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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

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: The General Strike @100 Part 2

6 May 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today it’s the second part of David’s conversation with historian Robert Saunders about the meaning of the 1926 General Strike on its hundredth anniversary. How did the strike end and was its outcome a foregone conclusion? Why did the government’s political victory turn so quickly into electoral defeat? How close did Britain come to another general strike in the miners’ disputes of the 1970s and 1980s? And what are the prospects for a general strike today?

Join us at the Cheltenham Science Festival on Wednesday 3rd June for a live recording of the podcast with David in conversation with Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, to talk about trust, democracy and knowledge in a divided world. Tickets available now https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/the-politics-of-trust-lessons-from-wikipedia

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 including PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com

Next time: Live Film Special – Misha Glenny on The Third Man

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More episodes

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: The General Strike @100

3 May 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Live Film Special: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut w/Beeban Kidron

29 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Talking … Peter Mandelson and New Labour w/Helen Thompson

26 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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