A Reason for Optimism? Farewells

Vladimir Pozner's new book "A Reason for Optimism? Farewells" makes one think. Pozner reflects on the sharpest questions of modernity, illuminating them from different angles and emphasizing the connection with current events. What do the bitter lessons of history teach us, and can they really teach us anything? What is Russia's place in the modern world, how is it similar to and different from the USA, Europe, and China? What are the advantages and disadvantages of democracy? Do we need the death penalty? What could the now-familiar social evil—corruption, inequality, restriction of freedoms—lead to? The author does not provide simple answers or ready-made recipes. He looks to the past, sketches possible scenarios for the future, ironically sharpens pressing problems, and makes the reader seek solutions independently and draw conclusions about whether we have a reason for optimism. This book is a collection of so-called "farewells," short concluding comments from the program "Pozner," which aired on Russian television for many years.