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Politics on the Couch

Politics on the Couch

Von: Larchmont Productions
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Rafael Behr examines how our minds respond to politics and how politicians mess with our minds.


In each episode an expert from the world of politics, psychology, history or philosophy joins Raf on our 'couch' to discuss what's driving our political thought and behaviour.

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

© 2025
Beziehungen Politik & Regierungen Sozialwissenschaften
  • Hypocrisy – why we hate it and why we can’t do without it
    Jan 17 2026

    Rafael Behr talks to behavioural scientist Dr Michael Hallsworth to explore how the concept of hypocrisy first emerged as part of an evolutionary status game, how calling others out can be more powerful than proclaiming our own virtue, and why we might tolerate some ‘polite’ hypocrisy at home but not in Westminster. Along the way, George Orwell, Hannah Arendt and Sigmund Freud all get a say on whether a civilisation without hypocrisy is even possible. Should we all become more discerning in the way we call out ‘hypocrisy’ – more tolerant of the inevitable gaps between our ideals and our practice, but much tougher on the ‘double standards’ hypocrisy that corrodes trust, fairness and the basic promise that citizens stand equal before the law?


    More information about Michael Hallsworth and his new book:


    https://www.michaelhallsworth.com



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

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    45 Min.
  • Can Democracy Survive Social Media?
    Dec 18 2025

    Politics feels angrier, harsher and more tribal than it used to - but how much of the blame can be laid at the door of social media?


    Rafael Behr talks to NYU Psychologist Professor Jay Van Bavel, about how our ancient group instincts collide with 'god-like' digital technology to distort what we see, reward outrage, and erode trust in democratic institutions.


    Drawing on datasets of millions of social media posts, Professor Van Bavel discusses how; a tiny minority can dominate the online political conversation; platforms can make people seem more extreme, and silence the moderate voices. He also discusses what can be done about it; from redesigning incentives and rebuilding solidarity across group lines; to the small, practical choices individuals can make to resist the pull of performative moral outrage.


    Jay Van Bavel's professional website - with links to academic papers


    https://www.jayvanbavel.com


    Inside the funhouse mirror factory: How social media distorts perceptions of norms


    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X24001313


    How to strengthen democracy


    https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2022/08/how-to-strengthen-democracy


    Heineken Advert


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3a8MdloAAM&themeRefresh=1




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

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    47 Min.
  • Changing minds about immigration
    Nov 9 2025

    Rafael Behr talks to Dr. Tessa Buchanan, a former civil servant and now an academic at Cambridge’s Political Psychology Lab, about the psychology behind changing how some voters think about outsiders or immigrants, revealing why she believes attitudes aren’t always as fixed or hostile as they may seem.


    From the media’s obsession with “small boats” to conflicting anxieties about national identity, Rafael and Tessa discuss how easy is it to move public opinion, and so public policy, on a topic that has dominated political debate in the UK, EU and US for almost a decade.


    Links to topics mentioned in the podcast


    How an authoritarianism-compatible text changes British attitudes towards EU immigration

    Study from Cambridge University Political Psychology Lab


    2019 YouGov survey looking at EU immigration


    2024 US survey pre-Presidential election


    Cambridge University Political Psychology Lab


    Podcasts mentioned


    Rafael Behr and Karen Stenner


    https://shows.acast.com/politicsonthecouch/episodes/theauthoritatianpersonalitywithkarenstenner


    Rafael Behr and Dr Lee de-Wit


    https://shows.acast.com/politicsonthecouch/episodes/theleftstroublewithconnectingwithsocialonservatives



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

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    47 Min.
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