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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
North Korea
European Union
India
Latino Voters
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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes5852Founded10 years ago
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CoursesEducationScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for LSE: The Ballpark

Latest Episodes

AI has become easily accessible, easy to use, and for many people, it’s a useful tool. This means that AI is being used by individuals and institutions to help solve a variety of challenges, from everyday decision-making to pressing global issues.

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In 2026, the Phelan US Centre ran an essay competition for LSE master’s students with the prompt, “What role can democratic citizenry play in shaping America’s role in the world as it enters its 250th year?"

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The global economy is undergoing profound transformation. Geopolitical realignments, rising economic nationalism, climate disruption, trade fragmentation, and technological upheaval are reshaping the foundations of international economic relations.

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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.

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Recent Guests

Chinmayi Sharma
Associate Professor at Fordham Law School; research affiliate at the Institute for Law and AI
Fordham Law School; Institute for Law and AI
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | AI harm, accountability, and cybersecurity with Dr Chinmayi Sharma
Alexander Minford
Master in Public Administration and Global Affairs student; winner of the competition
LSE School of Public Policy
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | How democratic citizenry can shape America’s role in the world - Master’s students essay competition 2026
Christina Shimonova
Master's student in the research track of International Relations
LSE
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | How democratic citizenry can shape America’s role in the world - Master’s students essay competition 2026
Iman Sheikh
Master's in Political Behaviour at LSE
LSE
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | How democratic citizenry can shape America’s role in the world - Master’s students essay competition 2026
Edward Mansfield
Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | The Global Economy in a Changing World Order
Nita Rudra
Professor at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | The Global Economy in a Changing World Order
G. John Ikenberry
Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Rethinking the 1990s with Professors G. John Ikenberry and Peter Trubowitz
Peter Trubowitz
Professor of International Relations and Director of the Phelan US Centre, LSE; Associate Fellow at Chatham House
London School of Economics
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | Rethinking the 1990s with Professors G. John Ikenberry and Peter Trubowitz
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

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 | AI harm, accountability, and cybersecurity with Dr Chinmayi Sharma
Q: In 2024, you wrote a paper called AI's Hippocratic Oath. What would a Hippocratic Oath for AI look like and who should take it?
The oath represents an aspirational ethical commitment rather than a hard legal contract. It would require AI developers and potentially the institutions that deploy AI to abide by principles of harm minimization, transparency, and accountability, with a history of professionalization and licensing evolving to ensure responsible practice. It's meant to provoke broader discussion and consider who is responsible for the consequences of AI deployment.
LSE: The Ballpark | Rethinking the 1990s with Professors G. John Ikenberry and Peter Trubowitz
Q: What lessons can current leaders draw from the 1990s when facing today's geopolitical challenges?
Leaders should balance expansion with robust domestic protections, maintain credible alliances, and foster institutions that attract rather than provoke counterweights, ensuring openness while addressing domestic economic anxieties to prevent backlash against liberal order.
LSE: The Ballpark | Rethinking the 1990s with Professors G. John Ikenberry and Peter Trubowitz
Q: Why was the 1990s a pivotal decade for liberal internationalism, and what were the missed opportunities the book highlights?
The decade opened liberal institutions and expanded engagement, but the book argues that missed opportunities—such as insufficient sharing of leadership and failure to align domestic social protections with economic openness—undermined long-term buy-in and contributed to later dissatisfaction with liberal order.
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.

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?

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1. FT News Briefing
2. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
3. The Politics Show
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

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. Chinmayi Sharma
2. Alexander Minford
3. Christina Shimonova
4. Iman Sheikh
5. Edward Mansfield
6. Nita Rudra
7. G. John Ikenberry
8. Peter Trubowitz

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