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Past Present Future

David Runciman
Montaigne
David Hume
George Orwell
Susan Sontag
Quietism
Public Debt
Henry David Thoreau
James Baldwin
Reparations
An Apology For Raymond Sabond
Renaissance Philosophy
Civil War In France
Skepticism
Suicide
Slavery
Mexican-American War
Civil Disobedience
Slavery In America
Joan Didion
Donald Trump

Past Present Future is a bi-weekly History of Ideas podcast with David Runciman, host and creator of Talking Politics, exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, culture to technology. David talks to historians, novelists, scientists and many others about where the most interesting ideas come from, what they mean, and why they matter. Ideas from the past, questions about the prese... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes291Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsHistory

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Artwork for Past Present Future

Latest Episodes

In part three of our series about political conversions David talks to historian David Klemperer about the people who left Trotskyism behind – and where they ended up. From 1940s America to contemporary Britain, from the Second World War to the Iraq ... more

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In today’s episode David talks to political historian David Klemperer about a group of writers and other intellectuals who embraced and then renounced Communism before and during the Second World War. Was the pull of Communism really comparable to th... more

YouTube

Today’s episode is the first in a new series of conversations with political historian David Klemperer about what causes people to switch sides, ideologies and worldviews – stories of political conversion. We begin with converts from socialism to fas... more

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In today’s episode, which was recorded in front of students, parents and teachers from three schools in Oxford, David talks to historian of America Adam Smith about whether the US might be drifting into another civil war. Are the circumstances of tod... more

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Recent Guests

Adam Smith
Historian of the United States
Episode: Live Special: Another American Civil War?
Lyse Doucet
BBC's Chief International Correspondent
BBC
Episode: Live Special: Is This How Democracy Ends? w/Lyse Doucet, Chris Clark & Thant Myint-U
Thant Myint-U
UN diplomat and writer, guide on the podcast
University of Groningen / Writer
Episode: Live Special: Is This How Democracy Ends? w/Lyse Doucet, Chris Clark & Thant Myint-U
Luke Kemp
Guest expert on societal collapse, discussed in conversation
Episode: Where Are We Going? Societal Collapse – The Present Day
Sonya Amadae
Director of the Center for Existential Risk
Episode: Where Are We Going? Nuclear War Part 2
Sonia Amadae
Director of the Center for Existential Risk and expert in nuclear weapons studies.
Center for Existential Risk
Episode: Where Are We Going? Nuclear War Part 1
Paul Sagar
Political theorist and commentator
Episode: What’s Wrong with Political Philosophy? Learning from Aristotle
Helen Thompson
Political economist, writer, and commentator
Episode: Talking Geopolitics with Helen Thompson: The Weirdness of American Power
Glen Rangwala
Historian and political scientist who was involved in dismantling the case that the British government made for the Iraq war in 2003.
Episode: Politics on Trial: The Trial and Execution of Saddam Hussein

Host

David Runciman
Host of Past Present Future

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Welcome return of Helen Thompson

    Brilliant to have Helen Thompson back with David on this important and fascinating topic. Makes me realise how much I’ve missed the old Talking Politics podcast and the coming together of these two brilliant thinkers and communicators. Much more please.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kit_44
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Horrible Ads Break Into the Conversation

    Great topics but the ads are horrible and there is no warning music to let the listener know that they are coming. Such a shame you ruined the listener experience! Please respect the listener and your guests and add some way to alert a listener to the upcoming ads. Take a clue from Ezra Klein on this.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    A Turned-off Listener
    United States2 months ago
  • I adore this podcast!

    I’ve become someone obsessed with this podcast. So erudite and wide-ranging. The series of deep dives into historical trials is one of the fascinating studies into the intersection of justice and politics that I’ve come across. I also thoroughly recommend subscribing; the bonus eps are just as riveting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Foresthillbilly95
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Would’ve been so much better without the propaganda

    The Farage episode descended into left wing propaganda before long. Shame they couldn’t bring themselves to produce something impartial and succumbed to the left wing hysteria.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sw1200
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Public Good

    Thank you for making this podcast! 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EBQLD
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel ads interrupt the flow and wish for better ad pacing or warnings.
Listeners praise the host's clarity and the depth of guests, often highlighting thoughtful, erudite discussions.
Episodes are described as deeply researched, accessible, and intellectually nourishing, with high praise for guest quality.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#31
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#62
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#62
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#215
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Where Are We Going? Nuclear War Part 3
Q: So do you think it's more likely to shift that pattern of thinking, so the lower level of these fractals, so that what cascades up is something more like a consciousness of the real risks that we're running?
There could be a global crisis that focuses people's attention on the risks and the need for political leadership, but there are also factors that might weaken the ability of democracies to adapt.
Where Are We Going? Nuclear War Part 3
Q: Do you think in the absence, I know I'm being the pessimistic one here, but I do feel pessimistic about this?
In the absence of another use of nuclear weapons, the argument that deterrence works may be politically framed, making a re-focus on broader existential risks difficult.
Fixing Democracy: Confronting the Strongmen
Q: Is there a potential for a female strongman in politics?
While there are examples of female leaders with authoritarian tendencies, a true female strongman model, akin to male strongmen, is still not established in the contemporary context.
Fixing Democracy: Confronting the Strongmen
Q: What are the structural conditions allowing for strongmen to emerge?
The weakening of democratic norms and institutions has allowed for strongman leaders to take root across various systems.
Fixing Democracy Q&A w/David Klemperer: Oligarchy, Ageing Populations and How to Make Things Worse
Q: Should we restrict the franchise for older voters?
While the idea of restricting voting rights based on age might seem appealing, it fundamentally contradicts the egalitarian understanding of voting as a right.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Past Present Future

What is Past Present Future about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on the history of ideas, exploring how political philosophy, history, culture, and technology intersect to shape current events and future possibilities. Conversations frequently feature historians, political theorists, and thinkers who unpack enduring questions about power, legitimacy, justice, and governance, alongside broader debates about geopolitics, existential risk, and societal change. A standout aspect is the host's ability to weave deep intellectual analysis with accessible storytelling, often drawing on historical episodes, trials, and political controversies to illuminate contemporary issues. The format tends to include rigorous, idea-driven dialogue with prominent scholars and public intellectuals, making it... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Past Present Future?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Past Present Future:

1. The LRB Podcast
2. Ones and Tooze
3. Close Readings
4. The Econoclasts
5. Daily Politics from the New Statesman

How many episodes of Past Present Future are there?

Past Present Future launched 3 years ago and published 291 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Past Present Future?

Recent guests on Past Present Future include:

1. Adam Smith
2. Lyse Doucet
3. Thant Myint-U
4. Luke Kemp
5. Sonya Amadae
6. Sonia Amadae
7. Paul Sagar
8. Helen Thompson

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