It was one of the great political ideologies of the 20th century, vying with capitalism for supremacy.
Now communism has retreated from the political mainstream having failed to create the utopia of a classless society.
Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the origins of communism as a theory and the frequently repressive attempts to govern by its princ ... Show More
Nov 24
620. The Nazis at War: Hitler Strikes West (Part 1)
What was Adolf Hitler’s next move, after occupying Czechoslovakia in March 1939, and brutally invading Poland that September? Why did the Allies fail to act, despite the Nazis shocking offensive? And, would an assassination plot from within Germany itself prove to be Hitler’s und ... Show More
1h 12m
Nov 20
619. Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (Part 4)
How was Elizabeth I finally crowned Queen of England, after long years of perilous waiting? Why was her early reign so fraught with danger? Who was William Cecil, Elizabeth’s new secretary, and the key political player of her rule? And, why was she so determined to remain the unm ... Show More
1h 9m
Mar 2024
How Marx became a communist | Revolution Festival '23
141 years ago this week, Karl Marx died. His ideas laid the scientific foundation of the revolutionary communist movement, and would transform the course of world history.Today, not only do these ideas continue to inspire millions, they also provide our sharpest theoretical weapo ... Show More
55m 50s
Mar 2024
Back in the USSR: the Soviet Sixties
Within just a few years of Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet Union had sent the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. An era of renewal and excitement beckoned. Speaking to Danny Bird, Robert Hornsby tells the story of how Soviet society embraced the 1960s – from new ... Show More
45m 50s
Jul 2023
26: Francis Fukuyama: Trump, Modi, and ‘The End of History’
What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of History’?
On today’s episode of Leading, Alastair and Rory sit down with political scienti ... Show More
58m 39s
Jan 2024
The Life and Death of Vladimir Lenin
<p>Vladimir Lenin died just over 100 years ago, on the 21st of February, 1924. The Russian revolutionary leader fought in no battles, spent much of his time in libraries and was in his 40s before he held high public office. Yet he managed to take over one of the world's largest e ... Show More
36m 46s
Feb 2024
Origins of the Civil War
<p>The war between the Union and the Confederacy is a major turning point in the history of the United States. But why did it happen?</p><br><p>From slavery and states' rights, to economic, legislative, moral, and political issues, in this episode, Don and Professor Adam Smith ex ... Show More
34m 54s