What is post-liberalism, that strange ideology which unites figures as disparate as JD Vance, Patrick Deneen, Maurice Glasman, and Adrian Vermeule? Political theorist Paul Kelly joins Ideas Matter to help make sense of post-liberalism, as well as expose some of its internal contradictions.

Paul Kelly is a political theorist at the London School of Economics, and author of several books - including his most recent publication: Against Post-Liberalism (2025) published by Polity Press.

You can follow Paul Kelly on Bluesky at @pjthinker.bsky.social

Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod

Follow the host, Louis Devine, on Bluesky @louissdevine

Reach out via email: ideasmatterpod@gmail.com

The Western world has had a catastrophic experience with difference. Colonialism, racism and imperialism are all uniquely Western phenomena, at least according to today's guest, Professor Shuchen Xiang. China, conversely, has an alternative history - one that embraces and assimilates difference. This is China's cosmopolitan tradition.

Shuchen Xiang is Mount Hua Professor of Philosophy at Xidian University, China. I interviewed her about her latest book, Chinese Cosmopolitanism: The History and Philosophy of an Idea (2023) published by Princeton University Press.

If you enjoy listening to the show, don't forget to give us a rating.

You can contact the show via email, at ideasmatterpod@gmail.com, or follow the host on Bluesky (@louissdevine) or Instagram (@ideasmatterpod).

Dr Liam Byrne is a political biographer and historian. He is author of several books, both published by Melbourne University Press: "Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin: The Making of the Modern Labor Party" and "No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia".

I recently interviewed Liam to talk about the history of trade unionism in Australia. In this far-reaching discussion, we touch on the values of unionism, how the labour movement responded to the neoliberalism of the 1980s, and some of the unique features of Australia's industrial relations framework.

Get in touch with the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod, or with the host on Bluesky @louissdevine