Probably About Politics Podcast
by Probably About Politics
Your favourite monthly podcast Probably About Politics is back for a fifth season. Your hosts, Alex and Kaleigh, are two doctoral students with a podcast ready to talk about world elections and democracy!In every episode, Alex and Kaleigh zoom in on an election somewhere in the world. They've covered everything from national to local elections, referendums and even a coup and have visited every continent (except Antarctica)! So if you have questions about democracy, elections, voting and, at least one time, whale poop, check out Probably About Politics for the answers.
Episodes
-
No Ballots, Five Vetoes: Choosing the Next UN Secretary-General
In this special episode of Probably About Politics, Alex and Kaleigh explore the race to become the next UN Secretary-General, a high-stakes selection process shaped by diplomacy, confidential Security Council polls, and the veto power of the world's five most influential members. We'll also look...
-
Kazakhstan: Reform or Rebranding?
Kazakhstan is heading to the polls for the first election under a new constitution. But are these reforms creating a more democratic system, or simply reshaping an authoritarian one? This week, Alex and Kaleigh explore the constitutional changes and Tokayev's campaign of "de-Nazarbayevification,"...
-
São Tomé and Príncipe: A Constitutional Crisis at the Ballot Box
São Tomé and Príncipe is heading to the polls this month! Join Alex and Kaleigh as they visit one of Africa's smallest island nations - and one of Central Africa's most stable democracies. Together, they unpack how a constitutional showdown between the president and prime minister became the...
-
Kosovo: Too Much Democracy?
If you feel like Kosovo just had an election… you’re not wrong. This week, Alex and Kaleigh are breaking down why Kosovo is heading back to the polls (again) after parliament failed (repeatedly) to elect a president. Think: boycotts, constitutional loopholes, and a political system that might be…
more -
Cyprus at a Crossroads: Elections, Reunification, and Europe’s Frontier
Cyprus may be a small island, but this election has massive stakes. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Cyprus is navigating corruption scandals, NATO ambitions, reunification talks, and the rise of a new kind of internet-driven politics — all while holding the...
-
Hungary Votes: A Test for Electoral Autocracy
Hungary heads to the polls in an election that could bring real change. In this episode, Alex and Kaleigh break down how Hungary’s political system works, what “electoral autocracy” actually means, and why it can be so difficult for opposition parties — and voters — to shift power, even in an...
-
Denmark Votes: Consensus, Coalitions, and Global Politics
Denmark heads to the polls in an election shaped by global politics — even as voters worry about housing, taxes, and the cost of living. We break down Denmark’s consensus-driven system and the party alliances that make this race more complex than the headlines suggest. Plus: Kaleigh breaks down...
-
Nepal: Protest, Politics, and a Gen Z Election
After mass youth-led protests in September 2025 forced the prime minister to resign, Nepal is preparing for a March 5, 2026, election that could reshape its political future. In this episode, we unpack Nepal’s dramatic political evolution over the past 25 years and explore how this moment fits…
more -
Probably About: The NDP
This month, Alex and Kaleigh are talking about the New Democratic Party - Canada’s left-leaning, pro-labour, progressive third party - and what it means now that they’ve lost official party status in Parliament. We dig into the NDP’s legacy, their historic influence on major national policies…
more -
Greenland - March 28, 2025
Alex and Kaleigh return to Greenland to unpack the national election that took place earlier this month. With growing international attention on the Arctic region, this election wasn’t just about local politics—it was an opportunity to reflect on Greenland's ongoing journey toward independence…
more -
Student Protests: Serbia - February 18, 2025
From tragedy to uprising: Serbia's students are taking to the streets, demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders. What sparked this latest wave of protests, and how does it connect to Serbia's rich history of student activism? Join Alex and Kaleigh as they explore the pivotal...
-
Republic of Chad - December 19, 2024
As the final elections of 2024 approach, join Alex and Kaleigh to discuss upcoming elections in Chad. In this episode, the hosts quickly discover that the conversation transcends the electoral process and delves into the broader themes of democracy, colonial legacies, and the future of Chad and…
more -
Japan - October 25, 2024
Join Alex and Kaleigh as they dive into the political landscape of Japan, a country dominated by one governing party throughout much of its modern election history. This month's early election, prompted by a year rife with party scandals, appears unlikely to disrupt the status quo. We delve into...
-
Tren Maya & Pluriversality w/ Laura Primeau - July 8 2024
This month, Alex and Kaleigh unpack the recent Mexican election AND chat with a friend of the show, Laura Primeau, a PhD candidate studying Indigenous rights and the controversial Tren Maya project. Tune in to dive deeper into the election's impact and how Indigenous communities use international...
-
Mexico - June 11, 2024
Buckle up for Mexico's biggest election ever! Alex and Kaleigh analyze this historic election, from the record number of candidates to the landmark victory of Claudia Sheinbaum, the nation's first female president. They explore Mexico's political landscape, election details, and how the...
-
Senegal & Togo - April 23, 2024
When we covered the elections in Senegal, Alex and Kaleigh were left with a cliffhanger when the election was cancelled in February. This month, the podcast is back with the twist election ending no one saw coming! The hosts are also sticking to the theme of elections in Western Africa and…
more -
The International Court of Justice - March 17, 2024
Attention world affairs enthusiasts! The podcast is returning this March, and we'll explore the newsworthy world of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the judicial body of the United Nations. We've heard a lot recently, but what kind of disputes does the ICJ settle? Join Alex and Kaleigh…
more -
Senegal - February 11, 2024
Kaleigh did not tell Alex, but season 6 is here! In Episode 1, they discuss the developing situation in Senegal's election that was unfolding even as they recorded. Once regarded as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa, Senegal faces uncertainty as the incumbent president cancelled the...
-
Bhutan - November 27, 2023
This month, we are headed to Bhutan, a country between China and India in the Himalayas, to dive into the country's fourth national election. Alex and Kaleigh dive into how Bhutan took on building and introducing all the systems and processes of democracy to the voters and how that has created...
-
Luxembourg - September 25, 2023
Voters in Luxembourg have consistently chosen the most stable and unchanging option when they head to the polls, and it looks like they will again. But Alex and Kaleigh ask what previous efforts to expand enfranchisement to include more of the workforce living in the country could've meant for...
-
Gabon & Zimbabwe - August 25, 2023
We're visiting two new countries for Probably About Politics this month - Gabon and Zimbabwe! In their national elections, both countries are at a crossroads with long-serving regimes and leaders. Alex and Kaleigh explore why it is challenging for a country's democracy when only one party has…
more -
Spain, Ao3, & GPT - July 19, 2023
Sometimes talking about politics feels like you're watching a future movie play out, and this month Alex and Kaleigh are sharing three stories that could make fascinating political dramas. Spain's election is going down to the wire in the scorching summer heat. Fanfiction site Ao3 is at the…
more -
Mother's Day - May 14, 2023
Happy Mother's Day! Alex and Kaleigh are celebrating moms this year by exploring the history of activism and the political origins of Mother's Day. The hosts discover motherhood has long been intertwined with the biggest peace and social justice movements, and they consider how our circumstances...
-
Thailand, Turkey & Chile - April 26, 2023
We haven't covered an election in a couple of episodes, and to make up for it, we've got three in this one to prepare you for a busy May! Chile is electing officials to take on the process of building its new constitution. Thailand's opposition hopes they have a window for electoral victory…
more -
An Interview w/Marc Bragdon - Probably About Communication Series
For 2023 Alex and Kaleigh are kicking off with a brand new interview series exploring communication and sharing complex ideas that go on to inform our policy, and practices and shape our elections. To help us get started, we're talking with Marc Bragdon, Head of the Harriet Irving Library…
more -
FIFA & Politics - December 12, 2022
This month Alex and Kaleigh, as two football/soccer enthusiasts, are exploring some of the many ways that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Federation Internationale de Football Association are probably about politics, and they've brought on Corey Ganong, fellow soccer enthusiast and former...
-
Malaysia & COP27 - November 17, 2022
Probably About Politics is in Southeast Asia this month for Malaysia's upcoming general election. Since the last election in 2018, the coalition parties forming a government have changed a few times... Alex and Kaleigh take a look at the events that keep shaking up the government and explore how...
-
Brazil: Round 2 - October 11, 2022
This month Alex and Kaleigh are back in Brazil for the second round of presidential elections! After a tight first round of voting, all eyes are on the election between an incumbent and a former president and what it means for the future of Brazil's democracy. With major issues focusing on wealth...
-
Cold War: Chile - August 8, 2022
In this month's summer school, we are discussing the Cold War and the US' Operation Condor's effect on democracies across South and Central America. Alex and Kaleigh are zooming in on Chile and how their upcoming referendum on a new constitution is part of the country's ongoing efforts to build a...
-
Japan - July 11, 2022
This month Japan's off-year election proves every election matters! Alex and Kaleigh dive into what a super-majority means for Japan's future with issues from military funding and nuclear power to inflation and constitutional change on the table this election. Alex shares with us the long history...
-
Papua New Guinea - June 13, 2022
Alex and Kaleigh are heading to Papua New Guinea's election for the first time to explore the diverse and ever-shifting democracy of the island nation. PNG's 13-day election offers the hosts a great opportunity to explore voting on local vs. national issues, and creating laws to increase…
more -
Sanctions - May 24, 2022
Schools are in for the summer and Probably About Politics is here to explain interesting terms in democracy and governance. As a bonus episode this month Alex and Kaleigh are taking a look at the growing use of sanctions in international diplomacy. Together they discover just what a sanction is,...
-
Colombia - May 9, 2022
Colombia's upcoming presidential election indicates voters are ever looking for alternatives to the traditional political elite for the first time. The road to Presidential election day in a country navigating post-conflict democracy and elections after the 2016 Peace Agreement is bumpy with...
-
Slovenia ft. Costa Rica - April 11, 2022
After Costa Rica's presidential election reminded them that they're not in the predictions game, Alex and Kaleigh are heading to Slovenia this month. Slovenia's election, with the pressures of the conflict in Ukraine, and multiple political parties still in the race, is difficult to call and has...
-
East Timor ft. South Korea - March 14, 2022
Kaleigh and Alex are excited to be launching their 5th season of Probably About Politics! This exciting season five kick-off has 2x elections, 2x Guterres, and some brain-growing science news. More specifically your hosts are revisiting South Korea for the first time since season one and diving...
-
Costa Rica ft. Barbados - January 28, 2022
2022 is here and elections are already happening! To get the year started Alex and Kaleigh are diving into elections on two different island states at very different places in their present experience of democracy. Barbados and Costa Rica are both facing important questions and uncertainties…
more -
Chile: Presidential Election - December 18, 2021
To close out our look at elections in 2021 Kaleigh and Alex are heading to Chile for the first time with the pod to cover a very close run presidential election. Chileans have a choice between two candidates on totally opposing ends of the political perspective. But as the hosts discover the…
more -
COP26 - November 26, 2021
Kaleigh and Alex have been hearing a lot about COP26 and the crucial role of the Glasglow-based COP in achieving crucial global climate objectives. But what does a Conference of the Parties have to do with addressing climate change, and what did over 200 countries agree to in Paris that COP26 is...
-
Canada - September 18, 2021
Kaleigh and Alex are back on home turf again and diving in with an insider's perspective from the advance poll voting, and the issues of climate change, housing, and health care have dominated debates and of course exploring election hijinks new and old from the campaign trail. Instagram:...
-
Norwegian Election - September 6, 2021
Kaleigh and Alex are together again for the first time in 18+ months (with a guest dog!) to talk about a pretty regular Norwegian election. There are still a number of big questions like economic disparity, climate change and rural-urban divide that come up even in a normal election. Other very...
-
Haiti Referendum - July 4, 2021
Sometimes a country's constitution needs a refresh or leaders want to make changes to it. But successful constitutional reforms are hard to make! Kaleigh and Alex dive into some of the challenges demonstrated by the now delayed Haitian constitutional referendum and also explore how countries…
more -
Ethiopia - May 25, 2021
Ethiopia's COVID-19 delayed election is delayed again. The fall of authoritarianism and the election of the continent of Africa's youngest prime minister in the country's 2018 election was seen internationally as an exciting opportunity for the country's democracy. But as Alex and Kaleigh explore...
-
Greenland - April 6, 2021
Greenland is heading to the polls and you might not know it but the superpowers of the world are watching the outcome very closely. Tune in this month to learn with Alex and Kaleigh how Greenland's 56,000 person democracy has become the centre of the global supply chain of rare-earth metals…
more -
The Netherlands - 14 March, 2021
In their first trip back to Europe in 2021, Alex and Kaleigh look to the Netherlands to explore how, despite a government-ending scandal, a pandemic can make for a surprisingly predictable election. And if you're looking for great places to hang out the hosts explain why graveyards and forests...
-
Coups d'état - January 25, 2021
In this episode, we're asking questions about how we define coups d'état - or coups - and when exactly is a government overthrow defined as one. To answer Alex and Kaleigh explore coups in Thailand and Turkey, the history that led up to them and the complications and turmoil they left in their…
more -
2020 in Review - December 31, 2020
2020 has been a big year! For the year-end review Alex and Kaleigh catch up on elections even they forgot they covered this year. Together the hosts come up with their two biggest news stories (besides that pandemic thing) to watch in 2021 and reveal the elections coming up in the new year that...
-
The Commonwealth - December 3, 2020
Did you know the Commonwealth of Nations is the second largest international organization of nations after the United Nations? Alex and Kaleigh break down who exactly is in the Royal family, the history of the Commonwealth and why all these former British colonies (and Mozambique) are apart of…
more -
United States of America - October 20, 2020
Next week citizens in the United States of America heads to the polls to vote for referendums, mayors, judges, the senate, the house of representatives... Oh and the President. Alex and Kaleigh dive into how long ballots, even longer voting lines, and a lot of confusing rules make it hard for...
-
New Zealand - October 27, 2020
Alex and Kaleigh return to Aotearoa (or New Zealand) where the incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a rare and historic majority in the country's recent national elections. The hosts explore what that success might mean for the country and its popular prime minister over the course of the...
-
Democracy in a Pandemic - October 16, 2019
How has COVID-19 affected the practice of democracy and running elections? Alex and Kaleigh take a look at countries around the world who are balancing, in different ways, the COVID-19 public health measures with the democratic freedoms of their citizens from voting and campaigning to protest and...
About this show
Your favourite monthly podcast Probably About Politics is back for a fifth season. Your hosts, Alex and Kaleigh, are two doctoral students with a podcast ready to talk about world elections and democracy!In every episode, Alex and Kaleigh zoom in on an election somewhere in the world. They've covered everything from national to local elections, referendums and even a coup and have visited every continent (except Antarctica)! So if you have questions about democracy, elections, voting and, at least one time, whale poop, check out Probably About Politics for the answers.
Hosted by
Probably About Politics