Politicology

Byron Tau, a journalist and author specializing in law and national security, delves into his book about the partnership between tech and government in creating a surveillance state. He discusses insights from Edward Snowden's revelations on data collection and how vendors sidestep privacy laws. Tau also addresses the battle over encryption's role in protecting privacy, the risks of foreign data misuse, and potential reforms to legislate against mass surveillance. His expertise sheds light on the intricate dynamics of surveillance and personal privacy.

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss the unraveling of our political institutions, the devolution of political parties, what’s happening with them, where they’re heading and what it means. They dive into the Epstein Files and the MAGA backlash, Mamdani’s primary win in New York City, the turmoil at the DNC, and Elon Musk’s new party, and what all this says about what America’s two-party system is becoming.   Then, in Politicology+ they discuss some predictions made in the 1997 book, “The Sovereign Individual,”many of which have already come to pass, as well as the future role of government in the information age. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Related Reading:  The Great Transformation: Why the Epstein Case Is Not Going Away The Great Transformation: Musk's America Party Signals the Collapse of Philosophical Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Byron Tau, a journalist specializing in law, courts, and national security, dives into his new book exploring the hidden alliance between tech and government. He discusses the evolution of data brokering and how metadata can pinpoint individuals, raising critical concerns for personal privacy. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of privacy rights in the U.S. and the alarming increase in public-private surveillance relationships since 9/11, revealing how social media has transformed data collection practices.

Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, dives into the escalating AI race with China and the associated risks of authoritarian values shaping our future. He highlights China's ambitious strategies in the tech space and the implications for global governance. The discussion also addresses the U.S.-China tensions and how China's actions could threaten net neutrality and free speech. With insights on the ethical dilemmas in foreign policy, Fish unveils the complexities of navigating international relations in a tech-driven world.

In this conversation, Susan Del Percio discusses Zohran Mamdani’s win in the Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor, what it means for New York, and what it will mean for Democrats in and outside the state.  Listen to our episode with Mike Madrid about the Fighting Oligarchy Tour: https://bit.ly/45Rr2lL Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Follow Ron and Susan on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Jennifer Schulp (Director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives) discuss the Senate passing the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins. They dive into the implications of the Bank Secrecy Act and the critical importance of privacy-enhancing tools in the digital age. They explore how new legislation impacts personal privacy, the role of stablecoins in the financial ecosystem, and the potential consequences of government surveillance.   Then, in Politicology+ they discuss political corruption in cryptocurrency and Congressional stock trading. They dive into the lack of political will to combat it, despite public outcry, and the challenges of enforcing ethical standards. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/jenniferjschulp Related Reading:  CNBC - Senate passes GENIUS stablecoin bill, giving crypto industry first major legislative win Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Marc Polymeropoulo discuss the shift in immigration enforcement, the protests in LA, and the values America stands for.  Related Reading:  CBS News - Afghan ally detained by ICE after attending immigration court hearing - CBS News WSJ - The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown - WSJ The Dispatch -This Won’t End Well SacBee - A message to Trump protesters in California: Put down the Mexican flags | Opinion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former CIA operative Marc Polymeropoulos and political analyst Mike Madrid tackle the complex implications of Israeli strikes on Iran and U.S. foreign policy. They discuss Trump’s wartime presidency and the fractures within the MAGA movement, spotlighting figures like Ted Cruz. The conversation also delves into America's moral values amidst global conflicts, shifting immigration policies, and the challenges of maintaining unity in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Izabella Kaminska, founder of The Blind Spot and senior finance editor at Politico Europe, dives into the implications of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. She dissects the national debt’s impact on global narratives, and warns of an impending financial crisis. The discussion touches on the changing trust in financial systems, traditional investments losing their appeal, and the rise of Bitcoin. Izabella also connects lessons from historical economic challenges to today’s financial landscape, offering insights into the complexities of managing national debt.

Mike Madrid, a savvy political strategist and commentator, dives into the alarming implications of the recent Coinbase data leak affecting 100,000 users. He stresses the severe dangers of data breaches in the AI era, discussing how these events challenge our privacy and security. The conversation touches on the inherent risks of AI technology collecting intimate data and the urgent need for stringent privacy protections. With insights on local governance and the evolving nature of technology's impact on democracy, Madrid offers a thought-provoking look at privacy in today's world.