
How My Country Works
By Stephen O'Shea
An entertaining and informative weekly dive into different countries' political systems and institutions. Making sure you feel informed and not out of the loop at your next dinner party.

How My Country WorksSep 07, 2021
00:00
02:26

Bonus - Enclave vs Exclave
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, Enclaves vs Exclaves
Mar 08, 202202:20

S2 EP16 - Burkina Faso
Next up, located in West Africa, with the capital Ouegadougou, a population of 21.6 million and functioning as Presidential democracy, is Burkina Faso
Feb 27, 202208:15

Bonus - Bosnia and Herzegovina Revisited
During the Christmas break we'll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes. This week it's Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jan 09, 202216:20

Bonus - Bhutan Revisited
During the Christmas break we'll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes. This week it's Bhutan
Dec 26, 202116:23

S2 EP15 - Bulgaria
Next up, located in Eastern Europe, with the capital Sofia, a population of 6.8 million and functioning as Parliamentary democracy, is Bulgaria
Dec 20, 202118:26

Bonus - Bermuda Triangle
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, the Bermuda Triangle?
Dec 15, 202104:56

Brunei - S2 EP14
Next up, located in South East Asia, with the capital Bandur Seri Begawar, a population of 442 thousand and functioning as an absolute monarchy, is Brunei.
Dec 12, 202111:36

Bonus - Back to Barbados
Given that Barbados has recently become a republic we thought it was a good opportunity to revisit the country. This is the Barbados episode from earlier in the year
Dec 08, 202110:06

Brazil - S2 EP13
Next up, located in South America, with the capital Brasilia, a population of 214 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Brazil.
Dec 05, 202120:30

Bonus - Unrecognised States
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, unrecognised states
Dec 01, 202102:41

Botswana - S2 EP12
Next up, located in Southern Africa, with the capital Gaborone, a population of 2.4 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Botswana.
Nov 28, 202113:31

Bonus - Regional Bodies
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, Regional Bodies
Nov 24, 202102:11

Bosnia and Herzegovina - S2 EP11
Next up, located in Eastern Europe, with the capital Sarajevo, a population of 3.2 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nov 21, 202116:20

Bonus - Where's Burma?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, where's Burma?
Nov 17, 202101:53

Bolivia - S2 EP10
Next up, located in South America, with the capitals of La Paz and Sucre, a population of 11.8 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Bolivia.
Nov 14, 202115:54

Bonus - What's the difference between front bench and back bench?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is the difference between front bench and back bench?
Nov 10, 202101:38

Bonus - Australia Revisited
Chatting to a political podcaster and a political historian about a country that has seen its power dynamics transformed by the pandemic
Nov 07, 202113:29

Bonus - What is Yugoslavia?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is Yugoslavia?
Nov 03, 202102:40

Bhutan - S2 EP9
Next up, located in Central Asia, with the capital Thimpu, a population of 780k and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Bhutan.
Oct 31, 202116:23

Bonus - What is a bicameral legislature?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what a bicameral legislature?
Oct 26, 202102:03

Benin - S2 EP8
Next up, located in West Africa, with the capital Belmopan, a population of 12.5m and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Benin.
Oct 24, 202115:23

Bonus - What is the International Court of Justice?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is the ICJ?
Oct 19, 202101:60

Belize - S2 EP7
Next up, located in Central America, with the capital Belmopan, a population of 406k and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Belize
Oct 17, 202110:31

Bonus - The difference between unitary and federal government
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is the difference between unitary and federal government?
Oct 12, 202102:15

Belgium - S2 EP6
Next up, located in Central Europe, with the capital Brussels, a population of 11.6m and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Belgium
Oct 10, 202112:22

Bonus - What is the Soviet Union?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is the Soviet Union?
Oct 05, 202102:49

Belarus - S2 EP5
Next up, located in Eastern Europe, with the capital Minsk, a population of 9.4m and functioning as a Presidential democracy, though more accurately, an autocratic dictatorship, is Belarus.
Oct 03, 202112:49

Bonus - Algeria Revisited
On 17th September 2021 the former leader of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, died. Only a couple of years ago the aging leader had tried to run for a fifth term, sparking huge protests in his country. To mark the occasion we're revisiting the episode with Muriam Davis, of which Bouteflika was a key focus
Sep 28, 202116:36

Barbados - S2 EP4
Next up, located in the Caribbean, with the capital Bridgetown, a population of 287k and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Barbados.
Sep 26, 202110:06

Bonus - What are NGOs?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what are NGOs?
Sep 21, 202104:40

Bangladesh - S2 EP3
Next up, located in Asia, with the capital Dhaka, a population of 166 million and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Bangladesh
Sep 19, 202115:60

Bonus - The difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Sep 14, 202102:25

Bahrain - S2 EP2
Next up, located in the Middle East, with the capital Manama, a population of 1.7 million and functioning as a Constitutional Monarchy, is Bahrain
Sep 12, 202115:11

Bonus - Coups
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is a coup?
Sep 07, 202102:26

The Bahamas - S2 EP1
Next up, in the Caribbean, with a population of only 397,000 and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is The Bahamas.
Sep 05, 202113:06

Bonus - What is a Coalition?
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is a coalition?
Aug 29, 202103:16

Bonus - Left Wing vs Right Wing
Many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, it's Left Wing vs Right Wing
Aug 22, 202103:26

Bonus - Afghanistan Revisited
Next up, it’s Afghanistan, and what exactly is an Islamic Emirate?
Aug 17, 202105:12

Azerbaijan - S1 EP11
Next up, located in the Caucasus Mountains, with a population of 10 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Azerbaijan
Aug 15, 202109:45

Bonus - Communism
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, it's Communism
Aug 10, 202104:01

Austria - S1 EP10
How My Country Works. The podcast that rummages around the hoarder's basement of global political systems and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we delve into the fascinating world of a different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. Next up, in the heart of Europe, with a population of 8.8 million and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Austria.
Aug 08, 202116:34

Bonus - Antarctica
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, Antarctica
Aug 03, 202104:01

Australia - S1 EP9
How My Country Works. The podcast that rummages around the hoarder's basement of global political systems and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we delve into the fascinating world of a different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. Next up, the largest country in Oceania, with a population of 26 million and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Australia. For additional reading resources see 'Dark Emu' by Bruce Pascoe and 'Only in Australia' by William Coleman.
Aug 01, 202115:01

Bonus - What is a Chancellor?
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, what is a Chancellor?
Jul 27, 202103:04

Armenia - S1 EP8
How My Country Works. The podcast that rummages around the hoarder's basement of global political systems and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we delve into the fascinating world of a different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. Next up, with a population of 3 million and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Armenia.
Jul 25, 202111:48

Bonus - The United Nations
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, it’s The United Nations
Jul 20, 202104:44

Argentina - S1 EP7
How My Country Works. The podcast that rummages around the hoarder's basement of global political systems and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we delve into the fascinating world of a different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. Next up, on the coast of South America, with a population of 45 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Argentina.
Jul 18, 202122:08

Bonus - The IMF and World Bank
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, it’s The IMF and The World Bank
Jul 13, 202104:38

Antigua and Barbuda - S1 EP6
How My Country Works. The podcast that rummages around the hoarder's basement of global political systems and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we delve into the fascinating world of a different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. Next up, in the Caribbean, with a population of only 98 thousand and functioning as a Parliamentary democracy, is Antigua and Barbuda.
Jul 11, 202115:35

Bonus - Colonisation
How My Country Works with your host Stephen O’Shea. The podcast that rummages around the hoarders basement of the global political system and pulls out the insightful gems hidden way at the back. Each episode we’ll be working, alphabetically, through different countries politics so you can show off to your friends and maybe gain a slightly better understanding of just how those countries work. However many of the episodes will tackle themes and concepts that shape the broader picture but don’t sit neatly with just one country. With this in mind we’ll be looking to do a bonus episode every so often to help fill you in. And next up, it’s Colonisation
Jul 06, 202104:60