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Artwork for The Last Best Hope?

The Last Best Hope?

Adam Smith
American Revolution
Bill Clinton
Boston Tea Party
Fascism
George H.W. Bush
Civil Rights Movement
Kennedy Assassination
U.S. Presidential Elections
Ross Perot
Lee Harvey Oswald
Boston
Samuel Adams
Franklin Roosevelt
German American Bund
Ku Klux Klan
Abraham Lincoln
Phyllis Wheatley
Belinda
Dred Scott Decision
Declaration Of Independence

Historian and broadcaster Professor Adam Smith explores the America of today through the lens of the past. Is America - as Abraham Lincoln once claimed - the last best hope of Earth?

Produced by Oxford University’s world-leading Rothermere American Institute, each story-filled episode looks at the US from the outside in – delving into the political events, conflicts, speeches and songs that have s... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes72Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Last Best Hope?

Latest Episodes

In this special episode of The Last Best Hope, we bring you a recording of a live event at the Rothermere American Institute in Oxford on Thursday, November 7. Adam Smith and guests discussed why the election turned out the way it did.

The panellis... more

The US is in an Age of Polarization. From the 1930s to the 1980s, voter allegiances were more fluid, and presidents sometimes won massive landslides (think Reagan in 1984 or Nixon in 1972). But for the last thirty years, a huge gulf between the parti... more

When the media talks about the evangelical vote today, what or to whom are they referring? Who are the people who self-identify in this way? Should we understand them as a group defined by their faith, their style of worship, by distinctive theologic... more

AGE OF POLARIZATION ELECTION SPECIAL PART 3: 2008

The US is in an Age of Polarization. From the 1930s to the 1980s, voter allegiances were more fluid, and presidents sometimes won massive landslides (think Reagan in 1984 or Nixon in 1972). But for t... more

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Recent Guests

Patrick Andelic
Academic from the University of Northumbria
University of Northumbria
Episode: The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 4: 2016
EJ Dionne Jr.
Distinguished journalist and author, long-time op-ed columnist for the Washington Post
The Washington Post
Episode: God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America
Kristen Koba Dumay
Author of Jesus and John Wayne, professor at Calvin University
Calvin University
Episode: God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America
David Campbell
Political scientist at Notre Dame, expert on the role of religion in politics
University of Notre Dame
Episode: God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America
Ursula Hackett
Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway University of London and author of America's Voucher Politics.
Royal Holloway University of London
Episode: The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 2: 2000
Paddy Andelic
Author of Donkey Work, Congressional Democrats in Conservative America, 1974-1994.
University of Northumbria
Episode: The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 2: 2000
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
Professor of Law at Stetson University and author of books on campaign finance
Stetson University
Episode: Dark Money: Can billionaires buy elections in America?
Brody Mullins
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter, author of 'The Wolves of K Street'
Wall Street Journal
Episode: Dark Money: Can billionaires buy elections in America?
Frank Towers
Professor of History at the University of Calgary, focusing on 19th century US history and politics.
University of Calgary
Episode: Rigged! Anxiety about election integrity in America

Host

Adam Smith
Host of The Last Best Hope and Professor and Director at the Rothermere American Institute. Smith is a distinguished historian and broadcaster with a focus on American history, its cultural implications, and political impacts.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 253 ratings
  • Wasted of time

    Came for history, got politics… that didn’t age well. Out of touch which suggest if this person is a scholar he was educated by fools. No true sense of actual insight or even attempt to understand different MODERN/CURRENT political views… which I have no idea why they are even needed for historical storytelling which makes the commentary on past political stances suspect. Thankfully the episodes are short so I didn’t waste too much time. gave a second episode and try and five mins in I couldn’t ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dAnRam
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent

    I found The Last Best Hope through The Rest Is History. The guests are serious scholars, and each episode offers thought-provoking insights into the historical forces that shape modern America.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    InfamousLN
    United States7 months ago
  • Consistently intriguing

    I love the framing of the podcast and the host and his producers bring interesting voices to the show. I have learned new things about American history from every episode. And every one is well organized and very engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KiraGould
    United Statesa year ago
  • Top Notch

    A first class podcast. Informed, thoughtful and tells you the things that you don’t already know or hear from mainstream media.

    Great to have a historian of Smith’s stature sharing such insights.

    One of the very best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ipaul321
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Very interesting.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Michael Comiskey
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews highlight the academic depth and quality of guests, praising the nuanced discussions.
Listeners appreciate the insightful framing of historical topics and the engaging style of the host.
The podcast is frequently described as essential for anyone interested in American history and its current implications.
A portion of listeners acknowledges potential biases but still appreciates the thought-provoking content.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 3: 2008
Q: What role did social media play in the 2008 election?
It marked a shift towards a media-dominated political environment, allowing for grassroots campaigns that bypassed traditional media controls.
The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 3: 2008
Q: How does the coalition that elected Barack Obama differ from coalitions of previous Democratic victories?
It includes a generational bloc comprised of young, educated voters and racial minorities, signaling a new electoral path for the Democratic Party.
The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 3: 2008
Q: Does the significance of the election of the first black president still stand the test of time?
Yes, despite the backlash that followed Obama's election and the racial tensions that surfaced, it remains significant given America's history of racial conflict and discrimination.
God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America
Q: Is there a theological definition or a form of worship that defines this group or not?
The response highlights that many self-identify as evangelical not strictly based on religious practice but rather political and cultural values.
How are Latino voters changing America?
Q: Why was it the case that 20 years ago there was this axiomatic assumption that the rising proportion of Latinos would benefit the Democratic Party?
The Democratic Party historically aligned more closely with the interests of Latino communities and had stronger outreach efforts.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Best Hope?

What is The Last Best Hope? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historical exploration of contemporary America through its past, focusing on pivotal events, figures, and cultural dynamics that have shaped the nation. Each episode features in-depth discussions about various topics, from political elections and media relations to cultural movements and the influence of historical figures on current events. The host, a distinguished historian, engages with experts to provide fresh perspectives and narratives that challenge mainstream views, aiming to deepen the understanding of how historical context influences today's societal issues.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Last Best Hope??

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Last Best Hope?:

1. The Rest Is History
2. Empire
3. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
4. The Rest Is Classified
5. Battleground

How many episodes of The Last Best Hope? are there?

The Last Best Hope? launched 5 years ago and published 72 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 Last Best Hope??

Recent guests on The Last Best Hope? include:

1. Patrick Andelic
2. EJ Dionne Jr.
3. Kristen Koba Dumay
4. David Campbell
5. Ursula Hackett
6. Paddy Andelic
7. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
8. Brody Mullins

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