Best Nick de Souza Podcasts (2024)

1
Ep. 153 The US Supreme Court - an imperial institution? 28:08

5d ago28:08

28:08

Is the SCOTUS too powerful? To answer this question, this episode looks at the effectiveness of 1) the constitutional restraints, 2) self restraint and 3) public reactions. Enjoy the show, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your po…

1
Ep. 150 Has the EU achieved its aims? 19:33

1M ago19:33

19:33

Episode 150! In today's landmark show, we take a look at the EU, its aims, and whether they have been achieved. We break down its goals in three main areas: 1) Completing the single market with the promotion of the four freedoms 2) Economic and Monetary Union 3) Political Union My scorecard, for what it is worth - lots done but still so much more t…

1
Ep. 147 UK Executive powers (and limits) 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

Today we take a deep dive on the executive's powers, including 1. Initiating legislation in government's manifesto 2. Making policy on matters that arise (the Doctor's Mandate) 3. Wielding secondary legislation (SIs) 4. Proposing budgets 5. Exercising the Royal Prerogative Enjoy the show, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 pe…

1
Ep. 144 US Pressure Groups and Democracy 31:21

3M ago31:21

31:21

Do Pressure groups help or hinder democratic processes? For this pod, I'll explore the impact of US pressure groups on different forms of democracy, including representative, pluralist and liberal. Enjoy the show, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automa…

1
Ep. 141 Do smaller parties matter? 17:43

4M ago17:43

17:43

In this episode, I look at whether smaller political parties have influence in/upon the UK political system. To consider this question, we need to consider the following: 1) The representation of smaller parties in the UK Parliament and in the devolved bodies 2) The participation of smaller parties in government both centrally and regionally 3) The…

1
Transcripts ARE GO! 1:52

4M ago1:52

1:52

Hello dear listener! The number one request I have had is that transcripts be made available. Well, if you listen on Spotify, now they are! The A Level Politics Show now has transcripts of every episode! How about that! What’s great is that Spotify let’s you listen along and read the transcript at the same time as listening to it, or you could have…

1
Ep. 138 Liberalism and human nature 18:22

5M ago18:22

18:22

This episode will answer the following question: To what extent do liberals share similar views about human nature? I also introduce listeners to the idea of writing SUPER CHUNKIES! Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appea…

1
Ep. 135 Socialism and the state 18:14

6M ago18:14

18:14

Some socialists don't even want a state. Others think the state should abolish capitalism, which is at odds with third way thinkers who believe the state must embrace it. And don't get these guys started on the state's role in promoting social equality... Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you wi…

1
Ep. 132 Manifestos - do they matter? 30:16

7M ago30:16

30:16

In this episode, we consider whether manifestos affect election outcomes, and if they have an impact on the way a party governs. Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become availab…

1
Ep. 129 Which form of direct democracy is the best? 27:18

8M ago27:18

27:18

Are referendums better than e-petitions or recall elections? In this episode, I argue that they are not. Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get acce…

1
Ep. 126 Pressure Group Influence in the UK (update) 22:11

9M ago22:11

22:11

In this pod, a long-awaited update to episode 20, we evaluate the view that government attitudes are the most important determinant of pressure group success. In a word, yes. Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in yo…

1
Ep. 123 Participation crisis? Update 33:26

10M ago33:26

33:26

The world has changed since we last looked at this topic and so it is high time for an update. A wave of public sector strikes as well as protests by environmental groups should give us pause for thought when considering levels of political engagement in the UK. Are we entering a new era of campaigning advocacy and agitation? I argue that we are. E…

1
Ep. 119 Executive Versus Parliament 24:37

11M ago24:37

24:37

In this episode, we debate which branch is stronger, examining a range of tools that each one has to control the other. It all comes down to circumstances.Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as s…

1
INTRODUCING E.G.4Me 6:49

12M ago6:49

6:49

A Level Politics could easily be renamed A Level current affairs. It’s a live subject and as Politics students you need to use updated examples and explain their significance. This can be hard, especially around revision time when you have got your heads in your books, and class notes going back 18 months, visiting examples that perhaps were curren…

1
Ep. 115 UK Pressure Groups and democracy 21:16

1y ago21:16

21:16

In this episode, we use recent examples to assess the benefits of pressure groups. We focus on the functions of pressure groups, the theories of pluralism and elitism, and the all important role of lobbying. And yes, Matt Hancock makes another appearance. Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you wi…

1
PLUS PLUS PLUS 1:37

1y ago1:37

1:37

Enjoy the podcast? Then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS! In addition to the monthly free episode, you'll receive TWO additional podcasts each month. Once they are released, these bonus episodes will will appear automatically in your podcast feed (cancel anytime but clicking unsubscribe in your confirmation email). You will also gain access to t…

1
Ep. 112 Conservatives and Labour: which party is more divided? 35:18

1y ago35:18

35:18

With three prime ministers in a year and multiple policy u-turns it is hard to see past the argument that the Tories are more divided than the Labour Party. Admittedly, perhaps favourable opinion polls for Labour hide the division in that party, and things can change pretty quickly if, say, there are a bad set of election results or a scandal. Yet …

1
Ep. 109 Is Devolution Working? 18:54

1y ago18:54

18:54

In this episode, we examine in turn how devolution is working in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. This pod is an update to episodes 35 and 60, which are still useful, since they deal with slightly different questions, including whether England ought to have its own Parliament and whether devolution has improved democracy. Enjoy the po…

1
Ep. 106 Conservatism and the economy 12:40

1+ y ago12:40

12:40

In this episode, I argue that most conservatives share similar views on economic matters. However, Neo-liberals are the ideological outliers. Their advocation of rational human nature, atomistic society (does one even exist?) and on a "miniarchist" state leads these kinds of conservatives to very different conclusions about the type of economy that…

1
Ep. 102 Parliamentary Sovereignty after Brexit 21:29

1+ y ago21:29

21:29

While legal sovereignty has in part returned to the UK and to the Westminster parliament, political sovereignty still largely rests with the executive. Furthermore, there is the argument that the EU referendum was indeed the ultimate assertion of popular sovereignty, rather than parliamentary power. Meanwhile, the devolved bodies aren't going away …

1
Ep. 99 Congressional Representation and the 2022 midterms 21:34

1+ y ago21:34

21:34

Is an election truly representative when so few seats change hands and most of the existing incumbents win? How important is social diversity? Does it matter if members of Congress vote solely along party lines? We explore all of these questions and assess the impact of the 2022 midterms on Congressional representation. Enjoy the podcast, then why …

1
Ep. 96 The Conservative Party (Update) 23:28

1+ y ago23:28

23:28

Liz Truss’ mini budget blew up in smoke, forcing her to accept the most dramatic U-turn in British political history. Her tax cuts were almost all reversed and within days she announced her resignation. The New Right appeared to be in retreat. Yet her successor, Rishi Sunak, is no One Nation Conservative. A cautious Thatcherite is still a Thatcheri…

1
Ep. 93 Prime Ministerial Power - an update 39:50

1+ y ago39:50

39:50

In this episode, we examine how dominance of the political system is fleeting and that peril is the norm. If recent and past examples are what you are looking for, then look no further. Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically a…

1
Ep. 90 12 Mark Questions 16:53

1+ y ago16:53

16:53

In this episode, we look at how to answer the 12 mark questions in Paper 2 (Edexcel - US route). We focus on the use of comparative language and give tips on how to incorporate comparative theories, and showcase how we do this through extracts to model answers. Much of the content of this episode can be found in a recent Politics Review article tha…

1
Ep. 87 How to answer ideologies questions 29:43

2y ago29:43

29:43

In this episode, we look at how to structure ideologies essays using the "disagree sandwich" approach. We examine the importance of comparative and persuasive language, give tips on where to use key thinkers and how to write a "strands-led" answer. In addition, there are more suggestions for sentence starters than you can shake a stick at. Enjoy th…

1
Ep. 84 US constitution - does it still work? 37:18

2y ago37:18

37:18

In this episode, we go through the key features and principles of the US constitution and answer the following question: Evaluate the view that the key features of the US constitution no longer work and are no longer relevant. This podcast will improve your understanding of 1) Federalism 2) Limited Government 3) The Separation of Powers 4) Bipartis…

1
Ep. 81 Judicial Neutrality and Independence 25:26

2y ago25:26

25:26

When judges in the UK take decisions, are they consciously or unconsciously bias? Are judges free to make decisions free from political interference? We explore these questions and more in the latest episode of The A Level Politics Show! Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO add…

1
Ep. 73 Is Congress Broken? 35:38

2+ y ago35:38

35:38

While there is greater diversity in Congress, gerrymandering is ruining competitive elections in the House of Representatives. While presidents have been impeached and wrongdoing investigated, the rise of “Gotcha” politics prevents meaning oversight. And while Congress sometimes acts decisively, victims of gun crime and those who live in fear of de…

1
Ep. 72 The Conservative Party 25:28

2+ y ago25:28

25:28

FYI - AN UPDATE TO THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE. CHECK OUT EPISODE 96. It has been two years since we covered the Tories and a lot has happened since then. Boris Johnson has steered it towards a more One Nation approach on economic policy, but in a more New Right direction on a number of other matters. The global pandemic has also affected the party’s…

1
Ep. 70 UK Democracy - is it in deficit? 38:00

2+ y ago38:00

38:00

FYI - AN UPDATE TO THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE - CHECK OUT EPISODE 127 Welcome back to The A Level Politics Show! To kickstart this glorious new academic year, Matthew Phillips and I debate the health of UK democracy. We cover electoral practices, parliamentary representation, the protection of rights and participation, and yes, he helps me to plug m…

1
Ep. 69 Comparative: GOP/Tories 14:30

3y ago14:30

14:30

In this, the last episode of the term, we focus on the similarities and differences between the UK Conservative Party and US Republican Party. Both of these parties share similar feelings about welfare and the economy, but operate in different political cultures, allowing the GOP greater ideological purity and forcing the Tories to act more pragmat…

1
Ep. 66 US elections and democracy 41:39

3y ago41:39

41:39

From the failure of Iowa to report its caucus results, to fraudulent claims by Trump of vote rigging, the integrity of US elections is in jeopardy. This episode examines an array of areas, including primaries, the electoral college, attempts at voter suppression and gerrymandering, to help students evaluate the question: Evaluate the view that US e…

1
Ep. 65 Further constitutional reform? 24:15

3y ago24:15

24:15

In this episode, we examine whether the case for further constitutional reform has become overwhelming. We examine topics that have been covered on the podcast before and bring them under one roof to help you answer a general question on this topic. Should the constitution be codified? Is there a case for further devolution in England and ought the…

1
Ep. 64 The Republicans 18:08

3y ago18:08

18:08

How united is the GOP? While some Republicans have pushed back against Trump’s form of conservatism, there are too few to be considered a threat to his hegemony. The language of the GOP is now in lock step with that of the 45th President. The party has moved decisively to the right on social and moral issues. While there are divides on the economy,…

1
Ep. 62 Backbenchers 26:39

3y ago26:39

26:39

In this episode, we focus on what backbenchers do. What are their functions and which one is the most important? We examine the influence of backbench MPs in both hung and majority parliaments, and then end with some tips on what to look out for when defining key words in your introduction. Enjoy! Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS P…

1
Ep. 60 Devolution in England 19:15

3+ y ago19:15

19:15

Should the English be given their own parliament? Or will regional assemblies better represent the people? Of course, there is a third option - continue with the patchwork of random institutions that are created as and when the government sees fit. This “organic” and very British way of implementing devolution has been the route taken for the past …

1
Ep. 59 How America voted 35:23

3+ y ago35:23

35:23

In this special episode, we look at how different groups of Americans voted in the US election and whether any conclusions can be drawn about why Biden won. Is this the first election that was decided on the basis of gender? How important was race, especially when considering the summer of protest, the Black Lives Matter movement and the killing of…

1
Ep. 58 A brief look at the Liberal Democrats 10:26

3+ y ago10:26

10:26

With only 11 seats in parliament, it is difficult to forget that the Liberal Democrats improved its vote share at the 2019 general election, winning 3.6 million votes. Yet what of its future direction? Is it now a Modern Liberal party or will it seek to outflank to Tories on the right by calling for a smaller state? In this brief episode, we look a…

1
Ep. 54 Are political parties good for democracy? 14:52

3+ y ago14:52

14:52

In this episode, we focus on whether political parties adequately serve democracy. To do so, they must represent the public rather than their donors, they must hold government to account and provide meaningful routes for citizens to participate. I argue that political parties fall far short of performing these functions and, in doing so, do a disse…

1
Ep. 51 Comparative: Congress and Parliament 18:22

4y ago18:22

18:22

In this episode, we compare the House of Commons with the House of Representatives, and the House of Lords with the Senate. In doing so, it is important to examine the powers of each chamber, their status in relation to their sister chambers and their capacity to check the work of the executive. Finally, we send you on your merry way with a host of…

1
Ep. 50 Is Parliament representative? 14:22

4y ago14:22

14:22

To be truly representative, parliament should not only resemble the people it serves. It should gain its legitimacy from fair electoral systems. It should also contain the views and opinions from multiple parties. Finally, parliament should incentivise MPs to act with their conscience and stand up for the interests of their constituents, rather tho…

1
Ep. 49 Referendums 18:36

4y ago18:36

18:36

Regardless of one’s position on Brexit, the last four years has taught us that the use of referendums in the UK is in need of reform. While referendums can legitimate policy, they divide communities. Their impact on participation varies and, perhaps most importantly, they have huge potential to mislead and to threaten minority rights. Referendums a…

1
Ep. 47 Is the prime minister effectively a president? 20:05

4y ago20:05

20:05

Michael Foley argued that prime ministers seek to separate themselves from the forces of constraint, be it parliament, cabinet or their own party. Yet most prime ministers are seldom able to stay on their lofty perch for long. Rival power centres, inept leadership and poorly handled events will do for any prime minister and even for ones with a mod…

1
Ep. 46 Does the UK have a two party system? 14:14

4y ago14:14

14:14

While two parties dominate vote share and seat share in parliament, popularity is only one measure of a party system. Several parties have influenced policy over the last decade, most notably UKIP but also the Brexit Party and the DUP. Should we therefore judge a party system by policy influence, or who controls the executive? If the latter is the …

1
Ep. 45 The Electoral College 25:23

4y ago25:23

25:23

Defenders of the Electoral College argue that, to coin a recent Trumpian phrase, the cure might worse than the disease. Yet surely there are better alternatives than allowing the loser to win. Clinton won three million more votes than Trump in 2016, but the current arrangements barred her from becoming the first female president. Trump’s appeal to …

1
Ep. 42 How powerful is the UK Supreme Court? 26:33

4y ago26:33

26:33

I am delighted to welcome back Matthew Phillips to the show, whose phone line manages to behave up to the second segment, yet appears to self isolate for the grand finale. For the sake of debate, I take the side that the court is too powerful, but I agree with my esteemed colleague that the UK judiciary is only as powerful as Parliament lets it be.…

1
Ep. 41 Is Parliament still sovereign? 28:52

4y ago28:52

28:52

FYI - AN UPDATE TO THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE. CHECK OUT EPISODE 102. In this episode, we consider the theory of where power lies, both legally and formally, and the political reality of where decisions are actually taken. The Covid-19 outbreak has understandably seen crisis management centralised in the hands of the prime minister and the cabinet. …

1
Ep. 39 Congressional oversight 21:11

4y ago21:11

21:11

FYI - AN UPDATE TO THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE - CHECK OUT EPISODE 114The founding fathers gave many powers to Congress in a bid to overcome tyranny. Yet many of these checks are either underused or abused for political gain. Furthermore, the increase in partisanship has stymied attempts to properly investigate the executive branch, as Trump’s recent…

1
Ep. 38 Parliamentary Scrutiny 33:25

4y ago33:25

33:25

The House of Commons and House of Lords both have a range of tools with which to hold government to account, most notably the various forms of questioning that takes place on the floors of both chambers and the valuable committee work takes place off from them. Yet the House of Lords is hindered by its lack of legitimacy and the restrictions placed…

1
Ep. 37 Is the US Supreme Court a political rather than a judicial institution? 29:48

4+ y ago29:48

29:48

The appointment process for a Supreme Court justice starts with politicians and ends with politicians. The power of judicial review and the inability to overturn them, unless through the unlikelihood of a constitutional amendment, means that the nation’s top court is never far from controversy. Yet the limits it faces, not least from those filling …

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Nick De Souza Podcasts

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