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Podcasts from the RSA that illuminate, inspire and provoke. Interviews and discussion programmes exploring contemporary social challenges.

  1. 11/19/2019

    Polarised: Good Economics for Hard Times

    RSA chief executive Matthew Taylor and journalist Ian Leslie are joined by this year's winner of the Nobel prize for economics (shared with Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer), Esther Duflo. Duflo is co-author of Good Economics for Hard Times: Better Answers to Our Biggest Problems and Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at MIT, where she is co-director of the Poverty Action Lab. In this wide-ranging interview she makes the case for how economics, when done right, can help us solve the thorniest social and political problems of our times. Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA.

    44 min

  2. 10/10/2019

    Polarised: Do you understand public opinion as well as you think you do?

    Matthew Taylor and Ian Leslie dissect new (and sometimes controversial) research on the divide between 'anarchists' and 'centrists'; the voters who live for drama; and the real reasons people share misleading news stories online. Plus, the similarities and differences between US and UK public opinion, as Matthew meets two of the top researchers from either side of the pond: director of the Pew Research Center, Michael Dimock; and director of the Policy Institute at King's College London, Bobby Duffy. Links Anarchy in the UK (and Everywhere Else): The Ideological Roots of PopulismA “Need for Chaos” and the Sharing of Hostile Political Rumors in Advanced DemocraciesMatthew Taylor: Populism is growing because more people than you think want chaosIan Leslie: British voters are divided into anarchists and centrists – but the anarchists are calling the shotsYouTube: King's College London event: The state of trust, facts and democracyYouTube: The RSA: Why We're Wrong About Nearly Everything with Bobby DuffyPolarised: Identity, with Francis Fukuyama (episode 11, December 2018)Matthew Taylor: In tackling polarisation and anger, understanding our opponents is vital. It’s also extremely hardProduced by James Shield. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Brought to you by the RSA.

    38 min

  3. 09/07/2019

    Polarised: The Week Politics Jumped the Shark

    The RSA's Matthew Taylor and the author of 'Born Liars' and 'Curious', Ian Leslie, look back on the week in which BBC Parliament had more plot twists than Line of Duty.

    29 min
  4. Polarised: Hope vs Fear, Live from Wilderness Festival

    08/06/2019

    Polarised: Hope vs Fear, Live from Wilderness Festival

    Matthew Taylor is joined by a live Wilderness Festival audience and John Harris from The Guardian to explore the battle between the politics of hope and the politics of fear. Hope can be a great motivating force in politics. And so can fear. In January, the teenage climate campaigner Greta Thunberg told the grown-ups at Davos: “I don’t want your hope. I want you to panic. And then I want you to act.” But on climate change and many other issues, fear can turn into fatalism. So how can we remain hopeful without losing a sense of reality? Recorded live at Wilderness Festival on Saturday 3rd August 2019. Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA.

    38 min

  5. 07/19/2019

    Polarised: The Four Deadly Sins of Modern Politics

    Ian Leslie and Matthew Taylor analyse Theresa May’s final major speech as prime minister and Donald Trump’s latest racist statements, and try to predict what might happen in the first weeks of a new PM. Everything is unlikely, but something has to happen. So we grade some previous predictions and have a go at making some new ones. Plus, a new theory: the four paths to polarisation. Twitter: Matthew Taylor Ian Leslie Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA.

    41 min

  6. 06/22/2019

    Polarised: Utopia and Reality

    Just as our reality has seemed to take a dystopian turn, there’s been a resurgence of political imagination. Utopian dreams have returned to the forefront of our politics. How achievable are these utopias, especially when they collide with the realities of power and government? And what can we learn from past attempts to make dreams into reality? Guests: James Meadway, former economic policy adviser to shadow chancellor John McDonnell Gregory Claeys, professor of the history of political thought at Royal Holloway, University of London Presented by Matthew Taylor. Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA.

    45 min

  7. 05/31/2019

    Elections, Fatalism, and Twitter Storms

    Matthew Taylor speaks to French political journalist Marie Le Conte about the European elections, French politics and being in the eye of a Twitter storm; and Paul Mason sets out the dual threats of fascism and fatalism. Share this episode Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

    44 min

  8. 05/18/2019

    Extinction Rebellion: what next?

    At long last, for a few weeks in April, climate breakdown finally seemed to be at the top of the political agenda. Extinction Rebellion shut down the streets. School children walked out of classes in protest at inaction from the grown-ups. Politicians – some of them, anyway – declared a climate emergency. Does this surge of interest mark a real shift in public opinion and political will? Can the energy behind it be harnessed? And can our politicians unite against climate change in time to stop the worst of it? This week, Matthew Taylor and Ian Leslie ask where the climate movement goes next. Share this episode Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Guests Claire Farrell, Extinction Rebellion Dr Alice Bell, 10:10 Climate Action Links Video of Extinction Rebellion meeting with Michael Gove 10:10 Climate Action Matthew Taylor discussing citizens' assemblies on the Extinction Rebellion podcast Produced by James Shield. Brought to you by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

    47 min
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About

Podcasts from the RSA that illuminate, inspire and provoke. Interviews and discussion programmes exploring contemporary social challenges.

Information

  • Creator
    The RSA
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2019
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)
  • Show Website
    RSA Radio

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