The EI Podcast

A narrative history of how Edo was reinvented as modern Tokyo. Vivid scenes from 19th century streets, pleasure quarters and popular theatre. Political upheaval, foreign pressure and nationalist prints that pushed rapid change. Urban transformation from castles and woodblock culture to railways, telegraphs and new industries.

Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford, offers a brisk tour of Hamlet’s tangled history. She traces lost sources and textual versions. She compares Hamlet to history plays and Prince Hal, probes its revenge-tragedy roots, theatrical life, censorship effects, Montaigne’s influence, and shifting views of Ophelia and Gertrude.

Rana Mitter, historian and China expert at Harvard, unpacks Xi Jinping’s personal formation and political lens. He traces Xi’s Cultural Revolution trauma, princeling background, rise through party ranks, anti‑corruption drive, Da Fuxing national ambition, Belt and Road state‑led globalism, and pragmatic yet ideological foreign policy framing.

Ioannes Chountis de Fabbri, reader and essay contributor, narrates a reflection on Nietzsche and the art of reading. He explores philology as slow, attentive reading. He contrasts disciplined, transformative readers with superficial idlers. He frames deliberate, sometimes painful reading as resistance to modern restlessness.

Explore the intriguing world of medieval espionage as spies relied on travelers for political news rather than organized systems. Discover the distinction between true spies and scouts, revealing how gossip spread within royal courts. Learn about bold infiltrators, like Encom du Beau, whose risky missions led to critical intelligence. Uncover the challenges of language barriers and the unique intelligence scene in Calais. Dive into the motives behind treason and the unreliability of tavern gossip, contrasted with valuable secrets from defectors and intercepts.

In a fascinating discussion, Charlie Laderman, a Senior Lecturer in International History, dives into the enduring significance of the Monroe Doctrine. He explores how U.S. hemispheric ambitions emerged from global power dynamics, revealing the role of figures like John Quincy Adams and the influences of British interests. From Roosevelt's assertive policies to modern interpretations, Laderman illustrates how the doctrine's symbolism continues to shape U.S. foreign relations and strategic thinking about Latin America and beyond.

Alastair Benn guests with Leo Damrosch, a biographer and literary historian known for his work on Robert Louis Stevenson. They delve into the revolutionary structure of 'Jekyll and Hyde,' discussing Stevenson's moral conflicts shaped by his Calvinist upbringing. The conversation reveals inspiration from real-life figures and Stevenson's ties to Edinburgh's culture. Damrosch also highlights Fanny Stevenson's vital role as a critic and their shared life in Samoa, emphasizing how Stevenson's illnesses sparked creativity and complex narratives.

Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, dives into the dynamic landscape of global geopolitics. She explores the US–China rivalry and the rising significance of the Western Hemisphere. Thompson highlights how energy shifts since 2005 have led to instability in a multipolar world. She discusses US strategies in Latin America, the economic interdependence that fuels tensions, and the implications of climate change as a national security crisis. Lastly, she emphasizes the need for strong leadership and systemic thinking in navigating these challenges.

In a fascinating discussion, neuroscientist Nicholas Wright, who advises on security and is the author of Warhead, delves into how the brain influences warfare and vice versa. He explains the brain as the ultimate weapon, highlighting the importance of human decision-making in conflict. Wright compares Western and Chinese military strategies and examines how surprise can turn the tide of war. He also explores the psychology behind courage in combat and the implications of AI in military settings, all while maintaining an optimistic perspective on our future.

Discover the intriguing analysis of the decline of a liberal world order. Explore how geopolitical tensions shifted Britain from free trade to protectionism. Listen as rising powers like Germany and the US challenge British dominance, leading to an era of imperial overstretch. Delve into the historical parallels with today's shifting global dynamics and how contemporary protectionism mirrors past trends. The conversation poses thought-provoking questions about the future of global order and security-driven economies.