Past Present Future

Mary Queen of Scots, a powerless queen, maintains her hold over the imperious Elizabeth I of England. Explore the impossible decisions faced by these two queens in a male-dominated world. Learn about the intricate dynamics of trust and betrayal, the paradoxical story of Mary Stuart's convictions, and the challenges of unifying under a single monarch. Discover the contrasting lives and paths of Elizabeth and Mary as they navigate power and relationships. Delve into the complex web of themes and characters in Mary Stuart, including a unique production where the roles of Elizabeth and Mary were decided by a coin toss.

Exploring the dual nature of Gulliver's Travels as both an adventure story and a satire of 18th-century politics. Delving into various societies encountered by Gulliver, including communal childhood and incentivized good behavior. Examining themes of bravery, absurdity, and the dangers of fixating on details. Discussing the portrayal of reasoning yahoos in the story and the potential of artificial intelligence in shaping the future.

In this episode, the host explores the political themes and interpretations of Shakespeare's play 'Coriolanus', discussing the conflict between the elite patricians and the plebs, the complexity of the main character, and the contradiction of authenticity. The episode also touches upon the concepts of manipulation and losing touch with one's essence, and announces upcoming podcast episodes on American presidential elections, bad ideas, and freedom.

This week David talks to Richard Whatmore and Lea Ypi about what caused the loss of faith in the idea of Enlightenment at the end of the eighteenth century and the parallels with our loss of faith today. Why did hopes for a better, more rational world start to seem like wishful thinking? How was Britain implicated in the demise of Enlightenment ideals? And what might have happened if there had been no French Revolution?Richard Whatmore’s The End of Enlightenment is available now  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast, Rory Stewart discusses what it means to be a Tory in the twenty-first century. He explores the history of political ideas and how they have shaped contemporary British democracy. The speakers also delve into topics such as the differences between the Tory and Labour parties, the role of institutions in safeguarding society, the benefits of decentralization and local empowerment, and the oddness of the political party system. They conclude with a discussion on the upcoming election and the hope for new ideas in AI and healthcare.

David talks to political scientist Mike Kenny about the unusual political arrangement of the UK. They discuss how it has held together through war, economic decline, Brexit, and Covid. They explore the motivations behind the Anglo-Scottish Union, the impact of referendums on UK unity, the role of COVID-19, the scenarios of the UK general election, the future of the UK compared to the US, and the likelihood of a constitutional crisis in Northern Ireland.

Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the case for reparations in his essay, focusing on the systemic financial exploitation of black Americans. The podcast discusses racial politics in a courtroom, the exploitation of a black church, white flight and economic factors of racial segregation, and the argument for reparations. It also highlights the connection between a movie and Coates's essay, and the concept of resistance against exploitation.

Discover Umberto Eco's analysis of Wikileaks and the concept of scandal. Explore the challenges of maintaining secrecy in the digital age and the power of shaping information. Learn about the relationship between Julian Assange and Andrew O'Hagan and the significance of Wikileaks in exposing hidden information.

In this episode, American writer David Foster Wallace discusses his experiences following John McCain's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. The podcast explores McCain's distinctive political style and its implications for American democracy. It also highlights the role of technology in Donald Trump's successful 2016 campaign and delves into Wallace's contrasting views on McCain and Trump's authenticity. The episode concludes by discussing the parallels between Trump's rise to power and the narrative described by Wallace, including themes of populism, technological shifts, and media coverage.

American essayist and novelist, Joan Didion, discusses her haunting and impressionistic writing style in her essay 'The White Album'. She explores the fracturing of America in the late 1960s, touching on topics such as Jim Morrison, the Manson murders, and the search for meaning in senseless acts of violence. Didion's ability to capture the divide between conventional and counterculture is highlighted, as well as her own struggle for coherence while maintaining a domestic life. The desire for ignorance in the face of significant events is contrasted with the ongoing crises of the world. Didion's journey with multiple sclerosis and her use of writing as an outlet to make sense of her experiences are also discussed.