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.

Explore the rising far-right authoritarianism in the U.S. and its risks to democracy through historical lenses. Discover the 'body politic' metaphor as a lens for understanding American vulnerabilities. Learn about the weakened justice system and the need for a revitalized far-left movement to combat threats. Delve into the challenges facing liberalism and the importance of anti-fascist activism. Unearth the connection between media habits and democracy's health, advocating for decentralized media to enhance civic responsibility and community resilience.

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.

Delve into the growing gender voting gap and the emotional roots behind contrasting reactions to far-right ideologies. Explore the decline of trust in politics during the Trump era and the pressing need for civil discourse. Discover how gendered language shapes perceptions in political debates and examine the implications of rising authoritarianism. The discussion tackles moral accountability in supporting extremist figures and calls for a balance between emotional and rational responses in these urgent political times.