Political Philosophy Podcast

A deep dive into all things Plato & The Republic with Dr Carol Atack. Particularly his description of tyranny and the tyrant, do they apply today, and how we might read Plato in the light of our current moment.

An in-depth look at the US-Israel relationship. What were the Biden administrations goals post October 7th, and how successful where they? How should we think about Trump's proposed plan, what is the thinking (or lack of) behind it, and why does it hold such appeal for some?

Everything Supreme Court - Theory and practice: How has the role of the court developed historically, how has it gained more power recently, how should we think about it, and what should we expect in Trump's second term?

In a patreon supporers only episode I take a range of audience questions on democratic messaging, my liberal currents articles, and how to make falafel that doesn't fall apart. This is a 10 minute preview of the episode - for the full thing, become a supporter on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/politicalphilosophypodcast

Do we have an ethical obligation to vote? Chris Freiman joins the podcast to argue no, our time and energy is better spent elsewhere. I disagree, and through the conversation we pressure test many of the moral claims people make about this defining democratic act.

What is the minimum we can be asked to provide for others? I'm joined by Nicole Hassoun to discuss this, relationships, loneliness, and more.

How did realist thinkers like Machiavelli and Hobbes respond to people predicting the end of the world, and what lessons can we draw from that in our own day? Alison McQueen Joins the podcast to discuss.

What makes a political decision legitimate? That it tracks the popular will, that it's made with the right information, or something else? Fabienne Peter discusses both the theory, and the applied cases of COVID, Brexit, and Trump

What are the books that didn't get included in the New Testament? A big, fun, deep-dive into all things early Christianity and non-canon with Eric Vanden Eykel.

In a final election think piece I argue that the danger the US political system faces is not easily understood through the mechanical-newtonian visualisation we have of it. Instead, I see how things look using a much older metaphor - the body politic

Kristen Monroe discusses conservative opposition to Trump from the perspective of political phycology - why so many republicans have capitulated, what made the difference for those who didn't, and what should our moral evaluation of the MAGA movement be.

Part 2 of my conversation with Derek Guy - A broader look at pluralism in fashion, liberal freedom and its discontents, in which Derek challenges my Millite liberalism from a communitarian perspective.

I'm joined by Derek Guy (AKA Menswear Guy) to take on the intersection of fashion history & the history of political thought. Derek argues the suit is a creation of liberalism, but was also killed by liberalism, & we discuss what that means for how we see the tradition & ourselves.

Matt McManus is back on the podcast to discuss liberal socialism throughout history from early antecedents, to Mill, Thomas Paine, and Rawls, as well as the neoliberal critique of it by Hayek & others. Pre-order Liberal Socialism: https://t.co/0r9ZVpLF2i

The history of unions, including antecedent forms of worker organisation, the different justifications for them, and how these relate to values like equality, freedom, and democracy.

I develop an original account of the increasing gender voting gap & relate it to why some people are much more alive to the dangers of the populist right than others.

Rawls, religion, the reasonable & unreasonable, and what are our obligations when liberal democracy is under threat? Do we have a duty to try and persuade people out of the populist right?

Following a tumultuous month in American politics, I take a range of audience questions on all things USA.

Most Americans know the outsized influence big corporations and the wealthy can have on our democracy. What does it look like to build a theory of liberal democracy based on avoiding that? Samuel Bagg and I get into that, the ethics of voting, and the reality of activism.

How has equality been thought about throughout human history? Is there a final definition of the term? Does it have a potential dark side, and how does its history compare to that of freedom? Darrin McMahon joins the podcast to discuss.

What defines the modern American right? Matt McManus argues we should understand the movement as fundementally about hierarchy, we then get into a general conversation about the Biden administration and the direction of the US Left.

Kevin Vallier returns to the podcast to breakdown the lastest intelectual movement on the relgious right - intergralism. What is it, where did it come from, and what should liberals and conservatives make of it?

I'm joined by Amanda Podany, author of Weavers, Scribes, and Kings, to chat all things Ancient Near East. From her 'microhistory' method, to the culture, religion, gender norms, politics, and even food of the period. (After a longish pause in episodes I'm coming back with two at once!)

After a content creation sabbatical, the podcast is back! Friend of the Podcast Philip Pettit returns to discuss his latest book - the State - we discuss his genealogy of norms, laws, and nations.

I'm Joined by Jonathan Jowlands for an in-depth discussion of historical Jesus research. We cover the history of the 'quest' and the different worldviews we both bring to it. Jonathan lays out a view for including theological perspectives, and I defend a 'history only' approach.