The Politics Shed (John Gibbs)

In this podcast, I discuss direct democracy, representative democracy, the delegate model, the trustee model, the mandate model, and the resemblance model of representation.

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/theories-of-representation

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

In this episode, I consider the strengths and weaknesses of the voting systems which have been used in the UK. Follow the link to the Politics Shed for more information and a variety of revision materials.

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

This podcast episode explores the concept of neoliberalism, tracing its historical origins, key figures, and economic principles. It discusses the ideological shift from Keynesianism to neoliberalism, the implications for individualism and human nature, and critiques of neoliberalism, particularly regarding inequality and market failures. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of neoliberalism in the context of rising populism and economic challenges.

• Neoliberalism has dominated political and economic thought for the last 50 years.
• Adam Smith's ideas laid the groundwork for neoliberal economic principles.
• Neoliberalism promotes individual freedom through free markets and competition.
• The state plays a crucial role in establishing market conditions.
• Trickle-down economics is a central tenet of neoliberal thought.
• Critics argue that neoliberalism has led to increased inequality.
• The shift from Keynesianism to neoliberalism marked a significant change in economic policy.
• Neoliberalism is often criticized for neglecting social justice and environmental concerns.
• The market is not always rational or efficient, as seen in various economic crises.
• The future of neoliberalism is uncertain amidst rising populism and economic challenges.

In this episode, I consider Think Tanks. What are Thinks Tanks? What do they do? How much influence do they have? Are Think Tanks good for democracy?

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

The development of Conservatism from Thomas Hobbes and Edmund Burke to today.

The origin, functions, types of party. Party systems. Party funding and the debate about their influence on democracy.

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

This podcast explores the historical context and evolution of socialism, tracing its roots from early movements to modern interpretations. It discusses the emergence of socialism as a response to liberalism, the impact of the French Revolution, and the contributions of key figures in utopian socialism. The analysis also delves into the concept of alienation and concludes with the influence of Marxism on socialist thought.

This podcast describes the impact of traditional media, new media, and media theories. 

For additional resources:

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

In this episode, I explore the social factors which influence the way people vote. This includes class, locality, ethnicity, and gender. I shall also explain what is meant by class dealignment and party dealignment. Follow the link below to the Politics Shed site for more information and resources.

In this episode, I describe the definitions, typology, tactics, and relative success of pressure groups in the UK. Do Pressure Groups enhance or detract from democracy?

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This podcast considers the importance of factors such as the campaign, the personality of party leaders, and the rational choices made by voters. The 2017 and 2019 General Elections are examined as evidence.