The Econoclasts

Latest Episodes:

These Times - What would Thatcher do? Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

An interview with Charles Powell, Mrs Thatcher’s long time foreign policy adviser, covering everything from the war in Ukraine, the risks of humiliating Putin, chaos in Russia and the future of Britain in Europe.

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These Times - The Politics of Inflation Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

With inflation remaining stubbornly high and interest rates at their highest in 15 years, this week’s episode looks at the causes and political repercussions of today’s crisis as well as the parallels with previous governments — from Harold Wilson to Ted Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Britain's Place in the New World Order - Part 2 Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Tom and Helen discuss Britain's changing role overseas in the second instalment of our series on 'The New World Order'. They discuss Boris Johnson's AUKUS deal, David Cameron's involvement in the middle east and where Brexit has left Britain on the international stage.

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These Times - A New World Order? - Part 1 Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

This week Tom and Helen debate whether America's global supremacy is coming to an end, replaced by a new multipolar world — and, if so, what that means for the world. From Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 to the great financial crisis, from Obama's "pivot to Asia" to the presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Tom and Helen explore this new age.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Is Boris Johnson History? Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Tom and Helen discuss the tumultuous history of Boris Johnson and ask whether the ups and downs of his political career owe more to his unique character (warts and all) or the much deeper forces at play far beyond his control. The answer to this question will go a long way to determining his future in British politics.

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These Times - How "Made in China 2025" Changed the World Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

In 2015, Xi Jinping unveiled his central policy objective: to transform China into the world’s most powerful advanced economy which would no longer be dependent on Western technology. In the eight years that have passed since, the world has transformed — from the election of Donald Trump in 2016 to Joe Biden’s protectionist “inflation reduction act” last year and the European Union’s panicked response in between. In this episode, Tom and Helen trace the origins of the Sino-American stand-off and map out the implications for the rest of the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - The History of Immigration May 29, 2023

Show notes

Official figures released last week showed net migration into the UK had topped 600,000, a new record. But the politics of migration has a long history — from the Napoleonic wars, to Windrush, Enoch Powell and Brexit. In this week’s episode, Tom and Helen discuss this history and what it tells us about Britain today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - When Labour Wins May 22, 2023

Show notes

With Keir Starmer seemingly on course for victory at the next election, Tom and Helen look back at the only other Labour leaders to have won a majority: Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair. What was it about these three leaders (and the age in which they served) which allowed them to triumph — and what does that tell us about Labour’s chances today?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - National Conservatism: New or Old? May 15, 2023

Show notes

With the Tories struggling in the polls and the first “National Conservative” convention meeting in the UK this week, Tom and Helen take a look at the history of the Conservative Party and what it really means to be a conservative today. Tom and Helen debate who founded the Conservative Party, what it seeks to conserve and where its future lies. Take a deep dive into a party and an idea which has shaped Britain and much of the world beyond.

Twitter: @tommctague @HelenHet20 @TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Each week Tom and Helen explore the great forces and ideas that led us to where we are right now. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Axis of Evil: An Interview with David Frum May 10, 2023

Show notes

In this one-off special, Tom McTague interviews the conservative commentator, activist and former White House speechwriter David Frum — the man who coined George Bush’s famous “axis of evil.” Helen was away when David was in London. In the interview Tom and David discuss the war in Ukraine and lessons from Iraq, George Bush’s haunted retirement and the need for more “tragic thinking” when confronting the world’s problems.

Twitter: @tommctague @HelenHet20 @TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.