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David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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A bi-weekly podcast exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, science to fiction.

Latest episode

Political Conversions: Going Fascist

25 March 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode is the first in a new series of conversations with political historian David Klemperer about what causes people to switch sides, ideologies and worldviews – stories of political conversion. We begin with converts from socialism to fascism, looking in particular at the notorious case of Oswald Mosley. Why did he wind up in and then give up on the Labour Party? What made him ditch democratic politics for fascist violence? How does his political journey compare to other socialists turned fascists in continental Europe? Did he ever repent?

Out now on PPF+: a bonus episode in which David explores the myth of the 1945 general election. Why does this event still exert such a grip on the political imagination of Labour politicians? What do they get wrong about how it really happened and what it really meant? To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ now https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com

Next Time on Political Conversions: Communism – The God That Failed

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More episodes

Live Special: Another American Civil War?

22 March 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Live Special: Is This How Democracy Ends? w/Lyse Doucet, Chris Clark & Thant Myint-U

18 March 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: The Twists and Turns of the Special Relationship

15 March 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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