Political Conversions: Switching Sides in the 21st Century

Political Conversions: Switching Sides in the 21st Century

From Past Present Future by David Runciman

April 5, 2026 · 54 min · Season 20 · Episode 278

About this episode

David Runciman discusses political conversion in the 21st century with historian David Klemperer.

In the final episode of this series David talks to political historian David Klemperer about how political conversion works today. Is this a post-ideological age or have the ideologies simply changed? Is switching sides easier or harder in the age of social media? Who or what might play the role once performed in political conversions by the Soviet Union? Are we still capable of changing our minds? Join us on Friday 17th April at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the second film in our new season: a screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut followed by a live podcast recording with David and director and campaigner Beeban Kidron. Tickets available now https://bit.ly/3O5rSEY You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Next Time: PPF Live Film Special – Metropolitan w/James Marriott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: David Runciman

Guest: David Klemperer

Topics covered

  • political conversion
  • social media
  • ideology
  • politics
  • society

Keywords

  • political conversion
  • social media
  • ideology
  • David Klemperer
  • David Runciman

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

Places: London

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