Looking back to look forward

Clodagh and Alex talk with Professors Robert Mason and Fabian Hilfrich about the 2026 mid-term elections and how they look in a broader historical context

Professor John White is back to talk to Clodagh and Alex about the past, present and future of the Republican Party. How should we think about the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections in a broader historical context and what do they tell us about the state of the union?

Professor Andrew Rudalevige once again joins Clodagh and Alex to discuss the latest developments in the ever wild world of US politics. Do we make sense of it all? that's a lot to ask, but we do our best.

Clodagh and Alex again turn to Professor Scott Lucas for insight and understanding. As the US - Iran war continues we try to place immediate events in a broader context

Clodagh and Alex talk with Steve Sarson, Professor of American Civilisation, University Jean Moulin, Lyon. This was a fascinating conversation about how to interpret the Declaration of Independence. Steve argues that the Declaration needs to be contextualised by its time and place, revealed in its opening lines, rather than just being seen as an abstract statement of principles. Only then can its relevance for today be properly understood.

Ok, the title of the pod is ambitious but Clodagh and Alex do their best to work out what recent events mean for the US, NATO and the wider relationships between the US and its allies. Providing the wisdom is Dafydd Townley, a lecturer in the University of Portsmouth's Military Education Team

Clodagh and Alex are joined by Tim Galsworthy to discuss the evolution of Civil War memory within the Republican Party. President Trump likes to remind people that the GOP was the party of Lincoln. How do we make sense of Trump's supporters embracing the confederate flag?

Clodagh and Alex dig deep with Professor Eliga Gould from the University of New Hampshire. We look at the American revolution, thinking about the nature of the conflict and how it set the framework for future development. We do mention cage fights on the White House lawn!

I this episode returning guest Professor Andrew Rudalevige talks with Clodagh and Alex about President Trump and the resilience of constitutional safeguards. There's a lot to discuss!

Clodagh and Alex talk with Professor Gary Gerstle about whether we now live in a post neo-liberal world. If so, what does that actually mean? And, as ever, what is Trump's role in all of this?