TrueSciPhi

Podcast Profile: Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS

Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts
27 episodes
2020 to 2021
Median: 46 minutes
Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent

Description (podcaster-provided):

A new series of talks by David Runciman, in which he explores some of the most important thinkers and prominent ideas lying behind modern politics – from Hobbes to Gandhi, from democracy to patriarchy, from revolution to lock down. Plus, he talks about the crises – revolutions, wars, depressions, pandemics – that generated these new ways of political thinking. From the team that brought you Talking Politics: a history of ideas to help make sense of what’s happening today.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):

➤ Political philosophy • Historical political thinkers • Influential texts and ideas • Modern political issues • Democracy • Feminism • Morality • Justice • Social inequality • Revolutionary theories

This podcast, "Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS," hosted by David Runciman, delves into the diverse and influential thoughts that have shaped modern political landscapes. Each episode offers an insightful exploration of seminal thinkers and their groundbreaking ideas, ranging from classic political philosophy to contemporary reflections on society.

Throughout the series, Runciman surveys the expansive terrain of political theory, discussing the contributions of philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Rawls, and Friedrich Nietzsche. He examines pivotal concepts such as justice, liberty, and democracy, bringing historical and intellectual context to bear on current political dilemmas. The series integrates diverse ideological perspectives, including liberalism, feminism, Marxism, and utilitarianism, demonstrating how these frameworks interact and conflict with one another in shaping political thought.

Moreover, the podcast addresses key historical and contemporary crises—such as revolutions, wars, and pandemics—that have precipitated shifts in political ideology and practice. It also engages with profound social issues such as patriarchy, colonialism, and slavery, revealing how theoretical insights have intersected with lived experiences to forge new paths of political action and resistance.

Through comparative analyses, Runciman highlights the paradoxes and complexities inherent in political leadership and policy-making. The episodes often juxtapose different theorists' ideas, revealing how figures like Rousseau and Bentham, or Marx and Schmitt, have offered competing visions on topics like state power, inequality, and moral philosophy.

Each episode is supplemented with recommendations for further reading and related multimedia content, providing listeners with additional resources to deepen their understanding. By situating classical and modern political theories within the broader narrative of human societies grappling with enduring political questions, this podcast serves as a comprehensive guide to the history of ideas that continue to shape our world.

Episodes: