Lands of Leviathan Podcast

Episode 28 - Trump's Iron Throne vs Kim Jong Un's Ice Dragon

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 05:07:08 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the relationship between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un with reference to season 7 of Game of Thrones. In addition to comparing some states to the houses of Westeros, we discuss what it means to acquire weapons of mass destruction and why it is not necessarily the end of the world. As always, like and subscribe!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 27: Socialism, Communism and the Needs of the Many

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 06:08:21 GMT

In this episode, we continue our discussion on political ideologies by discussing Communism and Socialism. We have a lively debate regarding what Marx would think about the current state of Marxism and have fun looking at Animal Farm and whether Dr Spock makes a good communist.

This episode was edited by Andrew Pfannkuche.

The theme for this episode is the Game of Thrones Main Title Theme by Ramin Djawadi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 26 - The MAD Cold War of Ozymandias

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:03:21 GMT

In this very special episode, we are joined by their good friend and debating competitor, Kyle Tee. They discuss the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) by analysing the craftily malignant plan of the villainous mastermind in Watchmen: Ozymandias.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 25 - Why Inequality is Our Biggest Problem

Sun, 05 Mar 2017 00:35:17 GMT

In this long-overdue episode, we discuss one of the greatest challenges that the world faces today: global economic inequality. While the world is getting richer; wealth is spread out so poorly that we decided to discuss unjust systems with the aid of Bioshock, Elysium and Gattica.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 24 - Applying Ideologies to Affected Areas

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 06:09:42 GMT

Happy New Years everyone! This episode was recorded before the end of 2016 but It is the first launch in 2017. In this episode, we discuss how the political ideologies of Conservatism and Liberalism are applied to a few issues in today's political climate. Included in the discussion are issues of climate change and immigration found in the films 'The Day after Tomorrow' and 'District 9'. Please give whatever you can to our Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=3727955

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 23 - Conservative zombies vs Liberal vampires

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 06:19:21 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the basic assumptions and history of the two primary ideologies in the world today: conservatism and liberalism. The discussion includes how the good guys in Lord of the Rings are conservative, while those in the Matrix are liberals. We await your comments and feedback...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 22 - Ideas behind Ideologies

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 07:39:05 GMT

In this episode, we discuss political ideologies as a set of ideas and how they evolved. This is a bit of a winding episode where we try to simplify what a political ideology is. This will serve as the first episode in our series about Ideologies and all that they entail.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 21 - Trump: The Inevitable Demagogue?

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 10:31:25 GMT

In this special episode, we discuss the recent crazy election of Donald Trump as President-Elect of the Unites States of America. We discuss how middle-America has been ignored and how the Left has shot itself in the foot, with all the inevitable Chancellor Palpatine referencing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 20 - Is Captain America's Civil War Greedy or Grief-ridden?

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 09:03:35 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the latest Captain America film "Civil War" and how the term differs from conflict and revolution in political science. The Greed vs Grievance model is unpacked and applied to the film to examine the causes of the rift between the Avengers. Listen to us argue over whether the Sekovia Accords should have been signed...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 19 - Why We Need to Seperate the Church and the Seven Kingdoms

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 00:44:09 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the separation of church and State through the lens of the Sixth Season of Game of Thrones. We thought that we would have much more conflict over this but we had quite a bit of agreement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 18 - Is the Clash of Civilisations Inevitable

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:50:02 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the idea of the Clash of Civilisations and the End of History. We jump around through games like Age of Empires and the movie Body of Lies to analyse whether a Clash of Civilisation is inevitable or rather elites just fighting over ideologies...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 17 - Why Boris Johnson is the Count Dooku to Nigel Farage's Palpatine

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:04:34 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the the historical Brexit Vote. Through the lenses of Star Wars and Star Trek, we look at the separatists under Count Dooku and The United Federation of Planets. We end up arguing about just how silly this was, why it happened and what may happen next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 16 - With Great Power Comes the Responsibilty to Protect

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:29:26 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the international norm: Responsibility to Protect, a fascinating idea in International law. We look at this through the lens of Spiderman and his motto: with great power come great responsibility. We end up framing human rights in the international order.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 15 - Absolute Ricktators

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:51:47 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the different types of authoritarian regimes we can find in popular culture. Using some political science tools like Oakeshott's regime continuum, the discussion classifies popular culture regimes from Star Wars to Starcraft as well as Priest and the Walking Dead. And Peter rants about Che Guevara...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 14 - A Colonial's Avatar

Mon, 23 May 2016 13:26:15 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the theme of Colonialism in James Cameron's blockbuster sci-fi flick: Avatar. The discussion includes some historical contextualising of colonialism before dissecting the dynamics of the Na'vi on Pandora and whether a T-1000 could defeat a Na'vi warrior riding an Ikran with a machine gun. Follow us on the app!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 13 - The Daybreak of the Panama Papers

Wed, 11 May 2016 08:56:14 GMT

In this episode, we discuss The Panama Papers - Political and Corporate Corruption through the the lens of the movie Daybreakers. We debate the phenomenon of corruption while trying not to provoke the aggression of Vladimir Putin and Jackie Chan. Follow us on the Acast app!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 12 - Tonight We Dine on Democracy!

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 08:41:00 GMT

In this episode, our first episode as part of the Agora Network, we discuss Democracy through the ages. From Ancient Greece to future systems of Electronic Direct Democracy. The discussion includes analogies of the 300 film and how Gladiator is a terrible representation of Roman Politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 11 - The Power-Freedom Matrix

Sat, 02 Apr 2016 10:56:08 GMT

In this episode, we discuss Freedom through the ages. From Ancient Greece to contemporary understandings. The discussion includes the great William Wallace as well as the Matrix paradox.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10 - An Economy To Live Long And Prosper w/Nishi Boppana

Sun, 06 Mar 2016 10:56:41 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the idea of the post-scarcity economy: one where all material goods are supplied infinitely. We use Star Trek to speculate about the effects this would have on the real-world economy and society. We were fortunate to have the help of economic guru Nishigandha Boppana.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9 - The Theocratic Zombie State

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 03:51:15 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the religious type of Zombies as we promised in our first episode. The discussion includes the religious types of zombies, the theocratic state, and its effectiveness during and after a Zombie Apocalypse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 8 - The Modernisation Of Mordor

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:27:34 GMT

In this episode, we discuss how Sauron plans to modernise the Orc race of Middle Earth. Was Sauron the Nelson Mandela to the Orcs? Or was he another Hitler? The discussion used a developmental theory including knowledge, politics, and culture.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7 - A Jedi Threat To International Order

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 08:24:27 GMT

In this episode, we discuss what would happen in the real world if Jedi actually existed. The discussion included the implications for order and justice in the International System, the global reaction to such powerful people, as well as if the mandate of the Council would include defence against the Sith.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 6 - A Song Of Power And Authority

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 08:25:24 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the origins of political power and authority. The discussion uses Game of Thrones to explain legitimacy in ruling and rebellion as well as who has the best right to the Iron Throne - from the Baratheons to the Targaryens. Expect extensive debate!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5 - Occam's Lightsaber

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:18:08 GMT

In this episode, we use some conspiracy theories from popular films to introduce the critical thinking tool of Occam's Razor, referred to here as the powerful Occam's Lightsaber! This is then used to filter some of the evidence and illuminate the problems found in the 9/11 conspiracy theory, which implicates the US government as the main perpetrator. We expect a lot of critique!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4 - A Yodean Perspective Of Political Fear

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 11:17:56 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the Politics of Fear and how it works within and between people and politicians. We discuss the use of fear by people in creating their own perceptions, beliefs and understanding of the political world. The discussion uses Yodean theory as a yardstick as well as some analogous horror movies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3 - Strategies Of Card Building

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:57:10 GMT

In this episode, we discuss Political Myths and how they are created through popular culture. The discussion includes Power Politics, Power Struggles, and Resource Allocation using the mediums of House of Cards, BattleStar Galactica and Age of Empires. This is one is for the sceptical realists!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2 - Political Regimes: Only a Sith Deals in Absolutes

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 08:05:44 GMT

In this episode, we discuss the Political Regime types found in the Star Wars movies and classify them according to ideal types. The discussion includes a comparison of the Eurozone and Galactic Republic, as well as who would win in a fight between Angela Merkel and Emperor Palpatine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1 - The State Of The Zombie Nation

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 07:01:20 GMT

In our first episode, we discuss the Zombie Apocalypse and its effects on real-world politics. From Western state reconstruction to Middle Eastern politics, this episode includes both fiction and academics as well as the best weapon to use against zombies. (Spoiler: It's a Lightsaber!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.