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Artwork for Past Present Future

Past Present Future

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes280Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsHistoryPolitics

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Artwork for Past Present Future

Latest Episodes

Today’s episode is the third and final of David’s conversations with S. M. Amadae about nuclear weapons and nuclear war, this time looking to the future. What are the prospects for nuclear disarmament in the 21st century? How does the risk of nuclear... more

In today’s episode David talks to S. M. Amadae about what happened when the nuclear age turned into an all-consuming arms race. What is the supposed logic and the terrifying illogic behind the idea of Mutually Assured Destruction? What is the differ... more

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For the first in a new series of conversations exploring the future that faces us all, David talks to S. M. Amadae about what nuclear weapons and the prospect of nuclear war have done to the human condition. Was 1945 the decisive watershed in the his... more

YouTube

Today’s episode explores the ideas of two late-twentieth-century thinkers who argued that political philosophy needs to be concerned with more than just justice. David talks to Paul Sagar about why Bernard Williams thought we should focus on question... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
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
Beeban Kidron
Film Director and Campaigner, Baroness Kidron
Episode: Films of Ideas: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind w/Beeban Kidron
Nikhil Krishnan
Philosopher and writer, author of 'A Terribly Serious Adventure'
Episode: Films of Ideas: Wittgenstein w/Nikhil Krishnan
Lee Hall
Playwright and screenwriter known for his work on Billy Elliot and Rocketman.
Episode: Films of Ideas: My Dinner with Andre w/Lee Hall
Julian Jackson
Historian and author of France on Trial, discussing the trial of Marshal Pétain
Author
Episode: Politics on Trial: France on Trial Part 2 – Vichy vs the Jews
David Klemperer
Political historian from the Constitution Society
Constitution Society
Episode: Fixing Democracy: Compulsory Voting

Host

David Runciman
Host and creator focused on exploring the History of Ideas through engaging conversations.

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 Kingdoma month 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 Statesa month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • Public Good

    Thank you for making this podcast! 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EBQLD
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critics express concerns about potential biases in contemporary political discussions but acknowledge the insightful historical analysis.
The host is noted for a compelling delivery and clarity, often engaging listeners with challenging yet accessible ideas.
Listeners praise the intellectual depth and quality of guests, highlighting the fascinating intersections of history and contemporary issues.
Some find the discussions esoteric but insightful, appreciating the thoughtful critique of political narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#147
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#20
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#122
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#61
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Fixing Democracy Q&A w/David Klemperer: Oligarchy, Ageing Populations and How to Make Things Worse
Q: How can we remove money from politics? Will corporations rule going forward?
Money in politics equals corporate power, and while one could try to keep corporate money out of politics, democratizing corporations might allow citizens influence over corporate outcomes, which is beneficial for democracy.
Fixing Democracy Q&A w/David Klemperer: Oligarchy, Ageing Populations and How to Make Things Worse
Q: How do we know if democracy needs fixing?
It can be easy to treat outcomes of democratic processes we don't like as failures of democracy, but we also see clear evidence that democracy isn't functioning well around the world, including declining public trust and rising authoritarianism.

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?

Exploring a broad spectrum of ideas, the series engages listeners with intellectually stimulating conversations on topics ranging from politics and philosophy to culture and technology. By featuring diverse guests, including historians and novelists, it offers unique insights into the historical context of contemporary issues and their implications for our future. The engaging discussions approach complex subjects with clarity, making them accessible and thought-provoking for a wide audience. This series is distinctive for its blend of rigorous academic thought and conversational style, appealing to those eager to deepen their understanding of how past ideas shape the present and influence the future.

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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. Close Readings
3. Ones and Tooze
4. The Econoclasts
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast

How many episodes of Past Present Future are there?

Past Present Future launched 3 years ago and published 280 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. Sonya Amadae
2. Sonia Amadae
3. Paul Sagar
4. Glen Rangwala
5. Beeban Kidron
6. Nikhil Krishnan
7. Lee Hall
8. Julian Jackson

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