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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

Politics on Trial: O. J. Simpson vs the Evidence

18 January 2026

00:00 / 01:04

For the penultimate episode in this series David examines the criminal trial of O. J. Simpson in 1995 to ask what it reveals about how power really works in America. How did the prosecution fail to grasp what was really happening in the courtroom? Did jury selection decide the outcome of the case before it had even begun? Why was the massive volume of evidence against Simpson something that worked in his favour? And how does the legacy of the Simpson trial help explain the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House?

Next time: The Trial and Execution of Saddam Hussein

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More episodes

Politics on Trial: The Gang of Four vs the New China

14 January 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Politics on Trial: Muhammad Ali vs. the Draft

11 January 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Home Rule for Ireland! - The Kite

7 January 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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