Playing The Politics Of Morality To Set The Agenda

Playing The Politics Of Morality To Set The Agenda

Author: UCL Political Science November 13, 2025 Duration: 28:58
This week we’re looking at how political leaders can play moral politics to their own advantage. How and when can leaders mobilise concern about moral issues to bolster their power?

Ever wonder what happens when sharp academic minds turn their focus to the headlines? UCL Uncovering Politics pulls back the curtain on the forces shaping our world, straight from the heart of one of the world's leading universities. This isn't a lecture series, but a series of conversations where complex ideas about power, culture, and society are made accessible and urgent. You'll hear researchers from UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy dissect everything from voting behaviour and international conflict to the philosophy underlying our social structures, connecting rigorous scholarship directly to current events. Each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating discussion between experts who are as curious about the "why" behind political phenomena as they are knowledgeable. The podcast serves as a direct line to cutting-edge analysis, offering depth and context that goes far beyond the daily news cycle. By spotlighting the fantastic work done within the department, it provides listeners with a richer, more nuanced understanding of the mechanics behind culture, government, and the news we consume. Tune in for a thoughtful and genuinely enlightening exploration of contemporary politics, grounded in research but always engaged with the real world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

UCL Uncovering Politics
Podcast Episodes
Fiscal Transparency And The Public Purse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
This week we ask: what is fiscal transparency, what goes on in government finances, and why is transparency important for governments’ fiscal performance?
Backyard Housing And The Dynamics Of Collective Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:57
This week we’re looking at the dynamics of collective action. We ask: What shapes protest against inadequate housing in South Africa? And what lessons can we learn?
Taking Offence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
This week we ask: Is there value in taking offence? Indeed, should we cultivate a readiness to take offence in ourselves and others?
The State of US Politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
This week we explore US politics. Who’s up? Who’s down? What are the big issues? And how well is American democracy doing?
Resisting Colonialism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:50
This week we ask: what are the wider impacts and legacies of colonialism, and how can we go about resisting them?
The Impact of Banning Protests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
This week we ask: what are the effects when authoritarian governments ban protests?
How Can We Fix Our Democracy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:47
This week we ask: What is going wrong with our democracy, and how we might fix it?
Democracies and LGBTQ Rights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:36
This week we ask: Is the link between LGBTQ rights and democracy as strong as is often thought?