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.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Key political thinkers • Modern political ideas • Historical crises • Democracy • Feminism • Utilitarianism • Revolution • Inequality • Leadership • Political philosophy"Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS" is a podcast where David Runciman delves into the ideas of seminal thinkers and the development of pivotal political concepts over time. This series offers explorations of influential philosophers and political theorists, discussing their works and the relevance of their ideas to contemporary politics. The podcast covers a diverse array of figures, including John Rawls, Simone de Beauvoir, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jeremy Bentham, and Alexis de Tocqueville, among others.
Listeners can expect in-depth discussions on foundational texts and theories that have shaped political thought. Themes covered include morality and ethics, democracy and statecraft, feminism and patriarchy, colonialism and revolution, liberty and equality. The episodes address how these intellectual contributions have influenced modern political discourse, often drawing parallels between historical crises such as wars, depressions, and pandemics, and today's political challenges.
Runciman frequently examines the motivations and broader contexts within which these ideas were formulated, providing a nuanced understanding of each thinker's perspective. For instance, the podcast navigates through the minimalist state defended by Robert Nozick, the radical feminist critiques by Catharine MacKinnon, and the acute observations on slavery by Frederick Douglass. Similarly, it addresses critiques of representative democracy by Joseph Schumpeter and Max Weber's exploration of political leadership.
Overall, the podcast presents a rich, textured analysis of political ideologies and movements, tracing their evolution and enduring impact. This comprehensive discussion helps listeners gain insights into the trajectory of political theories and their significance in navigating current political scenarios. The podcast is therefore a valuable resource for anyone interested in historical and theoretical underpinnings of modern political thought.
Episodes: |
History of Ideas Q and A 2021-May-08 39 minutes |
Shklar on Hypocrisy 2021-Apr-20 46 minutes |
Nozick on Utopia 2021-Apr-13 45 minutes |
Rawls on Justice 2021-Apr-06 48 minutes |
De Beauvoir on the Other 2021-Mar-30 47 minutes |
Schumpeter on Democracy 2021-Mar-23 47 minutes |
Schmitt on Friend vs Enemy 2021-Mar-16 45 minutes |
Luxemburg on Revolution 2021-Mar-09 46 minutes |
Nietzsche on Morality 2021-Mar-02 46 minutes |
Butler on Machines 2021-Feb-23 47 minutes |
Douglass on Slavery 2021-Feb-16 46 minutes |
Bentham on Pleasure 2021-Feb-09 47 minutes |
Rousseau on Inequality 2021-Feb-02 47 minutes |
Q & A with David 2020-Jul-03 48 minutes |
Fukuyama on History 2020-May-25 46 minutes |
MacKinnon on Patriarchy 2020-May-22 44 minutes |
Fanon on Colonialism 2020-May-18 41 minutes |
Arendt on Action 2020-May-15 44 minutes |
Hayek on the Market 2020-May-11 43 minutes |
Weber on Leadership 2020-May-08 44 minutes |
Gandhi on self-rule 2020-May-04 44 minutes |
Marx and Engels on Revolution 2020-May-01 43 minutes |
Tocqueville on Democracy 2020-Apr-30 44 minutes |
Constant on Liberty 2020-Apr-29 46 minutes |
Wollstonecraft on Sexual Politics 2020-Apr-28 46 minutes |
Hobbes on the State 2020-Apr-27 59 minutes |
Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS 2020-Apr-20 2 minutes |