

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
ABC
Move beyond the headlines to see how the past defines our world. Whether it's a local or international story, Rear Vision's expert analysis gives you the background you need to understand today's news.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2025 • 29min
When the US Secret Service fails
The assassination attempt on Trump was a shocking mission failure for the Secret Service. From JFK to Reagan, we examine what the agency’s history and response to past failures.

Jan 8, 2025 • 31min
Joe Biden the man who wanted to be President
Joe Biden became the 46 President of the United States. Twice before he ran for the Democrat presidential nomination and both times he lost - but he didn't give up.Born in 1942 he has spent most of his working life in the US Senate, except for the eight years as Vice President in the Obama administration. What does his record in the Senator, and his previous attempts at the presidency tell us about Joe Biden the man and the politician.

Jan 5, 2025 • 29min
How political violence has shaped American politics
While America was founded on lofty ideas – like democracy, equality and freedom – it’s was also shaped and continues to be shaped by political violence. The history of political violence in America from the time of slavery through to the assassination attempt on Donald trump.

Jan 1, 2025 • 0sec
Nancy Pelosi once the most powerful woman in US politics
Nancy Pelosi was the Democrat Speaker of the House of Representative, during Donald Trump's first presidency. She was a constant thorn in his side and lead the push to impeachment him.For over four decades has has been a major player in US politics. And despite having retired from the House is said to have played a key role in getting Joe Biden to step aside last year. So, who is Nancy Pelosi.

Dec 29, 2024 • 29min
Capital gains are income so why are they taxed less than wages?
Australia starting taxing capital gains in 1986, stamping out a whole lot of tax evasion in the process.So why in 1999 did the Howard government introduce a discount on that tax? And how has that concession impacted investing in property?

Dec 25, 2024 • 30min
Hillary Clinton
Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

Dec 22, 2024 • 29min
The two-state solution—A way forward or more of the same
International leaders are calling for a two-state solution – as the only long-term way to solve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the occupied territories. But just how viable is the creation of a Palestinian state and does the political will exist on either side to negotiate a final agreement?

Dec 18, 2024 • 31min
Bernie Sanders: an idea whose time has come?
Bernie Sanders was the first independent and first self-professed socialist to be voted first into the House and then the US Senate, for decades. He has espoused the same message for over 40 years: affordable education, universal health care and economic equality. For most of those 40 years he was a voice in the wilderness but suddenly his message is resonating with thousands of young Americans - so what’s going on?

Dec 15, 2024 • 29min
How Australia's supermarket sector became one of the most concentrated in the world
Coles and Woolworths didn't start out in food retail but after making the switch in the 1950s they quickly started taking over the competition. We examine their rise to market dominance, and who are the winners and losers when an industry is dominated by just two players?

Dec 8, 2024 • 29min
Can you compare America in 2024 with Germany in 1930 or Donald Trump to a Fascist?
Does history rhyme? Should we make comparison between Germany in the 1930 and America in 2024? Are there parallels between the rise of Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump. Or are such comparison – ahistorical and ridiculous.


