Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 3, 2020 • 38min
Election Day Special: What's at Stake in Trump vs Biden?
Sarah Churchwell, a historian and professor at the University of London, joins Jonathan Freedland to discuss the fraught landscape of the U.S. elections. They delve into the emotional weight of Election Day and explore election anxiety, especially in battleground states. The conversation highlights 'loser's consent' and the potential ramifications of Trump's reaction to defeat. Additionally, they address the serious threat of political violence and examine the complexities of voter loyalty, emphasizing the need for leadership rooted in empathy and evidence.
Nov 3, 2020 • 29min
Election Day Special, with Danielle Pletka, Emily Tamkin and Manveen Rana
Danielle Pletka, a Washington Post commentator and AEI senior fellow, alongside Emily Tamkin, US editor at the New Statesman and author, dive into the pivotal moments leading up to the election. They discuss crucial battleground states and the implications of early voting trends. The conversation highlights concerns about electoral integrity and the potential for unrest. With shifting political allegiances and the quest for unity, they examine the dynamic landscape of American politics and its potential impact on democracy.
Oct 31, 2020 • 30min
BONUS: Ilhan Omar on the State of American Politics
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a trailblazing Somali-American Congresswoman from Minnesota, discusses her #PeopleFirst plan for societal transformation. She addresses the urgent need for community solidarity and highlights the threats posed by rising neo-fascism. Omar emphasizes empowering marginalized voices within political structures and advocates for equality in the Democratic Party. She also reflects on redefining political discourse and the necessity of prioritizing domestic welfare over military expenditures, pushing for ongoing dialogue on these pressing issues.
Oct 30, 2020 • 1h
John Bolton and Emily Maitlis on Trump, Biden and the Election
John Bolton, former National Security Advisor and author of "The Room Where It Happened," shares his insights on Donald Trump's presidency and the upcoming election. He rates Trump's chances for re-election and discusses the impact of the pandemic and social movements on swing voters. Bolton highlights the moral dilemmas faced within Trump's administration, evaluates U.S. foreign policy strategies, and critiques Biden's approach to governance. The conversation also addresses the changing dynamics of the Republican Party and the concerns of disenchanted blue-collar voters.
Oct 27, 2020 • 1h 2min
Wake Up Call: Why The Pandemic Exposes The Weakness of the West
John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, bestselling authors and experts on global affairs, discuss how the pandemic has unveiled the vulnerabilities of Western governments. They tackle the contrasting success of Eastern nations in managing COVID-19, questioning the effectiveness of liberal democracies. The conversation delves into the implications for governance, the rise of big government, and the need for reform to reclaim public trust. Key issues on technological tensions and the impact of China's governance model on the West also emerge.
Oct 23, 2020 • 1h 6min
The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X. with Tamara Payne and Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Tamara Payne, co-author of 'The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X' and daughter of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne, joins writer Yassmin Abdel-Magied to discuss Malcolm X's complex legacy. They delve into his early life, the impact of his father’s death, and his journey through the Nation of Islam. The conversation highlights how Malcolm's global experiences shaped his views on race and identity, revealing his enduring influence on modern civil rights movements and the fight for justice.
Oct 20, 2020 • 57min
The Seduction of Autocracy, with Anne Applebaum and Jonathan Freedland
Anne Applebaum, a writer for The Atlantic and author of 'Twilight of Democracy,' joins political commentator Jonathan Freedland to explore the decline of democratic norms. They reflect on a nostalgic past of unity and the harsh current realities of political division. The duo discusses how nostalgia fuels nationalism and the allure of authoritarianism, revealing the complex motivations behind political allegiances. They also analyze the shifting landscape of political ideologies and the challenges facing traditional parties in this volatile climate.
Oct 16, 2020 • 1h 6min
The European Green Deal is Not Fit For Purpose
Franziska Brantner, a Member of the European Parliament and spokesperson for the German Green Party, debates with climate activist Dr. Tadzio Müller. They tackle whether the European Green Deal can truly balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The discussion highlights the need for urgent reforms, critiques the inadequacy of the current policies, and emphasizes the necessity of addressing social justice and equity in climate action—especially for marginalized communities facing the brunt of environmental degradation.
Oct 13, 2020 • 44min
The Ideological Roots of 'Wokeness'. with Helen Pluckrose and Helen Joyce
Helen Pluckrose, Editor of Aero magazine and co-author of 'Cynical Theories,' dives deep into the ideological roots of modern social justice activism. She discusses the transformation of radical ideas from French postmodernism into today's 'wokeness,' highlighting concepts like knowledge as a social construct and the dangers of cancel culture. Alongside host Helen Joyce, they critique the detrimental impact of these beliefs on marginalized communities and the urgency of fostering balanced discourse in journalism and academia.
Oct 9, 2020 • 60min
Thomas Friedman and Robert Peston on the Final Days of the Presidential Race
In this engaging conversation, Thomas Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, and Robert Peston, ITV's political editor, delve into the weighty implications of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. They discuss the tumultuous political landscape and the potential fallout from a contested election. The duo also explores Trump's impact on international relations and the effects of populism, as well as America's fractured politics. With a blend of sharp insights, they analyze what the future might hold for U.S.-China relations amidst these changes.
