Best Centre for the Study of Governance and Society Podcasts (2025)

1
128 - Rebuilding an Army: Morale, Leadership, Training and Mission Command in the 14th Army with Slim 32:55

3d ago32:55

32:55

How did Slim rebuild the 14th Army after it's 1,000 mile withdrawal from Burma? We look at how lessons were learnt and doctrine was developed to forge an Army capable of taking on the Japanese. We discuss the important question - what makes an Army officer a good trainer of soldiers. This interview is the second part of a 3 part series with Dr Robe…

1
127 - The General who wouldn't quit: Slim and the longest retreat 33:02

9d ago33:02

33:02

The withdrawal from Burma was almost 1,000 miles in 100 days and yet Slim, as commander of Burma Corps, maintained his optimism throughout the operation. We look at Slim's early career and background to study his optimism and resilience in the face of an overwhelmingly poor tactical situation. This interview is the first part of a 3 part series wit…

1
Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost | Zoe Hilton, Michael Wu, and Aidan Morrison 1:37:33

21d ago1:37:33

1:37:33

In "Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost," Zoe Hilton, Michael Wu, and Aidan Morrison examine the unintended consequences of Australia's rooftop solar boom. They argue that while rooftop solar has been promoted as a means to lower electricity bills and support the environment, it has inadvertently led to increased costs for non-solar customers. The paper a…

1
126 - Care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track 32:53

23d ago32:53

32:53

This episode looks at the care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track. What level of care did sick and wounded soldiers receive? Why was the medical planning still being conducted whilst the Battle of Isurava was in progress? What was the issue with medical logistics and how were casualties to be casevaced from the battlefield? We listen to the story o…

1
Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost | Zoe Hilton & Emilie Dye 30:45

1M ago30:45

30:45

Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost | Zoe Hilton & Emilie Dye In this episode, we delve into the findings of the Centre for Independent Studies' recent report, "Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost," co-authored by Zoe Hilton, Michael Wu, and Aidan Morrison. The report challenges the prevailing narrative that rooftop solar benefits all consumers, revealing that …

1
Super for Housing | Peter Tulip & Matthew Taylor 54:39

1M ago54:39

54:39

In "Super for Housing," Peter Tulip and Matthew Taylor explore allowing Australians to access their superannuation funds to purchase a home. He examines the rationale behind this idea, considering home equity and superannuation as alternative means of securing retirement. The paper analyzes potential impacts on housing demand and ownership rates, a…

1
Australian citizenship and the crisis of civic virtue | Peter Kurti 35:07

2M ago35:07

35:07

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Kurti to explore the ideas behind his latest work, Fractured Loyalties: Australian Citizenship and the Crisis of Civic Virtue. We discuss the fundamental role of tolerance in a diverse democracy, the rising threat of antisemitism in Australia, and how weakening civic virtues are impacting social cohesion. Kur…

1
The Military Decision Making and Planning Process 59:00

2M ago59:00

59:00

This episode is a cross-post from The Cove Podcast. This is a recording of MAJGEN Mick Krause, AM - the author the new ADF-I-5 doctrine - Decision Making and Planning Processes. He presented a PME session at Holdsworthy Barracks to discuss the new doctrine. ADF-I-5 Decision Making and Planning Processes replaces the Joint JMAP (Joint Military Appre…

1
Super for Housing | Peter Tulip 20:28

2M ago20:28

20:28

In this episode, we delve into the proposal of allowing homebuyers to access their superannuation funds for purchasing a home. We explore how building housing equity and accumulating superannuation serve as alternative methods for ensuring financial security in retirement. The discussion highlights that while the government aims to ensure individu…

1
Fractured Loyalties. Australian citizenship and the crisis of civic virtue | Peter Kurti 42:58

2M ago42:58

42:58

In "Fractured Loyalties: Australian Citizenship and the Crisis of Civic Virtue," Peter Kurti examines the foundational role of tolerance in secular liberal democracies, particularly in embracing religious diversity. He explores how this principle, integral to the liberal conception of citizenship, is under threat due to a concerning rise in antisem…

1
125 - Medical considerations on the Kokoda Track 36:47

2M ago36:47

36:47

What medical treatment was avaiable for the soldiers fighting on the Kokoda Track. How were ill and injured soldiers cared for and what were the difficulties in providing surgical and medical care in the austere conditions of the Jungles of Kokoda? This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast f…

1
Interest, Usury and the Common Good | Ian Harper & Peter Kurti 34:47

2M ago34:47

34:47

Interest, Usury and the Common Good by Ian Harper and Peter Kurti Read the paper here: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/interest-usury-and-the-common-good/ Listen to all our papers here: https://cisresearch.podbean.com/ Delve into the intricate history and ethical debates surrounding the practice of charging interest in "Interest, Usury, and the …

1
The Success of NZ’s Housing Policy Reforms | Stuart Donavan 20:51

3M ago20:51

20:51

In this episode, we dive into New Zealand’s groundbreaking housing policy reforms and explore how they’ve successfully tackled the housing crisis. Join us as we unpack the findings of the Centre for Independent Studies’ report, Less Crowded Houses: The Success of NZ’s Housing Policy Reforms and Implications for Australia by Stuart Donovan. What les…

1
Less Crowded Houses: NZ’s housing policy success and implications for Australia | Stuart Donovan 46:44

3M ago46:44

46:44

Less Crowded Houses. NZ’s housing policy success and implications for Australia by Stuart Donovan. Audio produced by Randall Evans. To read the paper: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/less-crowded-houses-the-success-of-nzs-housing-policy-reforms-and-implications-for-australia/ To become a member: https://www.cis.org.au/membership-2-step-1/ Introd…

1
Podcast - Knowledge and Expertise in Democratic Politics. 54:44

3M ago54:44

54:44

About the Talk In this episode of the Governance Podcast Associate Director Sam DeCanio, Dr. Jonny Benson, and Professor Jason Brennan discusses the relationship between knowledge, expertise and democracy. The conversation discusses whether democracy should be understood primarily as a system involving electoral choice, or whether democracy is a ty…

1
Podcast - False Prophets of Economics Imperialism: a discussion with Matthew Watson 1:05:16

3M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

About the Talk In this episode of The Governance Podcast, CSGS Director Mark Pennington discusses with Matthew Watson some key themes in Matthew’s new book False Prophets of Economics Imperialism. The discussion covers the tension in modern economic theory between mathematical modelling, axiomatic analysis, and their relevance to ‘real world’ empir…

1
The Argument For Debate: how school debating can improve academic outcomes and foster a stronger democracy | Deidre Clary & Fiona Mueller 50:38

3M ago50:38

50:38

The Argument For Debate: how school debating can improve academic outcomes and foster a stronger democracy. This podcast audiobook explores the pivotal role of debate in addressing Australia’s educational and civic challenges. With academic achievement in decline and public confidence waning, the nation's 2024 Senate Inquiry into civics education u…

1
Podcast - Liberal Democracy and the Challenge of Anti-Democratic Viewpoints 1:01:06

3M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

About the Talk In this episode of the Governance Podcast Mark Pennington discusses with Alasia Nuti the contribution of her new book Politicising Political Liberalism (Oxford University Press, 2024) co-authored with Gabriele Badano. The conversation covers philosophical and practical aspects of how to define when it might be justifiable to limit th…

1
124 - Leadership lessons from the Jungles of Vietnam with Gary McKay 32:05

5M ago32:05

32:05

This episode is the second of a two part interview with retired LTCOL Gary McKay, who was a Platoon Commander in Vietnam, in D Coy, 4 RAR. He fought in Op Ivanhoe at the battle of Nui Le, where he was wounded. For his awarded the Military Cross for his performance during the battle. He was later the Commanding Officer of 8/9 RAR between 1988 and 19…

1
123 - Jungle Combat in Vietnam with Gary McKay 24:42

6M ago24:42

24:42

This episode is the first of a two part interview with retired LTCOL Gary McKay, who was a Platoon Commander in Vietnam, in D Coy, 4 RAR. He fought in Op Ivanhoe at the battle of Nui Le, where he was wounded. For his awarded the Military Cross for his performance during the battle. He was later the Commanding Officer of 8/9 RAR between 1988 and 199…

1
The Rise of Activist Corporations: How activism agendas subsumed shareholder primacy | Peter Swan 48:43

7M ago48:43

48:43

The Rise of Activist Corporations: How activism agendas subsumed shareholder primacy by Peter Swan AO September 26, 2024 Australian companies have been shifting from a purely shareholder focus to a much vaguer, less accountable, and damaging stakeholder focus for many years. One important byproduct of this decline in shareholder focus has been form…

1
The Rise of Activist Corporations: How activism agendas subsumed shareholder primacy | Peter Swan 21:11

7M ago21:11

21:11

The Rise of Activist Corporations with Peter Swan - Interviewed by Emilie Dye. Australian companies have been shifting from a purely shareholder focus to a much vaguer, less accountable, and damaging stakeholder focus for many years. One important byproduct of this decline in shareholder focus has been former shareholder resources moving into ‘soci…

1
122 - Japanese Lessons Learnt for Jungle Warfare 27:04

8M ago27:04

27:04

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. This episode is Part 5 of our interview with Dr with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia. This episode looks at the introduction of th…

1
Government spending and inflation | Robert Carling 20:25

8M ago20:25

20:25

Read the paper here: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/government-spending-and-inflation/ That government expenditure in Australia has grown apace in recent years is well-known. The growth became gargantuan during the coronavirus pandemic. However, to a less dramatic extent, it was happening before the pandemic — and has continued since it ended. …

1
All Things Considered. Making Moral Sense of the Wars in Ukraine and Gaza | Nigel Biggar 56:17

8M ago56:17

56:17

All our links: https://linktr.ee/centreforindependentstudies All Things Considered. Making Moral Sense of the Wars in Ukraine and Gaza by Nigel Biggar. Read the paper here: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/all-things-considered-making-moral-sense-of-the-wars-in-ukraine-and-gaza/ The pacifist answer to the problem of #war is straightforward. Any u…

1
Government Spending and Inflation | Robert Carling 16:02

8M ago16:02

16:02

Government spending and inflation with Robert Carling - Interviewed by Emilie Dye. That government expenditure in Australia has grown apace in recent years is well-known. The growth became gargantuan during the coronavirus pandemic. However, to a less dramatic extent, it was happening before the pandemic — and has continued since it ended. Some obs…

1
121 - The Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Canungra 26:12

8M ago26:12

26:12

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. This episode is Part 4 of our interview with Dr with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia. This episode discusses the development of th…

1
120 - Preparing for Combat in the Jungle 29:05

8M ago29:05

29:05

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. This episode looks at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia. We look at how the soldiers prepa…

1
119 - Learning to learn: Jungle Warfare 32:10

9M ago32:10

32:10

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. This episode looks at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia. We discuss how the Australian Arm…

1
Podcast - The Dispersion of Power: A Critical Realist Theory of Democracy 1:02:08

9M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

About the Talk In this episode of the Governance Podcast, CSGS Director Mark Pennington speaks with Dr Samuel Bagg about his recent book - The Dispersal of Power: A Critical Realist Theory of Democracy, published by Oxford University Press. The book presents an in depth consideration of the problem of 'elite capture' and the possible strategies to …

1
118 - Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development in the Australian Army 29:43

9M ago29:43

29:43

We return to the fetid jungles of New Guinea and our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series, looking at the 53rd Battalion and it's combat performance at Isurava. This episode is the start of a series looking at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles o…

1
117 - Lessons learnt from Drone combat in Ukraine 38:59

9M ago38:59

38:59

This special episode is an interview with Sam Bendett from the Center for a New American Security and is an expert on UAS Combat between Ukraine and Russia. This interview covers the lessons learnt so far in the rapidly evolving UAS combat. We discuss how drone combat has evolved from the point of view of the Russian and Ukrainian forces, how it is…

1
116 - Air Power during the Kokoda and Milne Bay Campaigns. 34:31

9M ago34:31

34:31

How did air power influence the Kokoda Campaign? We review the employment of air power and compare it with the Milne Bay operation, where Air Power's effect was described as 'decisive' by both MAJGEN Clowes and LTGEN Rowell. The episode picks up the story with the elevation of Les Jackson to CO of No 75 Squadron after the death of his brother, John…

1
Why Australia Needs Universal Early Numeracy Screening | Kelly Norris 16:57

10M ago16:57

16:57

International data have repeatedly shown many Australian school students struggle with mathematics. Around 10% of students achieve at a level that requires additional support (NAPLAN) or are below the international benchmark Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS) — which is the equivalent of around 400,000 Australian students per y…

1
Counting the Cost: Subsidies For Renewable Energy | Michael Wu 32:26

11M ago32:26

32:26

Counting the Cost: Subsidies For Renewable Energy By Michael Wu. For all references and graphs, please download the publication at the centre for independent studies website where you can also become a member of CIS. As this paper is graph and data-heavy, it’s a good idea to have the paper open as you listen along. Download here: https://www.cis.or…

1
115 - No. 75 Squadron Leadership at Port Moresby 31:41

11M ago31:41

31:41

What was RAAF Leadership like in No. 75 Squadron at Port Moresby. We look at the career and Leadership of Squadron Leader John Jackson, a great RAAF pilot who lead from the front. We look at the tactics that he developed to fight the more agile Japanese Zeroes and what was it that caused him to ignore his own tactics on the day that he was shot dow…

1
The Impact of the Shadow Carbon Price | Michael Wu 5:43

11M ago5:43

5:43

The federal, state and territory Energy Ministers have introduced a shadow carbon price for the national electricity market. This ‘value of emissions reduction’ (VER) sets the value of carbon abatement at $66 per tonne in 2023, rising six-fold to $420 by 2050. Costs will be passed onto consumers through electricity network projects because the regu…

1
The six fundamental flaws underpinning the energy transition | Aidan Morrison 7:52

12M ago7:52

7:52

The Australian Government wants to transition our electricity system to net zero carbon emissions by relying on wind and solar power – excluding alternatives such as small nuclear reactors. Its justification for this switch rests on the claim that a renewables-dominated system is environmentally beneficial and economically superior to using fossil …

1
114 - P40Es vs Zeroes - 75 Squadron and their 44 days at Port Moresby 29:37

12M ago29:37

29:37

How did the P-40E compare against the Japanese Zero? We look at how Australia was prepared for the war in the air over Port Moresby. How well were the pilots prepared and how well was the squadron bought up to operational standard? This is Part 16 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of battalions on the …

1
113 - 75 Squadron and the Kokoda Campaign 34:26

1y ago34:26

34:26

It was 900 days from the declaration of war against Germany in 1939 to the bombing of Darwin. When Darwin was bombed, there were no RAAF fighters to defend, and it was three weeks before Darwin was had fighter coverage (and they were US fighters). We look at how the RAAF was prepared for war, prepared for war for Japan and prepared to defend Austra…

1
112 - Combined Arms on the Kokoda Track 37:59

1y ago37:59

37:59

This is Part 14 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of battalions on the Kokoda Track and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode looks at how the Australians and the Japanese generated combined arms on the Kokoda Track. Check out the show n…

1
How to Build Low-Cost Nuclear: Lessons from the world | Aidan Morrison 42:37

1y ago42:37

42:37

How to Build Low-Cost Nuclear: Lessons from the world by Aidan Morrision. First published on April 11, 2024. For all references and graphs, please download the publication at the centre for independent studies website where you can also become a member of CIS. As this paper is graph and data-heavy, it’s a good idea to have the paper open as you lis…

1
Explaining the Science of Learning | Trisha Jha 13:57

1y ago13:57

13:57

The science of learning represents an opportunity to design instruction in a way that is likely to lead to most students’ success with learning. The evidence suggests explicit instruction of a well-sequenced knowledge-focused curriculum will lead to that success. But, what is the science of learning? Let's dive in with Trisha Jha to find out. All o…

1
Reading Albert O. Hirschman with Santiago Gerchunoff 20:27

1y ago20:27

20:27

In this episode of Research at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, host Yanina Welp and guest Santiago Gerchunoff speak about Santiago’s personal encounter with the Hirchman’s contributions to social sciences and humanities. Santiago Gerchunoff teaches Political Theory at Madrid Carlos III University and specializes in the study of historical…

1
Australia's 100+ Taxes | Robert Carling 14:14

1y ago14:14

14:14

Leading economists Robert Carling and Warren Hogan discuss our true tax burden, which is higher than most people believe. They outline how it has grown, why the federal and state governments are not interested in relieving the burden on Australians — and what needs to be done to prevent us sliding into a very grim future. #auspol All our links: htt…

1
111 - Friendly Fire on the Kokoda Track 33:18

1y ago33:18

33:18

This is Part 13 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of the 53rd Battalion and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode looks at the tragic friendly fire incident that occured during the Battle of Isurava, where the 2/14th C Company attacked i…

1
Mind over matter. The philosophical arguments around AI, natural intelligence and memory | John Sweller 19:13

1y ago19:13

19:13

Mind over matter. The philosophical arguments around AI, natural intelligence and memory. In this intriguing research paper by Professor John Sweller, he deftly navigates the complex intricacies surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), natural intelligence, and memory. The entry in the research series of the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS), h…

1
Greedflation: Inflation with an Agenda | Warren Hogan 17:02

1y ago17:02

17:02

Warren Hogan is an eminent economist, and the founder of EQ Economics, a Sydney-based micro advisory firm, with a focus on providing economic and strategic advice to businesses in Australia. Warren is a regular in Australian and international media, and a columnist for The Australian Financial Review. He has also published extensively in The Conver…

1
Podcast: Liberal vs Paternalist Approaches to Economic Development Policy with Prof William Easterly 53:01

1y ago53:01

53:01

About the Talk In this episode of the Governance podcast, our Director Mark Pennington speaks to Prof. William Easterly from New York University on liberal vs paternalist approaches to economic development policy. The Guest William Easterly is Professor of Economics at New York University and Co-director of the NYU Development Research Institute, w…

1
110 - The JIPOE / IPB for the Kokoda Track 41:05

1y ago41:05

41:05

This is Part 12 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of the 53rd Battalion and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. The Kokoda Campaign for the Japanese is a manifestation of the effects of the manourvrist approach. We then discuss MAJGEN Basil Morris …

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