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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
Latino Voters
India
Global Trade
U.S. Foreign Policy
Semiconductors
Globalization
Neoliberal Globalization
Nuclear Weapons
Russia

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes5852Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for LSE: The Ballpark

Latest Episodes

Donald Trump’s first presidential term meant that many allies, including in the EU and Europe, were forced to consider the possibility that the United States could no longer be a reliable partner in global affairs.

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To talk about Donald Trump’s foreign policy, in February 2026 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Walter Russell Mead

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From the rise of Donald Trump in the US, Brexit in the United Kingdom and Victor Orban in Hungary and National Rally in France, anti-system populists have seen a resurgence in many western democracies in the last decade.

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From China’s growing influence in Europe to deepening Russia–China cooperation and the ripple effects of Trump’s America First policies, Eurasia has emerged as a single, highly contested geopolitical space.

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Recent Guests

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
Gordon Hanson
The Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy at Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | How to help left behind regions and workers with Professor Gordon Hanson
Professor Michael Cox
Founding director of LSE Ideas and emeritus professor of international relations at LSE
London School of Economics
Episode: LSE: The Ballpark | LSE at 130 and the United States with Professor Michael Cox

Host

Chris Gilson
Host of The Ballpark

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
    Netherlands7 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.

The show's interviews are praised for clarity and depth, making complex topics approachable.
Listeners find it accessible and well-grounded in political science, without sacrificing rigor.
Guested discussions are seen as insightful and policy-relevant, with strong academic framing.

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 | 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.
LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall
Q: Looking ahead, do you foresee any challenges or problems that might arise from China's three personality problem and its position on the world stage at the moment?
He argues it will be tricky to balance national interests with a benevolent, peaceful image while handling frictions in regions like the South China Sea and managing interactions with other powers; leadership personalities matter, but institutional constraints and multiple drivers shape outcomes.

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 show centers on US politics, foreign policy, and political economy, hosting in-depth conversations with scholars and policy experts. Episodes frequently unpack how demographic shifts, AI governance, media and disinformation, and international relations shape policy and public perception. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex academic research into accessible discussions, with guest scholars from top universities and think tanks providing nuanced analyses of current events and long-term trends. The format is interview-forward, often linking theory to real-world policy implications, making it helpful for listeners who want rigorous, interdisciplinary takes on US and global politics.

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Which podcasts are similar to LSE: The Ballpark?

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

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. The President’s Inbox
3. Political Fix
4. Ones and Tooze
5. Pekingology

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.

How do I contact LSE: The Ballpark?

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What guests have appeared on LSE: The Ballpark?

Recent guests on LSE: The Ballpark include:

1. Kathleen McNamara
2. Walter Russell Mead
3. Ian Shapiro
4. Raja Mohan
5. Todd Hall
6. Anne-Marie Slaughter
7. Scott Kennedy
8. Gordon Hanson

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