662 episodes
Politicology Politicology
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4.8 • 15.8K Ratings
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Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.
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An Unmitigated Disaster—The Weekly Roundup
To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
This week we discuss the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump. We also discuss the expectations game and the impact of the debate on undecided voters. Then we talk about the plausibility of a different Democratic nominee. We also get real about our frustration and embarrassment with the debate and the choice we’re facing in November.
Then, in Politicology+ we talk about the increase in political text messages, how you can now get paid to tell your friends to go vote, and what they both show about the political exhaustion we’re seeing.
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)
James Lynch (Communications Strategist)
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.
Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at (202) 455-4558
Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://x.com/lucymcaldwell
https://x.com/JamesGLynch
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[+] Everyone’s Exhausted [Members Only]
James Lynch, Lucy Caldwell and Ron Steslow discuss the increase in political text messages, how you can now get paid to tell your friends to go vote, and what they both show about the political exhaustion we’re seeing. Oh, and Democrats are running Trumpy, anti-vote by mail ads.
Related reading:
WSJ - Political Texts Are in Overdrive This Election. How to Take a Break.
WIRED - You Can Get Paid to Talk to Friends About Voting | WIRED
Pennsylvania Values Ad against Mail in Voting -
ENCORE: Democracy’s Christian Enemies — Part 2
Are there tendencies within Christian tradition that put some versions of the faith in tension with core principles of democracy?
What is “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity?”
How can a pluralistic society guard against the rise of political figures—including Donald Trump—aiming to weaponize this phenomenon?
In this two-part conversation, we dive into these provocative questions with the Rev. Prof. David Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) and discuss his book Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies.
Segments to look forward to in part 2:
(02:12) Christianity in the reactionary politics of France and Germany in the 20th century
(07:54) The allure of authoritarian leaders who promise to fix cultural issues
(13:06) The idealization of a past Christian nation and the ubiquitous use of anti-LGBT rhetoric in policial mobilization
(18:20) The difficulty of appealing to authoritarian-leaning Christians and the influence of leaders in those communities
(32:30 ) “Covenantal democracy” rooted in the Baptist tradition
(35:18) The importance of civic literacy and political ethics education among Christians to inoculate against authoritarian tendencies
(40:00) The importance of long-term cultural and interpersonal work to build stronger democratic norms.
For more of David’s work visit his website: https://www.davidpgushee.com/
Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
Email your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at (202) 455-4558.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Depends On Your Lens—The Weekly Roundup
To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
This week we discuss the recent viral videos of President Biden, deceptive editing, and spin. Then we talk about the report from Columbia University on antisemitism on its campus and the implications of GenZ’s struggle with conflict resolution. Then, we look at President Biden's executive order to give undocumented spouses of American citizens easier access to green cards and a pathway to citizenship. Finally, in Politicology+ we talk about the MAGA trend to deny that America is a democracy.
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)
Olivier Knox (Senior National Political Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report)
Segments this week:
(03:18) The Biden videos
(27:05) Columbia anti-Semitism Report
(50:10) Immigration Executive Order
[Politicology+] MAGA’s obsession with saying America is a republic and not a democracy
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.
Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at (202) 455-4558
Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://x.com/HagarChemali
https://x.com/OKnox
Related reading:
Segment 1:
CNN- Right-wing media outlets use deceptively cropped video to misleadingly claim Biden wandered off at G7 summit | CNN Politics
NY Post - Biden appears to freeze up, has to be led off stage by Obama at mega-bucks LA fundraiser
CNN - Video: White House pushes back on GOP claims Biden froze during fundraiser | CNN Politics
Segment 2:
Haaretz - Columbia Task Force Reveals Full Extent of Antisemitism on Campus Since Oct. 7, by Students and by Faculty - U.S. News - Haaretz.com
CNN - Man arrested in New York City with a gun, 8 loaded magazines, an NYPD vest and other weapons, police say
NYPost - Suspected NYC jihadist was caught near major airport as new details of averted 'disaster' are revealed
Segment 3:
NYT- Biden Gives Legal Protections to Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens - The New York Times
Newsweek - Majority of Hispanics Now Favor Mass Deportation - Newsweek
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
[+] “Don’t Say Democracy” [Members Only]
Olivier Knox, Hagar Chemali, and Ron Steslow discuss MAGA’s obsession with saying America is a republic, the erosion of democratic norms, the rise of authoritarianism globally, and the importance of citizen engagement and skepticism in protecting democratic principles.
Related reading:
CNN - WATCH: Trump supporters say America is a republic, not a democracy | CNN Politics
Briefing Room- "Where do you get your news?" -
ENCORE: Democracy’s Christian Enemies — Part 1
Are there tendencies within Christian tradition that put some versions of the faith in tension with core principles of democracy?
What is “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity?”
How can a pluralistic society guard against the rise of political figures—including Donald Trump—aiming to weaponize this phenomenon?
In this two-part conversation, Ron Steslow and Rev. Prof. David Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) discuss these provocative questions and more as they dive into David’s book, Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies.
In part 1:
(04:40) Ron shares a personal note with David about the impact he’s had on Ron’s journey
(07:24) David discussed a few of the transformative moments in his career
(13:08) The historical and current challenges Christianity poses to democratic values
(16:30) Why some Christians are skeptical of democracy and the nuanced reasons behind it
(22:02 ) Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity and why it’s a better term for what we’re seeing than Christian Nationalism
(28:38) How certain Christian groups prioritize their beliefs over democratic norms and values
(34:02) The cycle of secular revolutions followed by religious counter-revolutions
For more of David’s work visit his website: https://www.davidpgushee.com/
Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
Email your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at (202) 455-4558.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Love Love Love - but …
I love this. But regarding the recent debate, the host and guests seem to feel the ability to deliver an entertaining vaudeville act equates to the ability to run a country. We have jobs and a strong stock market - and no destructive trade wars or spats with America’s allies. And if Joe really did all this in his sleep, that makes him supernaturally potent!
Awesome Show!
Awesome Show!
One of my favorite shows!
I find this podcast to be worth my time, and I look forward to each episode. Balanced discussions, in-depth knowledge, needed in our current times. I have been enjoying the voice of Ron since the Lincoln Project days. Thank you Ron and all your regulars, especially Mike Madrid!