Episodes

  • Nonpartisan Politics

    Nonpartisan Politics
    Jan 7 2025
    In this episode of 'The Leftish Agenda,' Eddie covered the topic of nonpartisan municipal politics. He discussed how nonpartisan elections vary from the highly politicized ones, focusing on their structure where candidates are assessed for their individual merits instead of party labels. The discussion outlined how such elections highlight local issues and engage voters differently, shifting the focus from party loyalty to individual candidates' performance. Eddie also considered the challenges following nonpartisan municipal politics—confusion for voters, presence of informal partisanship, and disparity in resources. After providing real-world examples, Eddie talked about the impact nonpartisan municipal politics can have on governance, fostering collaboration and long-term planning, and making thoughtful decisions prioritizing the community's needs over short-term political victories.
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    18 mins
  • Anocracy: Democracy Becomes Authoritarianism

    Anocracy: Democracy Becomes Authoritarianism
    Jan 7 2025
    The Leftish Agenda, hosted by Eddie, is a podcast that discusses the concept of anocracy, a political system that combines elements of democracy and autocracy. In this in-depth examination of the anocracy system, Eddie initially describes its characteristics as a blending of democratic and autocratic elements, often including contested elections, restricted civil liberties, and them being typically transitional regimes. Afterward, Eddie discusses real-world examples, with countries including Post-Soviet states, Middle Eastern countries, and several African nations exhibiting anocratic traits. The implications of anocratic governance, from human rights abuses and societal instability to the potential for these systems to evolve into democracies or autocracies, are also examined. Interestingly, Eddie brings up the current state of politics in the United States and examines whether it could be displaying anocratic characteristics, considering issues such as political polarization, voter suppression, and demographic influences. The podcast concludes by emphasizing that the classification of any political system can be fluid, as each country navigates its own path, trying to strike a balance between ideals and reality.
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    14 mins
  • Fighting Without Violence

    Fighting Without Violence
    Dec 28 2024
    In this episode of "The Leftish Agenda," host Eddie explored a range of non-violent methods for seeking revolutionary change. The discussion opened with civil disobedience and public protests as primary tools for highlighting societal injustices. The conversation then moved to economic methods such as strikes and boycotts that exert financial pressure on unjust systems. Eddie highlighted examples of advocacy, lobbying, and grassroots organizing as empowering forms of activism. The impactful role of art, media, and education in raising awareness and spurring action was also discussed. The benefits of negotiation and dialogue in fostering understanding and unity among oppositions were considered. Eddie explained how legal action can challenge unjust laws and lead to significant reforms in society. Lastly, he emphasized how international solidarity can magnify local movements by generating wider support and pressure. Eddie concluded the episode by underscoring the strength of non-violent actions in fostering change that's more inclusive and sustainable.
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    33 mins
  • If They Can Do It…

    If They Can Do It…
    Dec 28 2024
    In the episode of The Leftish Agenda podcast, hosted by Eddie, an in-depth look is taken into single-payer healthcare systems across five different countries - Canada, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, and New Zealand. Each healthcare system's key successes, such as universal coverage, cost control, and preventive care, are highlighted alongside their challenges, including long wait times, funding issues, and staffing shortages. Eddie breaks down how each system's effectiveness depends on its unique sociopolitical context and emphasizes that while no system is perfect, the single-payer model indicates the potential for scalable and accessible healthcare. This episode provides valuable insight into what different nations are doing to tackle this critical issue.
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    17 mins
  • Do the Dao!

    Do the Dao!
    Dec 28 2024
    In this episode of The Leftish Agenda, host Eddie explores Daoism, breaking down its complex concepts into relatable chunks. Discussing the deeper philosophical underpinnings of Daoism, he covers the foundational Dao, principles like naturalness (Ziran) and effortless action (Wu Wei), as well as the dynamics of yin and yang. Drawing attention to the virtues of simplicity, humility, and the relativity of good and bad concepts, Eddie further delves into practices such as meditation, tai chi, and qigong that promote spiritual cultivation. Finally, he highlights the Daoist view on the interconnectedness of all beings and phenomena, asserting how understanding these principles can lead to a more harmonious existence.
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    23 mins
  • Guerrillas in Our Midst?

    Guerrillas in Our Midst?
    Dec 28 2024
    In this episode of The Leftish Agenda, Eddie delves into the gritty reality of guerrilla warfare. Throughout the episode, he covers diverse aspects of these unconventional warfare tactics from their core strategies such as ambushes and hit-and-run attacks to mobility and flexibility that make these fighters inventive. The episode interestingly highlights the importance of local's support and connection with the community for guerrilla fighters. On top of that, the political objectives behind such movements, primarily motivated to resist occlusive regimes or seek liberation, are discussed. The podcast addresses some significant historical instances of guerrilla warfare, shedding light on different worldwide cases. Eddie concludes by acknowledging the challenges and consequences associated with this warfare mode, including the risk of alienating the local population and causing prolonged conflicts, and explores the modern twist with the use of technology like IEDs, cyber warfare, and social media propaganda.
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    16 mins
  • The Dish on MISO (Military Intelligence Special Operations)

    The Dish on MISO (Military Intelligence Special Operations)
    Dec 28 2024
    In the podcast "The Leftish Agenda", host Eddie provides an informative deep-dive into the world of Military Intelligence Special Operations (MISO). The episode explores different facets of MISO, including Intelligence Gathering, Intelligence Analysis, Psychological Operations (PSYOP), Counterintelligence, and their support to Special Operations Forces. Eddie also discusses how MISO integrates with other military operations and the role of emerging technologies such as AI and drones in MISO. He then highlights the ethical and legal considerations that guide MISO operations. Ultimately, Eddie emphasizes the indispensable role of MISO in modern warfare, as it informs decision-making, anticipates enemy actions, protects sensitive information, influences public and enemy perception, and supports high-risk military missions.
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    27 mins
  • Civics vs. Patriotism

    Civics vs. Patriotism
    Dec 28 2024
    In the podcast episode of The Leftish Agenda hosted by Eddie, the focus was drawn to the critical concepts of civics and patriotism. Eddie started with an explanation of civics as the study of citizens' rights and responsibilities, the structure and function of government, principles of democracy, and how these concepts educate people to become active participants in their community. He then shifted to discussing patriotism, explaining it as an emotional attachment to one's country and how it promotes unity and belonging. However, he was careful to touch on the pitfalls of extreme patriotism, which might lead to exclusionary attitudes. Lastly, Eddie beautifully demonstrated how civics and patriotism could interlink, forming a cycle where knowledge fuels responsible patriotism and pride in one's country boosts civic engagement. Through this balanced 'critical patriotism', citizens can love their country while holding it accountable, promoting a more democratic society.
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    9 mins