EPISODE · Jul 6, 2025 · 16 MIN
The Real Reason the US and UK Political Systems Are Breaking
from Mallen Baker: Faultlines · host Mallen Baker
So Elon Musk is launching a new political party in the US. And former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is doing something similar in the UK, albeit with a very different political bent. And you're adding those to the existing UK 'upstart' party Reform UK, which is already doing extremely well in the polls. But wait ... aren't both of these countries famously and rigidly two party systems? Aren't third parties always doomed to obscurity, by dint of the brutal logic of the electoral system? Yes, that's the conventional wisdom. But a great deal is changing in politics right now, thanks to our populist moment. And maybe this is going to turn out to be a sea change that shakes those big two party establishments to their core. Let's discuss.
What this episode covers
So Elon Musk is launching a new political party in the US. And former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is doing something similar in the UK, albeit with a very different political bent. And you're adding those to the existing UK 'upstart' party Reform UK, which is already doing extremely well in the polls. But wait ... aren't both of these countries famously and rigidly two party systems? Aren't third parties always doomed to obscurity, by dint of the brutal logic of the electoral system? Yes, that's the conventional wisdom. But a great deal is changing in politics right now, thanks to our populist moment. And maybe this is going to turn out to be a sea change that shakes those big two party establishments to their core. Let's discuss.
NOW PLAYING
The Real Reason the US and UK Political Systems Are Breaking
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 20, 2026 ·19m
Jun 19, 2026 ·43m
Jun 16, 2026 ·49m
Jun 12, 2026 ·29m