

Political Philosophy Podcast
Toby Buckle
Podcast by Toby Buckle
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 4min
White Psychodrama Revisited with Liam Bright
Liam Bright discusses his influential White Psychodrama paper & we give our takes on the various cultural products arising from white guilt. Is the era of 'high woke' over, and is there anything to be learn't from it?

Sep 7, 2025 • 54min
Can Deliberation Save Democracy? with James S. Fishkin
James S. Fishkin, the Pioneer of deliberative polling joins the podcast. We discuss the nature of public opinion, how it can be changed, the positivities of consensus, 'activist disfunction' and can deliberation help cure our current democratic death spiral.

Aug 29, 2025 • 3h 5min
Should Liberalism Fight, or Retreat & Retrench? with Alec Crisman
Alec Crisman, a writer exploring the tension between political and comprehensive liberalism, engages in a lively debate about the future of liberalism in today's fraught political climate. The discussion tackles whether liberals should adopt a more aggressive stance against rising authoritarianism or retreat to neutrality. Crisman expresses concerns about the implications of comprehensive liberalism on autonomy and societal values. They also delve into the complexities of ideological recruitment and the need for effective counter-narratives amidst contemporary political challenges.

Aug 24, 2025 • 23min
Writing The Bible 2: Hammurabi's Code
The series continues, exploring the world the Bible was born into. Another genre of writing these texts existed within was the Ancient Near Eastern law code. We look at the most famous, focusing on sex, marriage, adultery, homosexuality, and offending cows.

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 24min
Precolonial Africana Philosophy with Peter Adamson and Chike Jeffers
From Ancient Egypt, to Ethiopia, to the Islamic tradition, Africa had a rich - & truly ancient - tradition of philosophy prior to European Colonization.
Peter Adamson and Chike Jeffers join the podcast to discuss.
Africana Philosophy from Ancient Egypt to the Nineteenth Century: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/africana-philosophy-from-ancient-egypt-to-the-nineteenth-century-9780198927174?cc=gb&lang=en&
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PoliticalPhilosophyPodcast

Jul 26, 2025 • 1h 15min
Do Elections Define Democracy? with Natasha Piano
Natasha Piano, an assistant professor at UCLA specializing in democratic theory, discusses the complexities of democracy in light of her book, Democratic Elitism. She critiques the conventional link between elections and democracy, urging for a broader understanding of representation. The conversation dives into Machiavelli’s thoughts on elite dominance and popular resistance, and the influence of right populism on voter behavior. Piano highlights the role of masculinity in political ideologies and the cyclical nature of institutional change, advocating for innovative reforms and trust between elites and the public.

Jul 20, 2025 • 23min
Writing the Bible: 1 The First Flood
Delve into the ancient context of biblical stories, tracing their roots back to 1850 BC Babylon. Discover how narratives like Atrahasis influenced the Genesis flood tale and reflect societal norms of the time. Uncover the vital role of Babylonian scribes in shaping literature and record-keeping that echoes today. Explore the evolution of flood myths and the sophisticated forces behind their storytelling, revealing a complex interplay of culture, religion, and literature in shaping ancient belief systems.

Jul 15, 2025 • 5min
Writing the Bible - New Series Preview
A shot preview of a new series I'll be doing on the podcast

Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
UK AMA
I take a range of questions on all things British politics.

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 47min
THE NEVERENDING PRIMARY
The rift between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic primary has left a powerful legacy in American politics. The discussion reflects on the obstacles and successes of the American left, exploring the growing need for unity. Striking contrasts emerge between principled outsiders and pragmatic insiders in political identity. The influence of Sanders’ supporters reveals complexities in voting behavior, while the conversation advocates for acknowledging past political errors and fostering collaboration to combat rising extremism.