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

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
Number of ListenersCategories
CoursesSocial SciencesScienceEducation

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Artwork for The Ballpark

Latest Episodes

Understanding China’s role in the world has never been more important — or more complex. China projects itself variously as a moral global actor, a fiercely defensive power guarding its core interests, and a pragmatic, opportunistic player.

America is undergoing profound change. Demographic transformation, shifting global power dynamics, and a foreign policy establishment in transition are reshaping how the United States sees itself—and how the world responds.

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.

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Recent Guests

Todd Hall
Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, Director of the University of Oxford's China Centre
University of Oxford
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall
Anne-Marie Slaughter
CEO of New America and a leading thinker on global governance, democracy, and US foreign policy.
New America
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | America adrift with Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter
Scott Kennedy
Senior Advisor and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Centre for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy
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

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.

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Talking Points

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LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall
Q: Could you discuss the three personalities and how they function in practice?
They function as complementary drivers: a moral, a defensive-assertive, and an opportunistic strand that can reinforce or conflict with each other, shaping both rhetoric and action in foreign policy while interacting with domestic considerations and global incentives.
LSE: The Ballpark | America adrift with Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter
Q: What challenges do you think are the most pressing for US transatlantic relationships in the coming years?
Slaughter stresses the need for a commitment to democratic values amidst rising diversity and geopolitical shifts, warning against complacency in US global leadership.
LSE: The Ballpark | America adrift with Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter
Q: How has the current Trump administration differed in its approach to foreign policy making?
The Trump administration reflects a transitional phase, intertwining demographic change with right-wing populism, disrupting traditional foreign policy assumptions.
LSE: The Ballpark | America adrift with Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter
Q: Could you give our listeners a brief overview of the types of demographic trends the US is currently facing?
Slaughter discusses the shift towards a diverse America where the European American population will comprise about 48%, along with significant Hispanic, African American, and Asian American communities, altering assumptions about cultural identity and governance.
LSE: The Ballpark | US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy
Q: How can China's efforts to promote domestic innovation be beneficial and destructive to the global economy?
China's innovations can lead to advancements in sectors like pharmaceuticals and electric vehicles, benefiting global industries, but they also come with risks related to competition, job security, and economic disruptions for other countries.

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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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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. Todd Hall
2. Anne-Marie Slaughter
3. Scott Kennedy
4. Charles Kupchan
5. Gili Vidan
6. Dr. Jennifer Lind
7. Evan Medeiros
8. Dr. Josephine Lukito

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