Nutshell Politics

In celebration of my 1000th download, here's a 2nd episode of the week! We look at a recent current event, a dangerous encounter between US and Chinese ships in the South China Sea. Further, we discuss why this region is so important and what has been happening there over the last four years.

In this concluding episode of the 3-part series on the major grand theories of International Relations, we examine Social Constructivism & the English School, as well as briefly touch on a few other small ones. We look at claims of these theories, a little history, as well as some implications of them.

A look at another grand theory of IR that claims to explain how the world is ordered and operates. This is part two of a series on several perspectives. We look at the claims of liberal institutionalism and its advocates, its history and theorists, some of its implications, one major spin-off theory in Democratic Peace, & a couple potential critiques.

A look at one of the premier theories in Political Science that purports to explain how the world is ordered and how it operates. This is part one of a series on a couple of these perspectives. We look at the claims of the theory, its history and theorists, some of its implications, and a couple potential critiques.

Learn about the time Liechtenstein went to war with 80 soldiers, and came back home with 81!

In a bit of a shorter episode than normal, we also discuss this tiny European microstate in further detail and some of the other peculiarities within it.

A look at a current event, the recent mass trial and mass sentencing of hundreds of people from the 2013 protests. We discuss a little modern history of Egyptian politics, the players in these protests, and potential ramifications for their sentencing practices.

A look back into the past of terrorism. We look back at how terrorism has evolved since ancient times and, utilizing Rapoport's concept of the Four Waves, examine the different types of "modern terror", from the Russian anarchists of the 1880s through the religious groups of today.

One of my favorite topics to discuss!

A spotlight episode on the Rohingya people group in Myanmar (Burma) and some of the persecution & discrimination they've been facing recently.

Part 2 of a 2-part series on the Syrian Civil War, focusing on the political context. Why are foreign powers interested? Who are the various sides and what do they want? What other proxy wars are happening? What are the potential ramifications?

Part 1 of a 2-part series on the Syrian Civil War. In this episode, we discuss the background of Islam and the different denominations (Sunni, Shia, and others) that make up the Middle East in order to explain some of the context behind the current conflict and the supporting alliances.