People, Power, Politics

episodes

The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping - and re-shaping - our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world!

October 10, 2024

How have Bureaucratic Politics Undermined Pakistan’s Prospects for Democracy?

Sameen Ali

Hosted by Petra Alderman

For many years, explanations of Pakistan’s politics and its failed democratic transition have focused on the role of the military and politicians. But…

September 19, 2024

Why Almost Everything You Think about Protests in Africa is Wrong

Zoe Marks

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

For decades, media and academic analysis of African politics has emphasised instability, political violence, and male dominance. Yet a brilliant new a…

August 30, 2024

What is Going on with Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe?

Milada Vachudova and Tim Haughton

Hosted by Licia Cianetti

After being the posterchild of democratization, today Central and Eastern Europe is often seen as the region of democratic backsliding. In this episod…

August 16, 2024

Democracy Promotion, Progressive Realism and the Labour Government’s Policy Towards Asia

Ben Bland

Hosted by Petra Alderman

Does the Labour Party’s 2024 election victory spell the end of the United Kingdom’s foreign policy interest in Asia? And how will its ‘progressive rea…

July 31, 2024

Will Urban Youth Fundamentally Change African Politics?

Amy S. Patterson, Tracy Kuperus, and Megan Hershey

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Will Africa’s increasingly youthful population lead to new democratic and development breakthroughs? Or will it generate fresh instability as frustrat…

June 27, 2024

The Democratic Regression

Armin Schäfer and Michael Zürn

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Why are so many democracies experiencing the rise of authoritarian populism? And what can we do to address this? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Arm…

June 13, 2024

Branding Foreign Aid: Soft Power and Popular Attitudes in International Development

Matthew Winters

Hosted by Petra Alderman

Why do international donors brand foreign aid? And what impact does it have on popular attitudes towards them? Join Matthew Winters and Petra Alderman…

May 31, 2024

All About Money? Elections, Campaign Spending and the Effects on Democracy

William Horncastle

Hosted by Petra Alderman

Election campaigns are becoming ever more expensive, with many parties and candidates spending large sums of money on advertising, campaign materials,…

May 16, 2024

The Politics of Development

Claire Mcloughlin and David Hudson

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Development is political but what does that mean for how we solve some of the biggest challenges facing the world today? A pathbreaking new book, The …

April 24, 2024

Social media’s business model is changing democracy, and not for the better

Charlotte Galpin and Verena K. Brändle

Hosted by Licia Cianetti

Democracies in Europe and the world over are grappling with the challenges posed by social media. In this episode, Charlotte Galpin and Verena Brändle…

March 27, 2024

Party People: Candidates and Party Evolution

Allan Sikk and Philipp Köker

Hosted by Tim Haughton

Contemporary politics is characterized by the rise (and fall) of many new parties. But what tools do political scientists have to map and measure elec…

March 13, 2024

Authoritarian Practices Go Well Beyond Authoritarian Regimes

Marlies Glasius

Hosted by Licia Cianetti

Authoritarianism is not something that happens only within the borders of authoritarian regimes. In this episode, Marlies Glasius talks with host Lici…

February 28, 2024

Airports, Buses, Internet Cables, and the Local and National Politics in the Philippines

John Sidel

Hosted by Petra Alderman

What can airports, busses, and submarine internet cables tell us about the local and national politics in the Philippines? And how do they position th…

February 14, 2024

How to Stage a Coup and Ten Other Lessons from the World of Secret Statecraft

Rory Cormac

Hosted by Petra Alderman

Why do states engage in secret statecraft and covert action? How different are these secret and covert state activities in real world settings compare…

January 31, 2024

Why are there more women in parliament than ever before, and does it matter?

Aili Mari Tripp

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Why do some countries do better than others in advancing women as political leaders and in promoting women’s rights? And what difference does this mak…

January 17, 2024

Democracy, Great Powers, and the Russia-Ukraine War

Stefan Wolff

Hosted by Petra Alderman

How helpful is the democracy-authoritarianism binary when it comes to our understanding of contemporary conflict? What is the state of the Russia-Ukra…

December 13, 2023

Have We Entered a New Era of African Politics and International Relations?

Mwita Chacha and Obert Hodzi

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Is the recent resurgence of military coups reshaping politics in sub-Saharan Africa? Is faith in multiparty elections waning among citizens? And how d…

November 17, 2023

Political Polarisation: Have We Got It Wrong?

Andreas Schedler

Hosted by Petra Alderman

What is political polarisation? How different is it from ‘normal’ democratic conflict? And why have we been getting it wrong? Listen to Andreas Schedl…

October 11, 2023

Making Sense of the 2023 Spanish Election

Patricia Correa

Hosted by Manoel Gehrke

Listen:

What were the key factors shaping the 2023 Spanish general election? How did the progressive government of Pedro Sánchez defy expectations and secur…

September 15, 2023

Coups and the Threat of “Feel Good” Militarism in Africa

Rita Abrahamsen

Hosted by Nic Cheeseman

Listen:

Why are we seeing a rise in coups in Africa and growing debate about the possible benefits of military rule? What are the roots of “feel good” militar…