The Politics Lab
News & Politics Podcasts
Politics isn’t always black and white. Dr. Bill Muck and Dr. Phil Barker, professors of political science and longtime friends, talk through the week’s news and discuss how political science might help make sense of things. In The Politics Lab, we put politics under the microscope.
Location:
United States
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
Politics isn’t always black and white. Dr. Bill Muck and Dr. Phil Barker, professors of political science and longtime friends, talk through the week’s news and discuss how political science might help make sense of things. In The Politics Lab, we put politics under the microscope.
Twitter:
@politicslabpod
Language:
English
Website:
http://www.thepoliticslab.com/
Email:
info@thepoliticslab.com
Episodes
Confronting a Bully
12/17/2024
This week, Bill and Phil assess the hybrid war Putin is waging across Europe, review Mitch McConnell’s recent Foreign Affairs article rejecting isolationism and calling for American primacy, and close with a look at how a debate over sandwiches has divided the British government.
Duration:00:40:50
Syria
12/11/2024
This week, Bill and Phil discuss the implications of Bashar al-Assad’s fall in Syria and the troublesome logic of the Supreme Court’s arguments on trans rights, and then play “What’s More Stupid: Trump Social Media edition”.
Duration:00:45:34
EOY Speed Round!
12/4/2024
This week, its time for speed round. Bill and Phil tackle Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, the state of Trump’s cabinet nominations, the crisis in South Korea, and Trump’s offer to annex Canada.
Duration:00:38:52
2024 Turkey of the Year!
11/27/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil celebrate Thanksgiving by reviewing their top turkeys of the year,
Duration:00:44:29
Trump, Democracy, and the World
11/20/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine the state of democracy in light of Trump’s early actions, then discuss the impact that Trump’s second term might have on global politics.
Duration:00:48:18
A Regional War?
10/2/2024
Bill and Phil wrestle with the expanding war in the Middle East, break down the Vice Presidential debate, and look at Jimmy Carter’s legacy in light of his 100th birthday.
Duration:00:45:40
Three Rough Weeks for Trump
8/14/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine Donald Trump’s dramatic struggles adjusting to a new campaign opponent, assess the Supreme Court reforms proposed by Joe Biden, and debate the significance of Ukraine’s invasion of Russia.
Duration:00:44:24
Harris-Walz 2024
8/7/2024
Bill and Phil dig into the choice of Tim Walz as Harris’s VP and then check in on recent developments in global politics, including Israel’s assassination of Hamas leaders, Venezuela’s sham election, and a prisoner swap with Russia.
Duration:00:47:04
A Whole New Election
7/31/2024
Bill and Phil reflect on the dramatic developments in the 2024 presidential campaign, including Biden’s decision to withdraw, Kamala Harris breathing energy and enthusiasm into the Democratic Party, and the Trump campaign’s effort to respond to all the changes.
Duration:00:48:57
Assassination Attempt
7/15/2024
On this special emergency episode, Bill and Phil break down the implications of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life and the dismissal of the federal classified documents case.
Duration:00:46:15
Europe Votes
7/11/2024
Bill and Phil break down elections results in France and the UK, as well as the state of the Biden candidacy, then reflect on NATO calling out China for it’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and close by asking whether Mexico should stop watering down its spicy salsas for foreigners.
Duration:00:46:07
Immunity?
7/3/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the first presidential On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the Supreme Court decision on Presidential immunity and the implications of the first round of French Parliamentary elections. , its implications, and whether it is time for Biden to step aside.
Duration:00:46:06
A Disastrous Debate
6/28/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the first presidential debate, its implications, and whether it is time for Biden to step aside.
Duration:00:42:27
Trump, Religion, and Moral Accountability
6/19/2024
Bill and Phil take a deep dive into the nature and psychology of the Trump supporter; exploring the intersection of religion and politics as well as asking the hard question of whether they bear individual moral responsibility for their support.
Duration:00:40:37
Global Election Round-Up
6/12/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil ask what we learned about the state of democracy from the recent elections around the world AND why North Korea is sending balloons full of garbage into South Korea.
Duration:00:40:19
Guilty!
6/7/2024
Bill and Phil analyze Trump’s guilty verdict and ask whether it will matter in November.
Duration:00:35:19
Making Sense of the Middle East
5/22/2024
Bill and Phil break down the latest developments in the Middle East and discuss whether a legal or political solution is the best path forward AND then address the implications of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito hanging the American flag upside down in his yard in the aftermath of the January 6th attacks.
Duration:00:43:38
Bad Polls for Biden?
5/15/2024
With 6 months to the election, Bill and Phil wonder if Trump has emerged as the clear leading candidate AND whether President Biden made the right call in withholding weapons from Israel.
Duration:00:38:03
Disinformation Wars
5/8/2024
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss whether democracies can adapt to changing authoritarian propaganda AND what to take make of the first few weeks of the Donald Trump hush money trial.
Duration:00:43:28
Presidential Immunity?
5/1/2024
Bill and Phil grapple with some pressing legal questions, including what we learned from the Supreme Court’s oral arguments about Donald Trump’s claim of absolute presidential immunity AND what to make of news that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli conduct in Gaza.
Duration:00:48:22