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LSE: The Ballpark

LSE Film and Audio Team
China
United States
US Foreign Policy
Artificial Intelligence
Us-China Relations
Donald Trump
Democracy
International Relations
Nuclear Deterrence
Trump Administration
European Union
North Korea
Latino Voters
India
Global Trade
U.S. Foreign Policy
Semiconductors
Globalization
Neoliberal Globalization
Nuclear Weapons

The Ballpark is the LSE Phelan 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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes5852Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for LSE: The Ballpark

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The 1990s were an important decade. They saw the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, falling trade barriers, an expanding capitalist democratic order and the rise of what came to be called the liberal international order.

The last two decades have seen significant growth in the relationship between China and the EU. Now, China is the EU’s biggest import and third-largest export partner. But this relationship is becoming increasingly one sided.

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While Trump’s foreign policy record has not been very successful elsewhere as wars continue to rage in Ukraine and in the Middle East, the exception is Europe which Trump seems to want to divide and weaken.

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The last decade has seen a period of prolonged competition between the US and China with China continuing to grow economically and pursue technological self-reliance while the US attempts to hinder this growth through measures like export controls.

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Recent Guests

Noah Barkin
Senior adviser at the Rhodium Group; expert on Europe-China relations and transatlantic policy
Rhodium Group
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | EU-China relations in the Trump era with Noah Barkin
Nathalie Tocci
Professor of Practice at Johns Hopkins SAIS; Director of the Institute for International Affairs in Rome
Johns Hopkins University SAIS; IIA Rome
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Donald Trump and the unmaking of Europe with Professor Nathalie Tocci
Kathleen McNamara
Professor of Government and Foreign Service at Georgetown University; visiting professor at the Phelan US Centre
Georgetown University; Phelan US Centre
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Donald Trump and the future of US-EU relations with Professor Kathleen McNamara
Walter Russell Mead
Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at the Hudson Institute; Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida; Global View columnist at The Wall Street Journal
Hudson Institute; University of Florida; The Wall Street Journal
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | American foreign policy in the age of Trump with Professor Walter Russell Mead
Ian Shapiro
Sterling Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs at Yale University; visiting professor at the Phelan US Centre
Yale University; Phelan US Centre
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | After the Fall: From the End of History to the Crisis of Democracy with Professor Ian Shapiro
Raja Mohan
Distinguished fellow at the Council on Strategic and Defence Research; visiting professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore
Council on Strategic and Defence Research; Institute of South Asian Studies, NUS
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | America first and the future of Eurasian geopolitics with Dr C Raja Mohan
Todd Hall
Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford; Director of the Oxford 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
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy

Host

Chris Gilson
Host of The Ballpark and managing editor of the Phelan US Centre's blog on US politics and policy.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Great Political Science Podcast

    This is a great podcast, sharing insights from political science with the greater public.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nyvva
    Netherlands8 years ago
  • Well worth subscribing

    On a friend's recommendation gave this series a listen and found it very accessible and interesting. Having studied American foreign policy, Episode 3 had me wanting to put my two pennies worth in which is usually a good sign. Well worth subscribing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan_Breslin
    United Kingdom10 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Shows clear, evidence-based insight into political science and policy.
Thoughtful discussions on democracy, governance, and geopolitical shifts.
Accessible yet rigorous, great for listeners who want to understand US foreign policy.
Guests bring deep expertise from academia and policy to explain complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

LSE: The Ballpark | EU-China relations in the Trump era with Noah Barkin
Q: What role does Germany play in shaping Europe's China policy, and why is it so pivotal?
Germany acts as a swing state with deep economic ties to China; its stance influences the whole EU, balancing investment in China with protectionist pressures at home, which makes German policy a bellwether for European unity on China policy.
LSE: The Ballpark | Donald Trump and the future of US-EU relations with Professor Kathleen McNamara
Q: You've described the EU as a unique governance experiment in a shifting global order; how does Trump's approach accelerate or hinder Europe's move toward strategic autonomy?
Trump's America First policy disrupts long-standing transatlantic expectations and accelerates EU discussions about developing autonomous military and political capabilities, while also exposing internal divisions that Europe must manage to stay unified.
LSE: The Ballpark | After the Fall: From the End of History to the Crisis of Democracy with Professor Ian Shapiro
Q: Have you filled out the Ballpark survey yet?
The host asks about the survey and its role in shaping the show's 10th anniversary, while Shapiro responds by continuing the broader discussion on audience engagement and the episode's themes.
LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall
Q: Why do these stories about US–China relations have such appeal, and who gets to represent the emotion of a nation?
He explains that stories help people make sense of the world and that the representation of popular emotion is itself a political act, often revealing the ideology of those who frame the discourse and potentially guiding or manipulating public sentiment.
LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall
Q: Moving to another aspect of your work, what are the stories policymakers tell themselves about US–China relations and what are their consequences?
He outlines several dominant narratives—forces of history, the democracy vs. autocracy clash, and interests-based stories—each shaping policy preferences, expectations, and potential cooperation or conflict, while recognizing the limits and overlaps among them.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About LSE: The Ballpark

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

The conversations span US foreign policy, geopolitics, and governance with a strong emphasis on transatlantic relations, democracy, and global power dynamics. Across episodes, listeners hear rigorous analysis of Trump-era policy, US–Europe ties, Eurasian security, and the evolving roles of major powers like China and India, often framed through historical context and institutional perspectives. Noteworthy angles include the rise of demographic and technological change in governance, the spread of disinformation, and the potential path toward more inclusive, pragmatic policy solutions. The show stands out for its academic rigor, policy relevance, and ability to translate complex international issues into accessible discussions for profession... more

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Which podcasts are similar to LSE: The Ballpark?

These podcasts share a similar audience with LSE: The Ballpark:

1. LSE: Public lectures and events
2. The Rachman Review
3. Foreign Policy Live
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Politics Weekly UK

How many episodes of LSE: The Ballpark are there?

LSE: 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 LSE: The Ballpark?

Recent guests on LSE: The Ballpark include:

1. Noah Barkin
2. Nathalie Tocci
3. Kathleen McNamara
4. Walter Russell Mead
5. Ian Shapiro
6. Raja Mohan
7. Todd Hall
8. Anne-Marie Slaughter

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