Wee Lads, Big Problems: Recent Episodes
Wee Lads, Big Problems
two clueless freshers from trinity college dublin, ryan o'connor and evan carron-kee, discuss big issues in politics and international relations they knew nothing about a week ago
IG: @weeladsbigproblems credit to lila funge for all episode art
live on trinity fm every thursday at 4pm
Would Jesus join Sinn Féin? Should the dominant political ideology of our age be the 2014 grunge tumblr aesthetic? Is the Sims 4 a model for a utopia? And finally, is Lísin from Hurlamaboc the ultimate girlboss?
Ryan and Evan are bombarded with hot takes from former Wee Lads guests and flatmates Frank, Lila, Oliwia and Ellen.
Originally broadcast live on Trinity FM, 23/04/2021
Jared Reilly talks to the Wee Lads about the geopolitics of the South China Sea, the Chinese economy, and the middle powers theory in international relations. Ryan talks about the Belt and Road Initiative and China's efforts to expand its sphere of influence. Evan talks about the danger of conflict breaking out in the South China Sea, and the effects this could have on international politics.
Ryan and Evan interview Zoe Lawlor and Tuqa Al Sarraj!
Zoë Lawlor is an Irish human rights activist. She's the cultural liaison with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and co-coordinator of Gaza Action Ireland. Zoë was also involved with the Irish Ship to Gaza as part of an international coalition to try to break the illegal Israeli siege of Gaza. With Gaza Action Ireland she has brought two groups of young Palestinian footballers to tour Ireland to raise awareness of the situation in Gaza.
Dublin based visual Artist Tuqa Al Sarraj, grew up in Ramallah where she studied at The International Academy Of Art Palestine (IAAP). Throughout her work Al Sarraj combines mixed media, video, performance, found objects and text to navigate themes of folklore, memory, loss, displacement and exile. She utilises the public space of the city as well as her own private space.
Currently Al Sarraj is in her final year in Fine Art Media at the National College of Art and Design. Her work has been presented at NCAD (2020); MISA (2019); Yellow Box (2018); LIT (2018); IAAP (2017); Centre Social, Georges Brassens (2016); Goethe Institut (2016); Copy Room Studio (2016); KHiO (2015); UAL (2014)
Evan and Ryan are joined by their philosophy of religion lecturer Michael O'Gorman. Questions range from 'How can an omnibenevolent god exist in a world with so much evil?' to 'Does God listen to WAP every now and then?'. Enjoy this April Fool's special!
Originally broadcast on Trinity FM, 01/04/2021
What makes some green parties more effective than others? Should green politics be driven by pragmatism or principles? And finally, do we even need green parties? How did an 'article' in Playboy herald the beginning of Green Party politics?
Join Evan and Ryan as they talk to Conal O'Boyle and Ben Rododera. Conal is a climate activist, member of the Labour Party and a former member of the Green Party. Ben is a PPES student from Germany. Both of these people know what they're talking about, and the Wee Lads are there too!
The wee gals have solved all the wee lads problems, so they're taking over for International Women's Day! Get empowered with Ellen, Ella, Lila and Oliwia as they discuss girl-bosses, intersectionality and terrible jokes. The gals discuss the Strong Powerful Women closest to their hearts- Lynn Ruane, Pinar Selek, Audre Lorde and Barbra Nowacka.
The Wee Lads are joined by Ella Burkett this week, as they discuss media in Turkey. Evan describes the recent political history in Turkey and talks about his Graph of the Week. Ella talks about how the lack of media freedom in Turkey affects politics and harms minority groups. Ryan discusses the prospects for media in Turkey, the effect of the internet on Turkish politics, and possible solutions to the problem.
The Wee Lads discuss populism in Europe with friend of pod Oliwia Borek, and Trinity icon Karl Barx. Join Ryan, Evan, and Oliwia as they discuss populism in Hungary, Poland, and Ireland. What is populism? How do populist parties get into power, and how do they maintain their power? And what do they typically use this power for?
Thanks so much for all the support for our first run on Trinity FM! We’ll be back with more next week!
Sources:
Poland and Law and Justice
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17754512
www.politico.eu/article/5-takeways-polish-election-2015-law-justice-civic-voters-kaczynski-tusk-eu-pis-szydlo/
www.fpri.org/article/2020/07/polands-presidential-election-its-the-economy-stupid/
Ireland and Sinn Féin
foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/14/ireland-elections-sinn-fein-populism/
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W9dp0vMay_JN86EROkobH_d25PRwxTg9?usp=sharing
This week Lila Funge joins the wee lads to discuss politics and economics in Myanmar. Evan begins with an overview of recent Burmese history and politics, and introduces the civil conflicts which have plagued Myanmar over the last seven decades. Lila discussed the details surrounding the coup earlier this month and the effects it might have on the ethnic minorities in Myanmar. Ryan concluded with an analysis of the economic situation in Myanmar and future prospects for the country. Correction: around the 40 minute mark Ryan says 'Rohingya muslims' when he meant 'Uyghur muslims'. Sorry! Originally broadcast live on Trinity FM, on 18/02/2021. We are not experts! Show notes: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56053007 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-timeline-idUSKBN2AF04C https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11685977 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/asia-pacific/tanks-on-city-streets-in-myanmar-as-mass-protests-continue-1.4484623 https://carnegieendowment.org/files/myanmar_economy.pdf https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/186810341703600104 https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Burma-Myanmar-OVERVIEW-OF-ECONOMY.html https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b166-responding-myanmar-coup History and Government of Myanmar Myanmar - Government and society Making war and law - Myanmar's army blocks constitutional reforms | Asia Guerrillas with attitude - An ethnic militia with daring tactics is humiliating Myanmar's army | Asia https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/myanmar-military-rule-to-fragile-democracy https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/312-identity-crisis-ethnicity-and-conflict-myanmar Ok this has nothing to do with the pod but thought it was interesting anyway: Aygay angslay - Gay people in Myanmar have adopted a secret language | Asia
Ryan and Evan are joined by Frank Wolfe, a 6'6 wee lad from Howth, and fellow PPES student.
Frank begins with an overview of how the modern Chinese state actually works. Ryan talks about the atrocities committed by the Chinese state against the Uyghurs. Evan concludes with an analysis of some approaches the EU and the USA could pursue in defense of human rights in Xinjiang.
Originally broadcast live on Trinity FM, on 11/02/2021.
Ryan, Evan, and Oisin are joined by fellow fresher Ellen Kenny as they discuss the state of democracy in Africa. What is the history of democracy in Africa? What relationship exists between political reforms and economic development? And what approach should the West take towards undemocratic regimes?
Originally broadcast live on Trinity FM, on 04/02/2021.