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Artwork for Politics in Question
Democracy
Gerrymandering
US Democracy
Democratic Party
House Of Representatives
Republican Party
Urban-Rural Divide
Congress
Voting Behavior
Political Representation
Electoral College
Population Density
Historical Origins Of Political Institutions
Electoral Dynamics
Immigration
Populism
Political Participation
Political Institutions
Debt Ceiling
Political Polarization

A podcast about how our political institutions are failing us and ideas for fixing them. Join hosts Lee Drutman and James Wallner as they imagine and argue over what American politics could look like if citizens questioned everything. Politics In Question is a joint venture of New America and the Foundation for American Innovation.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes174Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentEducation

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Artwork for Politics in Question

Latest Episodes

In this week’s episode of Politics in Question, Lee chats with Danielle Thomsen about the role of money in politics. Thomsen is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine and author of The Money Signal: How Fundraising M... more

In this week’s episode of Politics in Question, Lee chats with Liz Suhay about the death and myth of the American Dream. Suhay is a professor of government in the School of Public Affairs at American University and the author of Debating the American... more

In this week’s episode of Politics in Question, Lee and James talk with their former co-host Julia Azari about the role of presidents in shaping of racial norms. Azari is a Professor of Political Science at Marquette University and author of Backlash... more

In this week’s episode of Politics in Question, Lee and James dive into the “moderate debate.” They discuss Lee’s recent Substack essay, The Moderation Debate Fiddles with 2% While Democracy’s Dimensionality Collapses.

Should parties move to the cen... more

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Recent Guests

Danielle Thomsen
Author of The Money Signal; political science professor
UC Irvine
Episode: Why Does Money Matter?
Elizabeth Suhay
Full professor at American University and author of Debating the American Dream
American University
Episode: Is the American Dream Dead?
Julia Azari
Professor at Marquette University and author of 'Backlash Presidents'
Marquette University
Episode: How Does Transformation Lead to Regression?
Stacey Abrams
Novelist, podcast host of Assembly Required, strategist and leader in American democracy advocacy
Fair Fight
Episode: How Do We Stop the Rise of Autocracy? Feat. Stacey Abrams
Matt Glassman
Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute
Government Affairs Institute
Episode: Why Are We in a Shutdown?
Hahrie Han
Director of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and professor and director of the P3 Research Lab
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: How Are Social Movements Built?
Oscar Pocasangre
Senior Data Analyst at New America
New America
Episode: Is American Politics Stuck in a Gerontocracy?
Dustin Wahl
Executive Director at Fix Our House
Fix Our House
Episode: Is American Politics Stuck in a Gerontocracy?
Anne Meeker
Deputy Director of the POPVox Foundation
POPVox Foundation
Episode: What's the Future of Casework?

Hosts

Lee Drutman
Senior Fellow at New America; Host of Politics in Question; lecturer at Johns Hopkins University
James Wallner
Vice President for Policy at the Foundation for American Innovation; Co-host/Host

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings
  • Great podcasts — but you need to indicate record date

    So the recording date of these recent pods (demographics, partisanship, etc) absolutely are not when these great interviews were recorded — which is SO weird and not great. If these are previously published pods being replayed, that’s fine but they need to be marked as such (like Lawfare does) and, I’d suggest an intro/outro that does some sort of framing and/or a reflection on the pod in relationship to what’s up now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaityC
    United Statesa year ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    Love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mustard76
    United States2 years ago
  • Praise from Democracy in Danger

    This was a great episode that makes the listener not only think critically about the questions and arguments presented by the hosts and their guest, but also about their own position on the topics being discussed.

    The conversation about how our politics is strained by a group of people who not only peddle dangerous conspiracies that have no theory behind them – unlike your classic conspiracy theories about Area 51 and the moon landing – but also use conspiracies to delegitimize their politic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DemocracyInDanger
    United States5 years ago
  • Very nformative

    I like the way the group asks questions of their guests from the hosts different viewpoints.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kcl1s
    United States5 years ago
  • Deep dive

    Well thought out questions by the hosts. The listener is let in on an in depth conversation about the challenges we face as a society from some of our top scholars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IvyVirginia
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is valued for challenging conventional political narratives with data-driven insights.
Some listeners want slower, clearer explanations and better production values.
Thoughtful, rigorous policy discussions from leading scholars.
Audio quality and host facilitation are generally praised.
Listeners appreciate the depth and expertise of the guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#124
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#202
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#247
South Korea/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the American Dream Dead?
Q: Is liberal propaganda driving the perception that the Dream is dead?
Suhay notes that public opinion data reveal Democrats more pessimistic about mobility, but the narrative is not simply propagandistic; it reflects observed inequalities and policy debates, with Republicans showing a more optimistic outlook on mobility.
Is the American Dream Dead?
Q: Is the American Dream dead as of January 2026?
Elizabeth Suhay argues that the Dream remains a high bar for many, but the data show Millennials and other groups face real barriers; the sentiment is more pessimistic among Democrats, while Republicans remain comparatively more optimistic, though the gap is not uniform across all subgroups.
How Did the Heartland Go Red?
Q: How do community narratives influence the way residents view national parties?
In Uniontown, residents see the Democrats as representatives of working-class interests, while in Gravesend, the Republican Party is seen as protecting their way of life from threats.
How Did the Heartland Go Red?
Q: What is the significance of local party leaders and local parties in shaping these communities' political behaviors?
Local party leaders shape candidate recruitment and help people understand what the parties represent; they play a key role in local politics.
How Did the Heartland Go Red?
Q: What are the crucial elements of class in understanding these communities?
I defined class at the county level by occupation and industry, focusing on working class occupations.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Politics in Question

What is Politics in Question about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, evidence-driven discussion on American political institutions, governance, and reform. Episodes center on how norms, institutions, and party dynamics shape policy outcomes, with deep dives into topics like impeachment,

moderation, elections, governance, and youth participation. The show consistently features prominent political scientists and policy researchers who bring historical context, data-driven insights, and practical reform ideas to current political questions. A notable strength is the rigorous, scholarly approach paired with accessible dialogue, making complex ideas approachable for listeners who want to understand how institutions could be improved. A recurring appeal is the blend of historical perspective with con... more

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1. GD POLITICS
2. Know Your Enemy
3. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
4. The Lawfare Podcast
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Politics in Question are there?

Politics in Question launched 7 years ago and published 174 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 Politics in Question?

Recent guests on Politics in Question include:

1. Danielle Thomsen
2. Elizabeth Suhay
3. Julia Azari
4. Stacey Abrams
5. Matt Glassman
6. Hahrie Han
7. Oscar Pocasangre
8. Dustin Wahl

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