
Politics isn’t always black and white. Dr. Bill Muck and Dr. Phil Barker, professors of political science and longtime friends, talk through the week’s news and discuss how political science might help make sense of things. In The Politics Lab, we put politics under the microscope.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 264 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsPoliticsGovernment | |||

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the war in Iran, revisit the legacy of Brexit ten years later, and ask one very important question: What's more stupid—the reflecting pool conspiracy, an all you can eat Greenland shrimp strategy, or a cabinet obsesse... more
This week, Bill and Phil examine the proposed U.S.–Iran Memorandum of Understanding and explore what a UFC fight on the White House lawn might tell us about the changing norms of American democracy.
This week, Bill and Phil discuss the latest developments in the Iran war and the prospects for peace. They then explore whether Democrats have a viable path back to electoral success before closing with a look at Trump’s controversial new compensatio... more
This week, Bill and Phil take on Donald Trump’s escalating clash with the Pope—from social media provocations and questionable theology to a broader question about faith, power, and political messaging. They then turn to Hungary’s elections as a test... more
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It’s informative, creative, and entertaining. I had learned about the podcast in a class of Dr. Mucks. It’s refreshing to hear current events from the standpoint of political academia, including when domestic news is alarming.
honestly one of the only political podcasts i can listen to without feeling super stressed out at the end. absolutely delightful.
I look forward to this podcast every week. There’s something about it that’s just so much more enjoyable than my other political run down podcasts. The hosts are charming and fun to listen too. It almost makes me wish I could take one of their classes!
From stat to finish I enjoy each eposode. Listen and learn.
I’m not sure what happened to barstool politics, but this new show is just as good. Thanks for keeping it going
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Two political science professors discuss current events through academic lenses, applying theories and frameworks to real-world politics. Episodes cover topics like religion in politics, populism, international propaganda, and shifts in global power, with frequent references to normative analysis, state conduct, and institutional norms. The format blends rigorous scholarly perspective with accessible debate, making complex topics approachable for listeners such as policy professionals, graduate students, and educated generalists who want deeper context behind week-to-week news.
Noteworthy is the explicit use of scholarly methods to critique rhetoric and policy, the blend of domestic and international case studies, and the consistent emphas... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Politics Lab:
1. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
2. This American Life
3. The NPR Politics Podcast
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The Politics Lab launched 6 years ago and published 264 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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Recent guests on The Politics Lab include:
1. Steven Levitsky
2. Barbara McQuade
3. Ezra Levin
4. Jake Lahut
5. Dr. Suzanne Chod
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