Political Philosophy Podcast

An audio essay: Putting the UK's new anti-refugee policies in context, why they are both bad on their own terms, but also a big warning sign for our democracy. Where we're at, and why there is hope.

Thomas Prosser, a political economy professor at Cardiff Business School, joins the discussion on Labour's immigration policies. They debate whether compromising with the right is strategically sound. Prosser argues that Labour's approach has ethical grounding despite poor polling. The conversation also touches on public opinion, media influence, and the potential backlash from accommodating radical views. They explore global political trends and the necessity for Labour to articulate strong anti-fascist values, highlighting nuanced differences between the UK and US political landscapes.

Yolonda Wilson, an Associate Professor in Healthcare Ethics at Saint Louis University, delves into the complex intersection of bioethics and race. She discusses why structural factors lead to worse health outcomes for Black Americans compared to their white counterparts, despite controlling for income. Wilson critiques the performative nature of many social justice initiatives and the misuse of academic language in political contexts. She highlights the need for actionable steps against systemic racism, emphasizing that true change demands risk and accountability.

I'm joined by the founder and director of The Good Law Project - the organisation fighting the UK's anti-trans bathroom ban in court. We cover rights and freedoms in the UK, the complex legal mess we find ourselves in, and how the rest of us should respond.

In a thought-provoking solo discussion, Toby examines whether fascism could take root in the UK as it has in the US. He highlights the alarming rise of far-right movements and foreign influences. Using a grading system, he scores politicians based on their resistance to authoritarianism, noting the dismal performance of UK leaders like Keir Starmer. He warns that the UK faces greater vulnerabilities than the US, stressing the urgent need for action to counteract this drift towards potential authoritarianism.

Originally a symbol of mobility, of escape and adventure, we have now built much of our world around the car. Has doing so liberated us? Moore & Kay argue that it has not.

Does my argument that the left should not threaten abstention survive Liam's case that we can't impose message discipline on online communities? An open free-form chat.

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?

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.

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.