PickVidsBest Politics & history (other) Videos
The 32 Politics & history (other) videos here were recommended by different people across different months. Choose by who it is for: 2 introductory, 2 intermediate, 28 for a general viewer, and 0 for someone who wants the harder derivation. Most of them are an explainer. What they share is that one picture or analogy is used to supply a missing concept. Channels you will keep seeing include CGP Grey, LastWeekTonight, withDefiance.
Try to Rule Fairly and You'll Be Overthrown
CGP Grey's animated adaptation of The Dictator's Handbook, explaining how rulers stay in power by keeping a small group of key supporters happy rather than ruling fairly.
London Swallowed a City but Couldn't Digest It.
CGP Grey explains that the City of London is a tiny, separate entity with its own governance, history and privileges, distinct from the city called London.
The UK Is a Country Made of Countries
CGP Grey's quick, witty explainer on the differences between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England, and the countries that make up the UK.
America Keeps Rejecting an ID Card It Already Has
CGP Grey explains the history of the US Social Security card and number, and why they became a de facto national ID despite never being meant for it.
Most Cities Got More Democratic. This One Didn't.
CGP Grey explains the City of London's unusual governance, including the Lord Mayor, guilds, and how it differs from the rest of London.
The Voting System That's Actually Too Good for Politicians to Allow
CGP Grey explains the Single Transferable Vote, a proportional ranked-ballot system, and why politicians have little incentive to adopt it.
Debate Noam Chomsky & Michel Foucault - On human nature [Subtitled]
The full 1971 Dutch television debate between Noam Chomsky and Michel Foucault on human nature, with subtitles.
Why Louisiana Stays Poor
Together Louisiana asks why Louisiana stays poor despite its natural resources and industry, focusing on industrial tax exemptions and corporate welfare.
The Voting System That Gives You Two Votes
CGP Grey explains Mixed-Member Proportional representation, the system used in New Zealand where voters get two votes.
RSA ANIMATE: Crises of Capitalism
An RSA Animate video that illustrates a talk by geographer David Harvey on the crises of capitalism.
I'm Allowed to Rob You!
A short anarchist-leaning video by Larken Rose arguing that the Constitution and similar documents cannot legitimately grant anyone the right to take other people's property.
Every Ruler Makes the Same Mistake When They Die
CGP Grey, adapting The Dictator's Handbook, explains how rulers keep power and why succession causes trouble when they die.
A Third of America Belongs to America
CGP Grey explains what it means that a third of the United States is federally owned land.
Why lockdowns are the wrong policy: Swedish expert Prof. Johan Giesecke
UnHerd interview with Swedish epidemiologist Johan Giesecke, who explains why he thinks lockdowns are the wrong policy and describes Sweden's approach during the spring 2020 pandemic.
Is the EU Democratic? Does Your Vote Matter?
Kurzgesagt explains how the European Union is governed, how its officials are elected or appointed, and whether a citizen's vote actually matters.
The UK Election Results Were the Worst in History
CGP Grey explains how the 2015 UK general election showed the flaws of first-past-the-post voting, with parties like UKIP winning many votes but few seats.
Stadiums: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
John Oliver's Last Week Tonight segment on cities spending public money on privately owned sports stadiums, including how tax-exempt municipal bonds subsidize them.
LESSON 1: Do Not Obey In Advance
The first lesson from Timothy Snyder's short video series accompanying On Tyranny, arguing that most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given when people comply in advance.
The Problem With Human Rights
A philosophy video critiquing the concept of human rights from a Marxist perspective, drawing on Locke, Marx, Nietzsche, Hegel and Rawls.
USPS: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
A Last Week Tonight segment on the US Postal Service's financial troubles.
Liquid Democracy In Simple Terms
A five-minute animated explainer of liquid democracy, in which voters can delegate their vote to trusted people.
World-famous liberal commentator Bill Maher calls out Trudeau.
A one-minute clip posted by Canadian politician Pierre Poilievre featuring Bill Maher criticizing Justin Trudeau's remarks about unvaccinated people.
The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained
CGP Grey breaks down what the British Royal Family costs the UK versus what it brings in, including income from royal-owned land.
Politics and Language | Noam Chomsky | Talks at Google
Noam Chomsky gives a Talks at Google lecture covering his work on politics and language.