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United States
China
Artificial Intelligence
Us-China Relations
Donald Trump
Far-Right
AI Regulation
US Administrative State
Democracy
January 6th Insurrection
Bureaucracy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Russia
MAGA Movement
Partisan Polarization
Tea Party
Republican Party
Semiconductors
Copyright Law
Us-China Tech Rivalry

The Ballpark is the LSE US Centre's regular podcast on the politics and policy of the United States. Through features and interviews with academics from the LSE and elsewhere, The Ballpark looks more closely into what's going on behind the headlines.

PublishesDailyEpisodes5852Founded10 years ago
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EducationCoursesScienceSocial Sciences

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Latest Episodes

To talk about the current state of US-China relations, in October 2025 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Join us for this public lecture where Kenneth Rogoff will discuss his recently released book Our Dollar, Your Problem: An insider's view of seven turbulent decades of global finance and the road ahead.

The famous epithet that “the old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters”, is most often attributed to the Marxist thinker and revolutionary Antonio Gramsci.

For the past two centuries, growth in energy supply has been fundamental to human progress and economic development. But fossil fuel dependence is driving climate change at an unprecedented scale. Can emerging technologies for producing and using ele... more

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Recent Guests

Charles Kupchan
Professor of International Affairs in the School of Foreign Service and Government Department at Georgetown University and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
Georgetown University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | The promise and peril of Trump’s America First with Professor Charles Kupchan
Gili Vidan
Assistant Professor of Information Science at Cornell University's Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science
Cornell University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | AI and deepfakes with Dr Gili Vidan
Dr. Jennifer Lind
Associate Professor of Government at Dartmouth College, expert on international relations of East Asia
Dartmouth College
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Autocracy 2.0: How China’s Rise Reinvented Tyranny with Dr Jennifer Lind
Evan Medeiros
Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies and Kling Family Senior Fellow in US-China Relations at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | US-China strategic competition with Professor Evan Medeiros
Dr. Josephine Lukito
Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism and Media specializing in disinformation and misinformation on social media.
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | AI, social media, and political disinformation with Dr Josephine Lukito
Ifeoma Ajunwa
Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law at Emory University and founding director of the AI and Future of Work Programme
Emory University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | AI and the workplace with Professor Ifeoma Ajunwa
Dr. Anat Lior
Assistant Professor at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law specializing in AI governance, liability, and emerging technologies
Drexel University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Who is liable for AI? With Dr Anat Lior
Baobao Zhang
Maxwell Dean, Associate Professor of the Politics of AI at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | AI automation and the workforce with Dr Baobao Zhang
Oona Hathaway
The Gerard C and Bernice La Trobe Smith Professor of International Law at Yale Law School and president-elect of the American Society of International Law
Yale Law School
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Might unmakes right with Professor Oona Hathaway

Host

Chris Gilson
Managing editor of the Phelan US Centre's blog on US politics and policy, and host of guest discussions on various socio-political themes.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#108
Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#232
France/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#33
Sweden/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#62
Philippines/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#130
Hong Kong/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#182
Norway/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts
#189
Denmark/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

LSE: The Ballpark | Deemphasizing Nuclear Weapons in Nuclear Deterrence with Dr Lauren Sukin
Q: Can you talk about how conventional counterforce works in practice and what makes it strategically and politically possible?
Conventional counterforce involves building collaborative military capabilities with allies and partners, focusing on precision strike systems and enhancing military cooperation in anticipation of conflicts that may involve nuclear threats.
LSE: The Ballpark | Deemphasizing Nuclear Weapons in Nuclear Deterrence with Dr Lauren Sukin
Q: What does this focus on nuclear weapons for both deterrence and reassurance mean for US foreign policy, and for the security of the region?
The focus on nuclear weapons has implications for US foreign policy and the security dynamics, particularly in East Asia, leading to potential military partnerships that could emphasize conventional forces over nuclear assets.
LSE: The Ballpark | Cultivating Democracy with Professor Mukulika Banerjee
Q: How did your ethnographic study inform you of democratic cultivation, and what lessons might it provide for the US?
Democratic values require nurturing like crops; citizens must work hard, be vigilant, and take responsibility for democracy to thrive, extending beyond electoral periods.
LSE: The Ballpark | The international order and US-China competition with Professor Shiping Tang
Q: What key differences exist in US and Chinese foreign policies?
The US engages in numerous wars while China remains locally focused and prioritizes economic development over military objectives.
LSE: The Ballpark | The international order and US-China competition with Professor Shiping Tang
Q: What does US-China competition look like, and why has it been a success in terms of development?
It's unique because China has become a significant economic power compared to the West, facilitating support to developing countries unlike previous rivalries.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ballpark

What is The Ballpark about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A consistent examination of United States politics and policies unfolds through various discussions and interviews featuring experts and academics. The content emphasizes the intricate relationship between contemporary issues such as AI, public policy, and international relations—particularly with nations like China. Listeners are likely to encounter deep dives into topics like the implications of political decisions under recent administrations, the evolving landscape of U.S.-China relations, and the ethical concerns arising from technological advancements. Notably, the podcast stands out for its inclusion of scholarly perspectives on pressing societal challenges, blending theory with practical insights for a more comprehensive understandi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ballpark?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ballpark:

1. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Ballpark are there?

The Ballpark launched 10 years ago and published 5852 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 The Ballpark?

Recent guests on The Ballpark include:

1. Charles Kupchan
2. Gili Vidan
3. Dr. Jennifer Lind
4. Evan Medeiros
5. Dr. Josephine Lukito
6. Ifeoma Ajunwa
7. Dr. Anat Lior
8. Baobao Zhang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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