
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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 247 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryNewsPolitics | |||

Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival: David talks to Bruno Maçães and Sarah Wynn-Williams about who is winning in the fight for control between China and America, between state power and corpo... more
In today’s episode the two Davids try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had in response to this series, ranging from the very broad to the very specific. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever ... more
For the final episode in this series David talks to historian Ayse Zarakol about the prospects for democracy in the age of strongman politics, from Trump to Erdogan, from Orban to Modi. Where did the strongmen come from? How unusual is this kind of p... more
In our penultimate episode in this series David talks to writer Sam Freedman about whether democracy can cope with the demands of the social media age. Are we really more vulnerable to disinformation than we have ever been? Is the bigger problem our ... more
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Runciman is peerless.
Superbly researched, detailed and succinct. Each podcast is a very well structured story. When he’s on his own, the pace, consistency and phrasing of his delivery is so excellent. Sounds like he must be reading it , but sounds like he isn’t
It is often said that history is written by the victors. To that, we must now add: and reinforced by the so-called victors through the voices of academics from colonially advantaged institutions—now repackaging empire in the form of podcasts.
The obsessive focus on Trump, while not entirely unwarranted, distracts from a far more damning truth: that the very wealth, political ideology, and proclaimed superiority of the Global North—alongside its exalted academic institutions—are structurally and... more
I listen to this podcast to learn and delight in doing so.
host is insufferably pretentious and keeps inserting his own inane opinions on things into it but can be a useful quick summary if you bring a handful of salt.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #204 | |
Apple Podcasts | #31 | |
Apple Podcasts | #213 | |
Apple Podcasts | #51 | |
Apple Podcasts | #73 | |
Apple Podcasts | #143 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Exploring the intersections of politics, philosophy, culture, and technology, a bi-weekly series invites listeners to engage with historical ideas that continue to shape contemporary discourse. With a variety of guests ranging from historians to scientists, the discussions unravel complex topics such as electoral reform, dignity, and the implications of political trials through history. The show often delves into how past events and ideologies inform present-day issues, offering a thought-provoking perspective on ideas that matter in understanding our future. Notably, the blend of diverse voices and rigorous analysis positions the series as a rich resource for those eager to deepen their understanding of the humanities and political landsca... more
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Past Present Future launched 3 years ago and published 247 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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Recent guests on Past Present Future include:
1. David Klemperer
2. Alan Renwick
3. Claudia Chwalisz
4. Hannah White
5. Fintan O'Toole
6. Gary Gerstle
7. Alexander Douglas
8. Dan Snow
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