Applied Political Philosophy

Jack Miller

Frustration with American politics at all levels is widespread and seems to be growing, but what political reforms, if any, would fix the institutions and process of the U.S. system of government to the satisfaction of the American public? What reforms, whether popular or not, might improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of American democracy? The Applied Political Philosophy podcast confronts these questions by exploring ideas for political reform, the thorny challenges of intractable-seeming political realities, and the realm of political possibilities. It’s a show about opportunities for change and improvement and the obstacles to achieving them.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    Applied Political Philosophy

    Our series on Applied Political Philosophy begins philosophically, discussing the theoretical roots of reform proposals and looking at how political reform movements begin.

    14 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Changing the System From Within the System

    In this episode, Dr. Miller defines political reform and examines the four different avenues that political reformers can make use of to bring about change.

    21 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Amending a Constitution

    This episode examines the most permanent yet difficult avenue of political reform, constitutional amendment.

    22 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Reform Through the Judiciary

    In this episode, we consider the judiciary as an avenue of political reform.

    30 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    The Laws and the Courts

    This episode compares the statutory and judicial avenues of reform and looks at why the courts seem to be doing more political reform than legislatures.

    28 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Oregon System

    This episode explores issues related to direct democracy

    48 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Gerry's Salamander

    In this episode, we explore the issue of gerrymandering and hear from a dedicated political reformer about what a life in politics is like for her.

    52 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Presidential Matters

    In this episode, we turn our attention to a position that already gets a ton of attention – the presidency. We consider the length of the presidential campaign, learn about a proposal to alter the Oregon presidential primary, and hear a proposal for a new presidential power, the presidential referendum.

    55 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Bringing PR to America

    This episodes considers an electoral system largely unfamiliar to Americans, proportional representation (PR).

    24 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    The Ballot or the Bullet?

    In this final episode of Season 1, we consider the differences between reform and revolution as ways of bringing about political change.

    27 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Frustration with American politics at all levels is widespread and seems to be growing, but what political reforms, if any, would fix the institutions and process of the U.S. system of government to the satisfaction of the American public? What reforms, whether popular or not, might improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of American democracy? The Applied Political Philosophy podcast confronts these questions by exploring ideas for political reform, the thorny challenges of intractable-seeming political realities, and the realm of political possibilities. It’s a show about opportunities for change and improvement and the obstacles to achieving them.

Information