Shows
Ideas MatterWhat Post-Liberals Get Right (and Wrong) About LiberalismWhat is post-liberalism, that strange ideology which unites figures as disparate as JD Vance, Patrick Deneen, Maurice Glasman, and Adrian Vermeule? Political theorist Paul Kelly joins Ideas Matter to help make sense of post-liberalism, as well as expose some of its internal contradictions. Paul Kelly is a political theorist at the London School of Economics, and author of several books - including his most recent publication: Against Post-Liberalism (2025) published by Polity Press. You can follow Paul Kelly on Bluesky at @pjthinker.bsky.social Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpodFollow the...
2025-12-061h 04Ideas MatterChinese Cosmopolitanism | An Interview with Shuchen XiangThe Western world has had a catastrophic experience with difference. Colonialism, racism and imperialism are all uniquely Western phenomena, at least according to today's guest, Professor Shuchen Xiang. China, conversely, has an alternative history - one that embraces and assimilates difference. This is China's cosmopolitan tradition. Shuchen Xiang is Mount Hua Professor of Philosophy at Xidian University, China. I interviewed her about her latest book, Chinese Cosmopolitanism: The History and Philosophy of an Idea (2023) published by Princeton University Press. If you enjoy listening to the show, don't forget to give us a rating. ...
2025-09-281h 12
Ideas MatterA History of Trade Unionism in Australia, feat. Dr Liam ByrneDr Liam Byrne is a political biographer and historian. He is author of several books, both published by Melbourne University Press: "Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin: The Making of the Modern Labor Party" and "No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia". I recently interviewed Liam to talk about the history of trade unionism in Australia. In this far-reaching discussion, we touch on the values of unionism, how the labour movement responded to the neoliberalism of the 1980s, and some of the unique features of Australia's industrial relations framework. Get in touch...
2025-06-201h 28
Ideas MatterLiberal Socialism: Oxymoron or Overdue Ideology? Feat. Matt McManusWhat do John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, and Chantal Mouffe all have in common? They are all representatives of a distinct liberal socialist tradition, according to today's guest, Matthew McManus.
Matt is a lecturer in political science at the University of Michigan, and author of several books on political theory. Today we are discussing his most recent work, The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism.
Liberal Socialism seeks to combine the best insights of either tradition, merging strong protections for individual liberties with a more democratic and redistributive economy. So, is it an oxymoron or an...
2025-02-0257 min
Ideas MatterIncels, Masculinities and the Manosphere: A Conversation with Claudia YoungWhat are the ideologies of the Manosphere, and how are they being mainstreamed? Claudia Young, a PhD Candidate at the University of Melbourne, is researching these very questions.
In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss what it means to be 'black-pilled' versus 'red-pilled', how Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson are popularising misogynistic ideas, as well as Raewyn Connell's path-breaking book, Masculinities.
You can follow Claudia's writing on Substack or stay up to date via Bluesky
Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod
Email at...
2025-01-141h 13
Ideas MatterLiberalism as a Way of Life | An Interview with Professor Alexandre LefebvreCan becoming a better liberal really increase your wellbeing? That is the argument made by today's guest, Alexandre Lefebvre, in his latest book: Liberalism as a Way of Life (2024). Liberalism is the hegemonic morality of our times. Rather than despairing at this fact, as many on the post-liberal right do, we should double down on our ideals and strive to become better liberals. A fairer, more playful and fun world awaits us if we do.
Lefebvre is Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Sydney. Find out more about his work here.
If...
2024-10-2045 min
Ideas MatterWhat Can Chinese Academia Teach Us About Chinese Politics? An Interview with Professor Daniel A. BellKickstarting a new era of Ideas Matter, Louis interviews Canadian-born political theorist Daniel Bell about his latest book, The Dean of Shandong: Confessions of a Minor Bureaucrat at a Chinese University (2023).
Bell is currently Chair Professor of Political Theory at the University of Hong Kong. Prior to that, he served as the Dean of Shandong University's Department of Political Science and Public Administration - the first non-Chinese to ever hold such a position.
Bell's academic work focusses on Confucianism and how it can be applied to contemporary Chinese politics...
2024-09-2152 min
Un café au comptoir - interview art, culture et littératureThomas Louis, écrivain et journaliste, au bar le ProgrèsUn café au comptoir avec Thomas Louis, ecrivain et journaliste.Enregistré au bar Le Progrès , 7 rue des trois frères à Paris (18e).Mon invité du jour est insaisissable. On le pense romancier, il est podcaster. On le croit donc podcaster, il est journaliste. On convient alors qu’il est journaliste, il se révèle instagrameur. Mais qui est-il véritablement ?Si le l’on fie aux quelques indices trouvés sur les réseaux sociaux, on le devine un peu globe trotteur, prenan...
2024-03-2326 min
Ideas MatterCivilisation and its Discontents by Sigmund FreudSex. The Ego. Repression. Sublimation. The Death Drive. That's right, we're reading Freud. Specifically we are reading two essays by Freud, "Civilised Sexuality Morality and Modern Nervous Illness" (1908) and "Civilisation and its Discontents" (1930). These works provide a brief introduction to core Freudian concepts such as repression and sublimation. Join us for a critical reading of one of the twentieth century's most important thinkers. Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpodFollow co-host Louis on Bluesky @louissdevineEmail the show: ideasmatterpod@gmail.com
2023-08-2646 min
Future HistoriesS02E53 - Alex Demirovic zu sozialistischer Gouvernementalität, (Re-)produktion und Rätedemokratie (Teil 1)Von sozialistischer Gouvernementalität über Rätedemokratie bis zur Überwindung der Sphärentrennung von Produktion und Reproduktion.
Shownotes
Alex Demirović (Goethe Universität):
https://www.fb03.uni-frankfurt.de/83796178/Prof__Dr__Alex_Demirovic
Alex Demirović (Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung):
https://www.rosalux.de/stiftung/ifg/personal-fellows/alex-demirovic
Demirović, Alex. 2008. Das Wahr-Sagen Des Marxismus: Foucault Und Marx. PROKLA. Zeitschrift für Kritische Sozialwissenschaft 38 (151). Berlin, DE:179-201. [PDF verfügbar]:
https://www.prokla.de/index.php/PROKLA/article/view/469
Demirović, Alex (Hrsg.). 2018. Wirtschaftsdemokratie neu denken. Westfälische...
2023-08-201h 58
Ideas MatterThe Nicomachean Ethics by AristotleSome call him "The First Teacher", others simply refer to him as "The Philosopher" - but you probably know him as Aristotle. If all philosophy is a footnote to Plato, then Aristotle is footnote number one. Join us as we discuss the most influential work of moral philosophy in the whole world, The Nicomachean Ethics.
The mentioned essay by Quentin Skinner is called "Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas".
Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod or reach out via email at ideasmatterpod@gmail.com
2023-08-0749 min
Ideas MatterThe Dao De Jing by Lao TzuIdeas Matter discusses its first non-Western text: the Dao De Jing by Lao Tzu. Daoism is one of the three major religions/philosophies in China, alongside Confucianism and Buddhism. Unlike most other cultures however, these religions are not mutually exclusive. Confucianism is deeply informed by Daoist cosmology, which was in turn informed by the introduction of Buddhism into China from India. The result is a fascinatingly rich and complicated philosophical school of thought with huge contemporary resonance. In this episode we primarily discuss the ideas of 'the Way' (Dao 道) and 'effortless action' (Wu Wei 无为).
Please...
2023-05-2846 minIdeas MatterHerodotus, Postmodernism and the Philosophy of History, featuring Dan CrowleyAlex makes his long-awaited return to the Ideas Matter studio, just in time for a special guest appearance by Dan Crowley. Dan is a man of many talents, a true renaissance man. Most relevant for our purposes is his day job as a scholar of Ancient Greece, particularly of the historian Herodotus. We interview Dan about his research which seeks to reinvigorate Herodotus' approach to historical story-telling by drawing on postmodern theories of history.
We both really enjoyed recording this episode and have no doubt that you will love listening to Dan. Please subscribe...
2023-04-2156 min
Ideas Matter'What is Political Philosophy?' by Leo Strauss"All political action has then in itself a directedness towards knowledge of the good: of the good life, or of the good society", writes Leo Strauss in his well-known essay 'What is Political Philosophy?', published in 1957. For Strauss, political philosophy is essentially normative. We do not understand political things unless we take them as phenomena which cry out to be evaluated as good or bad, just or unjust.
Today's episode is a brief recapitulation of Strauss' essay, which includes his thoughts on the nature of political philosophy and the difference between classical and modern approaches to...
2023-03-1429 min
Ideas MatterWhat is Political Realism? Philosophy and Real Politics by Raymond GeussWhat does it mean to be realistic about politics? Why does Raymond Geuss, a Cambridge political theorist, describe himself as a "neo-Leninist"?
In this episode, Louis gives a run-down of Geuss' hugely influential text Philosophy and Real Politics (2008), which revives the longstanding tradition of political realism in Western philosophy. Political realism is a way of studying politics which treats the political realm as distinct or seperate from the realm of ethics or morality. In this sense, realists treat political philosophy as distinct from moral philosophy. Notable realists throughout history include Aristotle, Augustine, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and L...
2023-03-0631 min
Ideas MatterA Theory of Justice by John RawlsIn this video Louis gives a run through of John Rawls' seminal text "A Theory of Justice" published in 1971.
A Theory of Justice is a must-read for anyone interested in Anglo-American political theory. It spawned the liberal-communitarian debate which dominated the academy for twenty years and produced some of the most well-known names in political philosophy: Michael Sandel, Alasdair Macintyre, Charles Taylor and Michael Walzer.
You've probably heard of the "veil of ignorance" and the "original position" - but just what are these conceptual devices and how do they serve Rawls' argument? Does Rawls succeed in...
2023-02-2830 min
La Feuille de MatchFDM Toulouse Foot Épisode 189 - Retour sur PSG-TFC - Présentation de TFC-Stade Rennais FC avec Louis, supporter rennais💜 Le replay de l'émission FDM Toulouse Foot de ce mardi 7 février sur Radio Occitania et en direct vidéo sur Facebook & Twitch🔥
🎙 L'actualité du Toulouse Football Club c'est chaque semaine avec Association de Défense des Intérêts des Supporters Toulousains - ADIST, les chroniqueurs de la FDM et les supporters du TFC.
Autour de la table pour ce numéro :
🎙️Alex, Auxence, Camille, Fred et Vincent pour la FDM
🔴⚫ Louis, supporter du Stade Rennais
Au programme pour ce numéro :
▶️ 3' : Les actus du TFC : l'article de So Foot sur Dejaegere, les ré...
2023-02-081h 30
Ideas MatterThe Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche (Part Two)In part two of our episode on Nietzsche’s Birth of Tragedy we discuss the importance of myth, Nietzsche’s critique of “theoretical man” and why he sees Socrates as the birth of science, as well as the travesty of modern art. Nietzsche’s critique of egalitarianism is forceful enough to give Louis pause over his Marxist ethical commitments. Can we really have a society in which everyone is a creative producer or are some people naturally superior to others? Join us for this final instalment on Nietzsche’s inaugural text. Please remember to rate, like and share the po...
2023-01-2549 min
Ideas MatterThe Birth of Tragedy (Part One) by Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche has exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy. Thinkers diverse as Martin Heidegger, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Michel Foucault all count Nietzsche as one of their inspirations. Nietzsche is also one of the most popular philosophers among the general public and is sometimes regarded as the “non-philosopher’s philosopher”. In our second episode covering this enigmatic thinker, we take a look at Nietzsche’s very first publication: The Birth of Tragedy (1872). In brief, Nietzsche argues that art is the only consolation for the horror and absurdity of existence. Existence, he writes, is only justified as an aestheti...
2023-01-2346 min
Ideas MatterA Pragmatic Theory of Truth: William James' Lectures on PragmatismWilliam James was an American philosopher and psychologist, most known for expounding the philosophy of pragmatism. In episode sixteen of Ideas Matter, Louis and Alex read a series of lectures James gave in 1906 entitled “Pragmatism: A New Name For Some Old Ways of Thinking”. We discuss James’ theory of truth, the pragmatic method, pragmatism’s influence on educational philosophy, and offer our own criticisms and comments on the pragmatic project. Please rate and share the episode so that more people can learn about ideas that matter. Feel free to reach out on Instagram @ideasmatterpod This is a public...
2023-01-141h 27
Ideas MatterA Philosophical Discussion on Love: Reading Plato's SymposiumPlato’s ‘Symposium’ is a Socratic dialogue about love. Situated in the home of the famous Athenian poet Agathon, Symposium presents a series of speeches by prominent Athenians who expound on the nature of love. We encounter a range of ideas familiar to the modern mind: love creates happiness, encourages us to lead good lives, creates harmony and justice, and is the longing for unity with our better half. All of these views, however, fail to capture the true essence of love. Love’s essence can only be understood by contemplating love itself, love in general...
2022-12-241h 19
Ideas MatterConfessions by Saint AugustineIdeas Matter takes a trip back to the fourth century AD to read St Augustine of Hippo, a famed Christian theologian from Thagaste, North Africa. Augustine’s writings have proved tremendously influential not only within Christian theology, but in philosophy and political theory more broadly. His teachings on the nature of human sin - that we sin because it is fun - have informed political realism in domestic and international relations theory. Augustine shows how deeply Christianity was influenced by Neoplatonic readings of the bible, furthering cementing the claim that all philosophy is a footnote to Plato. Ev...
2022-11-191h 34
Ideas MatterThe Social Contract by Jean-Jacques RousseauAs per listener request, today we delve into Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ‘The Social Contract’. Published in 1762, Rousseau sets himself the ambitious task of reconciling individual freedoms with the collective protection of society. Rousseau thinks we can have both. Although society has the power to corrupt humanity, it also has the power to refine and enlightenment us, replacing our crude natural freedoms with more sophisticated civil freedoms. A society based upon the social contract is the best way to achieve this. There is much to like in Rousseau - and much to dislike. His writings represent the “best and wors...
2022-10-161h 04
Ideas MatterWhy Morality Makes Us Sick: Nietzsche on the Genealogy of MoralsWhat does it mean to be against morality? Why does Friedrich Nietzsche describe Western morality as a “slave-morality”? Episode 12 of Ideas Matter answers these questions and more, with our deep-dive into Nietzsche’s ‘On the Genealogy of Morality’. Nietzsche is one of the most popular philosophers today, especially with those who don’t normally read philosophy. His beautiful literary prose brings ideas of great insight to a wider audience than the usual humdrum style of analytic philosophy. Nietzsche knew that life involves great suffering, but he teaches how to find meaning in that suffering, by exercising our will to powe...
2022-09-271h 30
Ideas MatterDoes History Have A Purpose? Immanuel Kant's Political WritingsIn this episode we read two of Kant's most influential essays: “An Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose” and “What is Enlightenment?”.
In "Universal History", Kant suggests that history is the progressive development of humanity’s reason. In “What is Enlightenment?”, Kant argues that being enlightened is the capacity to think for oneself. History’s purpose, therefore, is the gradual enlightenment of the human race. How might we achieve this enlightened state? Well, listening, sharing, and liking the Ideas Matter podcast is a good place to start!
Follow and contact us on In...
2022-08-271h 09
Ideas MatterUnderstanding Revolutionary Marxist Theory: Reading State and Revolution by Vladimir LeninCan there ever be a peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism? According to Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks and eventual head of the Soviet Union, workers must seize the state in a violent revolution. The task does not end here. Workers must reconstruct the state into a “dictatorship of the proletariat” in order to prevent a bourgeois counter-revolution. Eventually, once the bourgeoise have been repressed and all classes have been abolished, the state will wither away. Communism will have been achieved.Lenin presents this argument as the true and original interpretation of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. In Stat...
2022-08-121h 00
Ideas MatterThe Prince by Niccolò MachiavelliNo one wants to be described as Machiavellian…or do they? On today’s episode, Louis and Alex discuss common misinterpretations of everyone’s favourite, but frequently misunderstood thinker: Niccolò Machiavelli. What is Machiavelli’s main message? (5:00) Is Machiavelli immoral? (23:02)Historical versus philosophical approaches to politics (31:32)Machiavelli and international relations theory (37:20)Machiavelli’s relevance for contemporary domestic politics (46:10) Keep up to date: ideasmatter.substack.com Follow us on instagram and twitter: @ideasmatterpodYoutube: Ideas Matter Don’t forget to share and rate us on yo...
2022-07-0654 min
Ideas MatterDoes Confucianism Offer Greater Freedom Than Liberalism?Confucianism is enjoying a state-sponsored revival in China. What does this millennia-old political philosophy have to say about one of the most vexing issues in political theory, human freedom? Today on the Ideas Matter podcast, we discuss our very own Louis Devine's recent Masters' thesis: Defending A Confucian Theory of Freedom. Learn about the major theories of freedom in Western thought, how Western and Chinese philosophies differ, and what a Confucian theory of freedom entails. As always, you can find us on Instagram @ideasmatterpod, or email us at ideasmatterpod@gmail.com
Visit the show website: i...
2022-06-1641 min
Ideas MatterKarl Marx's Critique of Capitalism, Alienated Labour, and 'Humanist Marxism'.Today we discuss Karl Marx's famous Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts. The Manuscripts were written in 1844, but not published until 1932. This is important because many academics often make a distinction between 'early Marx' and 'late Marx'. Early Marx, the Marx present in the Manuscripts, is very much a humanist thinker, concerned with individual wellbeing and human flourishing. One could be forgiven for thinking, as Erich Fromm argued, that it represented the "full realisation of individualism".The Manuscripts were a challenge to the Leninist interpretations of Marxism dominant at the time. They also forcefully challenged the lazy argument often made...
2022-02-181h 44
Ideas MatterInterview with Epoch PhilosophyIdeas Matter had the privilege to interview Epoch Philosophy, one of the best up and coming content creators in philosophy and political theory. Epoch Philosophy (Ian) has a great talent for breaking down complex topics into beautifully designed and well explained youtube videos. Ian also hosts a podcast, and is active on Instagram and Twitter. Anyone interested in learning more about philosophy and political theory should give his work the attention it deserves. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EpochPhilosophyPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DzYxPaQWsM5PIcI9N3...
2021-11-071h 23
Ideas MatterWe Are Not Individuals: A Communitarian Critique of LiberalismCOVID cases are rising, and the Melbourne lockdown continues, becoming the longest in the world. Louis and Alex might feel their commitment to the community waning, but fortunately they've read Daniel A. Bell's writing on communitarian political theory and they're here to tell you why individual rights can and should be occasionally subordinated for the greater good. We give you episode five: what is communitarianism? Sources used: Communitarianism and its Critics (1993) by Daniel A. Bell, Oxford University Press Communitarianism, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/communitarianism/
2021-10-101h 02
Ideas MatterJustice, Freedom, and Equality: The (False?) Promises of LiberalismAfter a COVID-induced hiatus, Ideas Matter is back better than ever. Today we take a break from our usual format to consider a singular philosophy in greater depth, namely, Liberalism. Liberalism is so pervasive its assumptions appear to us (Westerners) as common-sensical assumptions. Individualism, a rights-based approach to justice, and rational choice theory are so ubiquitous they've become the socio-cultural air that we breathe. But where do these ideas come from? Sources used: 'Liberal Equality' in Contemporary Political Philosophy (second edition) by William Kymlicka 'Liberal Individualism and...
2021-09-181h 06
Ideas MatterIdeology and Ideological State Apparatuses by Louis AlthusserIf workers are exploited, then why do they keep showing up to work? Louis Althusser gives us one reason: ideology.Ideology functions to maintain the status quo. Capitalism must reproduce itself in order to survive.Join us for episode three of Ideas Matter, where we read "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses" by French Marxist philosopher, Louis Althusser.Come for the philosophy, stay for the rant about our (broken) education system.Instagram and Twitter: @ideasmatterpodEmail: ideasmatterpod@gmail.com ...
2021-08-061h 05
Ideas MatterRené Descartes and the Modern Sense of SelfI think, therefore I am. Or am I? In this episode we discuss infamous French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist René Descartes' seminal text: Meditations on the First Philosophy.We begin by providing the historical context for Descartes' thought, outlining his argument about why mind and body are distinct, before concluding with the ramifications for his famous phrase cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am).As always, comments and feedback are encouraged. Instagram and Twitter: @ideasmatterpodEmail: ideasmatterpod@gmail.com This is a...
2021-07-081h 05
Ideas MatterThe Ethics of Authenticity by Charles TaylorToday we discuss the Ethics of Authenticity by Charles Taylor. Taylor is Professor Emeritus at McGill University in Canada, and one of the world's most highly regarded contemporary philosophers. We discuss Taylor's political philosophy of Communitarianism, his critique of liberal individualism and what he describes as the "malaise of modernity".For more, follow us on Instagram @ideasmatterpod or email us ideasmatterpod@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasmatter.substack.com
2021-07-0250 min
KlevaKeys Mix SessionsThe Essential House Mix Show (19th July 2014)Tracklist:
1. Beaten Soul & Dawn Tallman - It Starts with Us (Funky Soldiers & in 2 Deep Remix)
2. Joey Negro presents Akabu - Everybody Wants Something feat Alex Mills (Rhemi Remix)
3. Bah Samba, Anna Cavazos - Lost Without You (Original Mix)
4. Louie Vega & Sara Devine - Fabulous (Dance Ritual Mix)
5. Melissa B - Be Free (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Flying Colors Mix)
6. Cajmere, Gene Farris - O' Darlin (Original Mix)
7. Roy Davis Jr. Feat Terry Dexter - My Nation (Original Mix)
8. Dawn Tallman - Don't Let It Fall (Loowee R Remix)
9. Luis Radio - Uncle Frank (Original Mix)
10. Klevakeys - Work It Out
11...
2014-07-192h 00