David Runciman · History

Past Present Future

Past Present Future is a bi-weekly History of Ideas podcast with David Runciman, host and creator of Talking Politics, exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, culture to technology. David talks to historians, novelists, scientists and many others about where the most interesting ideas come from, what they mean, and why they matter. Ideas from the past, questions about the present, shaping the future. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

Episodes

The Rise and Fall of Homo Sapiens

23 Nov 2025

54m

Trump-like Leadership in German History w/Chris Clark: Part 2 – Chancellor, Tyrant, Emperor?

19 Nov 2025

58m

Trump-like Leadership in German History w/Chris Clark: Part 1 – Kaiser Wilhelm II?

16 Nov 2025

51m

Fixing Democracy Q&A w/David Klemperer: Oligarchy, Ageing Populations and How to Make Things Worse

26 Oct 2025

1h 4m

Fixing Democracy: Confronting the Strongmen

22 Oct 2025

1h 11m

Fixing Democracy: TikTok, Disinformation and Distraction

19 Oct 2025

1h 0m

Live Special: Prime Minister Farage?

15 Oct 2025

1h 1m

Fixing Democracy: Better Rhetoric

12 Oct 2025

1h 7m

AI processed

The podcast examines the role of argument and rhetoric in democratic politics, questioning whether back-and-forth debate truly distinguishes democracies from authoritarian regimes. Political theorist Alan Finlayson argues that democratic speech should be accessible and open to anyone, shifting the audience/speaker dyna...