The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! https://iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=fires-of-progress 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Lenin 01:10 A defence of the Russian revolution 04:35 Structural violence 06:00 Steven Pinker response 07:50 Violence against women For debates and talks: https://iai.tv For articles: https://iai.tv/articles For courses: https://iai.tv/iai-academy/courses