Democracy Paradox

Justin Kempf

Is it possible for a democracy to govern undemocratically? Can the people elect an undemocratic leader? Is it possible for democracy to bring about authoritarianism? And if so, what does this say about democracy? My name is Justin Kempf. Every week I talk to the brightest minds on subjects like international relations, political theory, and history to explore democracy from every conceivable angle. Topics like civil resistance, authoritarian successor parties, and the autocratic middle class challenge our ideas about democracy. Join me as we unravel new topics every week.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

235 episodes
Updated Today

Support the show

Support this Podcast

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Episodes235

Newest first

Dec 27, 2022 · 35 min
Lynette Ong Describes How China Outsources Repression
The state is able to take advantage of the social capital by deploying social actors and in exercising social capital, through the process of persuasion. They'll be putting on pressure on these families, but the pressures being put on them are social pressures. People would often cave into this social pressure. So, there is compliance, but it doesn't feel like state repression. Lynette Ong Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Lynette Ong is a professor of political science at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. She is the author of the recent book Outsourcing Repression: Everyday State Power in Contemporary China. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:48 Thugs for Hire - 2:47 Political, Economic, and Social Brokers - 12:52 Zero-Covid Protests - 20:34 Outsourcing Repression After the Protests - 32:17 Key Links Outsourcing Repression: Everyday State Power in Contemporary China by Lynette Ong "China’s Massive Protests Are the End of a Once-Trusted Governance Model" by Lynette Ong in the Foreign Policy Learn more about Lynette Ong Democracy Paradox Podcast Jessica Pisano on How Zelenskyy Changed Ukraine Lucan Way on Ukraine. Democracy in Hard Places. More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Dec 20, 2022 · 42 min
Olga Onuch and Henry Hale Describe the Zelensky Effect
I just want to say that I don't think Zelensky has changed Ukraine. He amplified it. He mirrored what was already there in his time as an actor and comedian. He tried to show the realities and positions of ordinary Ukrainians as they saw them themselves and he then amplifies that and emphasizes that as a Ukrainian. Olga Onuch Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Olga Onuch is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester. Henry E. Hale is a Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University. They are the authors of a new book called The Zelensky Effect. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:44 The Maidan and the Independence Generation - 2:59 Zelensky's Origins - 9:19 The Zelensky Effect - 23:05 The Future of Ukraine - 33:11 Key Links The Zelensky Effect by Olga Onuch and Henry E. Hale "Why Ukrainians Are Rallying Around Democracy" by Olga Onuch in the Journal of Democracy Learn more about Olga Onuch Democracy Paradox Podcast Jessica Pisano on How Zelenskyy Changed Ukraine Lucan Way on Ukraine. Democracy in Hard Places. More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Dec 13, 2022 · 41 min
Elizabeth Economy in a Wide Ranging Conversation About China
But if you think that China can change and that Xi Jinping is not inevitable and Xi Jinping two and three and four and five are not inevitable, then I think that leads you to a slightly different set of policy recommendations. A set that's probably more open to discussion to ensuring that we continue to quote ‘Engage with China.’ Elizabeth C. Economy Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Elizabeth C. Economy is serving as the Senior Advisor for China to the Secretary of Commerce. She is on leave from her role as a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Previously she served as the Asia Director at the Council for Foreign Relations. Her past books include The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State and more recently The World According to China. The views expressed in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Commerce Department. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:43 China's Foreign Policy Priorities - 2:57 BRI & Chinese Investments - 11:21 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework - 22:25 Future Issues and Concerns - 28:23 Key Links The World According to China by Elizabeth C. Economy "Dissent is Not Dead" by Elizabeth C. Economy in the Journal of Democracy Learn more about Elizabeth C. Economy at the Hoover Institute Democracy Paradox Podcast Sarah Cook on China’s Expanding Global Media Influence Aynne Kokas on the Intersection Between Surveillance Capitalism and Chinese Sharp Power (or How Much Does the CCP Already Know About You?) More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Dec 6, 2022 · 39 min
Richard Wike Asked Citizens in 19 Countries Whether Social Media is Good for Democracy
When people think about social media, they think about the upsides of it. It speaks to what they want in democracy that they're not getting. They feel disconnected, voiceless, and not empowered. So, if there's ways that social media can play a role in empowering people and giving them a voice and holding accountable leaders that they don't think listen to them, those are upsides and that's some of the reasons why you get more positive evaluations of social media than we might think. Richard Wike Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Richard Wike is director of global attitudes research at Pew Research Center. He conducts research and writes about international public opinion on a variety of topics, such as America’s global image, the rise of China, democracy, and globalization. His latest report (coauthored with Laura Silver, Janell Fetterolf, Christine Huang, Sarah Austin, Laura Clancy and Sneha Gubbala) is "Social Media Seen as Mostly Good for Democracy Across Many Nations, But U.S. is a Major Outlier." Key Highlights Introduction - 0:47 Role of Survey Research - 2:47 Views on Social Media and Democracy - 5:27 Differences by Age - 16:35 Social Media Engagement - 24:23 Key Links "Social Media Seen as Mostly Good for Democracy Across Many Nations, But U.S. is a Major Outlier" by Richard Wike, Laura Silver, Janell Fetterolf, Christine Huang, Sarah Austin, Laura Clancy and Sneha Gubbala "Liberal Democracy’s Crisis of Confidence" by Richard Wike and Janell Fetterolf in the Journal of Democracy Learn more about Richard Wike at the Pew Research Center Democracy Paradox Podcast Allie Funk of Freedom House Assesses Global Internet Freedom Ronald Deibert from Citizen Lab on Cyber Surveillance, Digital Subversion, and Transnational Repression More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Nov 29, 2022 · 40 min
Naunihal Singh on the Myth of the Coup Contagion
Sometimes I found people who I was talking to and their coup happened after an elected leader became less democratic. They could very convincingly tell me that their coup was in response to those actions. Then I'd find out that they started plotting the coup years in advance or entertaining it when the situation was very different. Naunihal Singh Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Naunihal Singh is associate professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College and the author of Seizing Power: The Strategic Logic of Military Coups (2014). He recently wrote the article "The Myth of the Coup Contagion" in the Journal of Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:43 Brief History of Coups - 3:11 Anti-Coup Norm - 10:33 Conditions for a Coup - 18:33 Reinforcing the Anti-Coup Norm - 35:53 The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government. Key Links "The Myth of the Coup Contagion" by Naunihal Singh in the Journal of Democracy Seizing Power: The Strategic Logic of Military Coups by Naunihal Singh Learn more about Naunihal Singh Democracy Paradox Podcast Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way on the Durable Authoritarianism of Revolutionary Regimes Michael Miller on the Unexpected Paths to Democratization More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Nov 22, 2022 · 59 min
Mohammed Ali Kadivar on Paths to Durable Democracy and Thoughts on the Protests in Iran
It's been exciting and it's been overwhelming. It's exciting to see people are rising, to see the amount of bravery on the streets, how these young women and men will stand up against the armored police with bare hands. It's been inspiring. Mohammad Ali Kadivar Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Mohammad Ali Kadivar is an assistant professor of sociology and international studies at Boston College. He is the author of the book Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:38 Democratization Examples: Egypt and South Africa - 3:20 Democratization and Durable Democracy - 11:12 Nonviolence and Democratization - 23:33 Part 2: The Iranian Protests - 38:49 Key Links Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy by Mohammed Ali Kadivar "Sticks, Stones, and Molotov Cocktails: Unarmed Collective Violence and Democratization " by Mohammed Ali Kadivar and Neil Ketchley in Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World Learn more about Mohammed Ali Kadivar Democracy Paradox Podcast Michael Coppedge on Why Democracies Emerge, Why They Decline, and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Mark Beissinger on Urban Civic Revolutions More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Nov 15, 2022 · 38 min
Michael Ignatieff Warns Against the Politics of Enemies
Democracy is the stage in which we mount the battle for power and we fight out our competing visions of what would be good for a society. But at the same time, the most dangerous of all things we try to do in a democracy is argue about what is democratic and what is undemocratic. Michael Ignatieff Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Michael Ignatieff is a historian and former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He has served as rector and president of Central European University, and is the author, most recently, of On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times. He recently wrote, "The Politics of Enemies" in the Journal of Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction What is democracy? 3:15 Role of Politicians - 18:05 January 6th - 21:06 The Politics of Enemies - 23:51 Consolation After Electoral Losses - 34:55 Key Links "The Politics of Enemies" by Michael Ignatieff in the Journal of Democracy On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times by Michael Ignatieff Learn more about Michael Ignatieff Democracy Paradox Podcast Jason Brownlee Believes We Underestimate Democratic Resilience Jeremi Suri on America’s Unfinished Fight for Democracy More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Nov 8, 2022 · 45 min
Emilee Booth Chapman Has Ideas About Voting with Profound Implications
There is this idea on the one hand of this mass collective participation, but on the other hand that there's a lot of attention being given to the sort of dignity of each individual contribution. So, I think the experience of voting that is most valuable is when you have these two experiences juxtapose with each other Emilee Booth Chapman Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Emilee Booth Chapman is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. Her most recent book is Election Day: How We Vote and What It Means for Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:40 Common Perceptions of Elections - 3:17 Creative Work of Politics - 15:15 Thoughts on Voting Reforms - 29:49 A Model of Good Voting - 39:21 Key Links Election Day: How We Vote and What It Means for Democracy by Emilee Booth Chapman Learn more about Emilee Booth Chapman Democracy Paradox Podcast Jason Brownlee Believes We Underestimate Democratic Resilience Miles Rapoport on How We Can Achieve Universal Voting More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Nov 1, 2022 · 40 min
Jason Brownlee Believes We Underestimate Democratic Resilience
71% of Americans are concerned about democracy. And apparently that number, roughly 71%, holds for both parties. So, if listeners are concerned about democracy, they can expect that there's someone from the other party who's also concerned about democracy from a different perspective. Jason Brownlee Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. Check out the podcast Entitled A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Jason Brownlee is a professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. Along with Kenny Miao, he is the author of "Why Democracies Survive" and "A Quiet Consensus" in the Journal of Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:41 Democratic Decline and Resiliency - 3:40 National Income or Wealth and Democracy - 13:49 Democratic Backsliding - 21:53 More than Minimal Democracy - 32:02 Key Links "Why Democracies Survive" by Jason Brownlee and Kenny Miao in the recent Journal of Democracy "A Quiet Consensus" by Jason Brownlee and Kenny Miao in the recent Journal of Democracy Learn more about Jason Brownlee Democracy Paradox Podcast Michael Coppedge on Why Democracies Emerge, Why They Decline, and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Sarah Repucci from Freedom House with an Update on Freedom in the World More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Oct 25, 2022 · 39 min
Allie Funk of Freedom House Assesses Global Internet Freedom
The Internet's a battle space. I think this year unfortunately we've seen that more than ever with Russia's brazen invasion of Ukraine about how the internet and digital platforms are used to pursue authoritarian ends or to promote democracy and freedom and help people stay safe during armed conflict. Allie Funk Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Allie Funk is the Research Director for Technology and Democracy at Freedom House. She was deeply involved in this year's Freedom on the Net report and coauthored the executive summary "Countering an Authoritarian Overhaul of the Internet" along with Adrian Shahbaz and Kian Vesteinsson. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:42 The Importance of Internet Freedom - 2:42 Where Internet Freedom Improved - 6:34 Internet Freedom in the China - 18:25 Internet Freedom as Transnational - 25:11 Key Links Freedom on the Net 2022: Countering an Authoritarian Overhaul of the Internet by Adrian Shahbaz, Allie Funk, and Kian Vesteinsson Learn more about Allie Funk Follow Allie Funk on Twitter @alfunk Democracy Paradox Podcast Sarah Cook on China’s Expanding Global Media Influence Sarah Repucci from Freedom House with an Update on Freedom in the World More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Oct 18, 2022 · 41 min
Jeremi Suri on America's Unfinished Fight for Democracy
Our democracy is an evolving machine. The machine was built by a small group of people who were all men and looked the same. Over time the strength of American society is that it has grown and become more diverse and become very different. Our democracy has in an inefficient, episodic way been able to adjust and been able to at least account for some of that. But it hasn't done that in about a generation, and it's long time we do that. Jeremi Suri Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. Order Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy by Jeremi Suri A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Jeremi Suri is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He cohosts the podcast This is Democracy with his son Zachary. His latest book is Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:50 Reconstruction and American Democracy - 3:21 Contradictions in American Reconstruction - 15:25 How Reconstruction Era Issues Shape Democracy Today - 23:25 Democracy and Political Reform - 32:18 Key Links This is Democracy a podcast from Jeremi and Zachary Suri Follow Jeremi Suri on Twitter @JeremiSuri Democracy Paradox Podcast Lynn Vavreck on the 2020 Election and the Challenge to American Democracy Can America Preserve Democracy without Retreating from it? Robert C. Lieberman on the Four Threats More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Oct 11, 2022 · 41 min
Frank Dikötter on the History of China After Mao
This is a party absolutely determined to maintain a monopoly of power and absolutely determined to crush any attempt by any group to suggest that there ought to be anything like separation of powers. No labor unions. No civil society. No freedom of press. No judicial independence. The mere suggestion of it seems to be so offensive that people end up in jail and that’s a constant theme that runs throughout this entire period. Frank Dikötter Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. Order China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower by Frank Dikötter (Available in the UK now. Available in the US November 15th, 2022.) A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Frank Dikötter is the author of three books about China under Mao called the People’s Trilogy. He is currently the Chair Professor of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong. His latest book is China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:52 Life in China After Mao - 3:06 How much did China Reform After Mao - 13:20 What do the Chinese People Want from Reform - 25:38 Is Political Reform Necessary for Deeper Economic Reforms - 29:33 Why is China's Reform Overstated - 36:18 Key Links Learn more about Frank Dikötter at Wikipedia The People's Trilogy by Frank Dikötter Democracy Paradox Podcast Sarah Cook on China’s Expanding Global Media Influence Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way on the Durable Authoritarianism of Revolutionary Regimes More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Oct 4, 2022 · 39 min
Larry Diamond on Supporting Democracy in the World and at Home
The world can't wait for us to counter Russian and Chinese disinformation, support democratic struggles abroad, help to stabilize and improve democratic institutions, forge partnerships between our democratic organizations and actors and parties and theirs, and otherwise promote democracy around the world. The world can't wait for us to do that. Larry Diamond Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Larry Diamond is widely considered the leading scholar of democracy. He is a professor at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He was a co-founder of the Journal of Democracy with Marc Plattner in 1990. His influence on the thought and practice of democracy is incalculable. His recent article in Foreign Affairs is titled "All Democracy is Global." Key Highlights Introduction - 0:49 Importance of Democracy - 2:34 Strategies to Promote Democracy - 11:30 American Policies - 19:59 Using Democracy's Strengths - 30:32 Key Links Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency by Larry Diamond Follow Larry Diamond on Twitter @LarryDiamond Check out Larry Diamond's Greatest Hits at the Journal of Democracy "All Democracy is Global" by Larry Diamond Democracy Paradox Podcast Michael McFaul and Robert Person on Putin, Russia, and the War in Ukraine Moisés Naím on the New Dynamics of Political Power More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Sep 27, 2022 · 35 min
Lynn Vavreck on the 2020 Election and the Challenge to American Democracy
The people who win get to enact policy and they get to change the world we live in. But we're at this moment where the candidates who lose, if they think that they don't have to abide by election outcomes, that's very important and that affects the kind of world we live in. Lynn Vavreck Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Order The Bitter End: The 2020 Presidential Campaign and the Challenge to American Democracy by Chris Tausanovitch, John Sides, and Lynn Vavreck Lynn Vavreck is the Marvin Hoffenberg Professor of American Politics and Public Policy at UCLA. She’s a contributor for The Upshot at The New York Times. She recently coauthored (with John Sides and Chris Tausanovitch) The Bitter End: The 2020 Presidential Campaign and the Challenge to American Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:39 Lessons from 2016 - 3:05 Political Calcification - 14:31 Why Did the Democrats Nominate Joe Biden? - 18:51 Forecasting the 2020 Election - 25:52 Implications for American Democracy - 29:39 Key Links Follow Lynn Vavreck on Twitter @vavreck Learn more about Lynn Vavreck Democracy Paradox Podcast Robert Lieberman, Kenneth Roberts, and David Bateman on Democratic Resilience and Political Polarization in the United States Karen Greenberg on the War on Terror, Donald Trump, and American Democracy More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Democracy Paradox is part of the Amazon Affiliates Program and earns commissions on items purchased from links to the Amazon website. All links are to recommended books discussed in the podcast or referenced in the blog. Support the show
Sep 20, 2022 · 39 min
Sarah Cook on China's Expanding Global Media Influence
In country after country - we've counted over 130 news outlets of 30 countries that were republishing content that was produced by Chinese state media outlets or the Chinese embassy. So, these state media outlets are actually formally under the control of the Communist Party's propaganda department. Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Sarah Cook is the Research Director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Freedom House. She also directs their China Media Bulletin and authored the executive summary of this latest report, "Beijing's Global Media Influence 2022: Authoritarian Expansion and the Power of Democratic Resilience." Key Highlights Introduction - 0:38 China and its Media Influence - 2:58 Chinese Influence Tactics - 12:48 The Effectiveness of Chinese Influence - 18:30 Resiliency of Democracies - 27:47 Key Links Read the report "Beijing's Global Media Influence 2022: Authoritarian Expansion and the Power of Democratic Resilience" Follow Sarah Cook on Twitter @Sarah_G_Cook Follow Freedom House on Twitter @freedomhouse Democracy Paradox Podcast Aynne Kokas on the Intersection Between Surveillance Capitalism and Chinese Sharp Power (or How Much Does the CCP Already Know About You?) Sarah Repucci from Freedom House with an Update on Freedom in the World More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Support the show
Sep 19, 2022 · 50 min
Constitution Makers on Constitution Making: Hassen Ebrahim on South Africa's Constitution
Back then as a child, when it was normal that we couldn't ride on all buses and sit on all park benches and be allowed to go and watch a movie in a cinema together. Today, our children simply don't know that we had those experiences. But in it lies the wonders of the successes of what we have achieved. And if we managed to change that, then I think we have the ability to change from where we are currently into the future. Hassen Ebrahim Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. Preorder the new book Constitution Makers on Constitution Making: New Cases here. Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Hassen Ebrahim was Executive Director of the Constitutional Assembly of South Africa, and is an advisor on constitution building. He participated in the construction of South Africa's constitution. He is the author of the chapter "Decisions, Deadlocks and Deadlines in Making South Africa’s Constitution" in the forthcoming book Constitution Makers on Constitution Making. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:50 Meaning of a Constitution - 2:54 Hassen's Political Journey - 10:07 Constitutional Process - 20:22 Unifying Event - 29:15 Areas of Disagreement - 36:48 Future of South Africa's Democracy - 46:18 Key Links Read the Constitution of South Africa Constitution Makers on Constitution Making: New Cases edited by Tom Ginsburg and Sumit Bisarya Democracy Paradox Podcast Joseph Fishkin on the Constitution, American History, and Economic Inequality Donald Horowitz on the Formation of Democratic Constitutions More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox 100 Books on Democracy Support the show
Sep 6, 2022 · 45 min
Simon Usherwood on Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and the Nested Games of British Politics
Politics requires complex and ongoing engagement by all of us. There are lots of elements that hang together. The Brexit process has really highlighted that whatever we decide to do that has knock-on consequences and those knock-on consequences have knock-on consequences of their own which might come back and affect our original decision. Everything is connected and we are never going to have something that's going to make everybody happy. Simon Usherwood Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. Order The Nested Games of Brexit here. Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Simon Usherwood is a Professor of Politics & International Studies at the Open University, Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Surrey's Centre for Britain & Europe and a National Teaching Fellow. Simon coauthored (along with John Pindar) The European Union: A Very Short Introduction. He recently coedited (along with Agnès Alexandre-Collier and Pauline Schnapper) The Nested Games of Brexit. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:48 The Rise of Boris Johnson - 3:44 Why Boris Johnson Resigned - 16:40 What are Nested Games - 23:48 Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - 31:55 What Have we Learned about Democracy? 40:23 Key Links European Union: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by John Pindar and Simon Usherwood Learn more about Simon Usherwood Follow Simon Usherwood on Twitter @Usherwood Democracy Paradox Podcast Amory Gethin on Political Cleavages, Inequality, and Party Systems in 50 Democracies Susan Rose-Ackerman on the Role of the Executive in Four Different Democracies More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Support the show
Aug 30, 2022 · 41 min
Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way on the Durable Authoritarianism of Revolutionary Regimes
People like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, they basically lashed out at the entire capitalist world and that lashing out created a counterrevolutionary armed struggle, which in turn contributed to their durability. So, it's that reckless behavior in creating enemies that ultimately led to their creating very strong authoritarian institutions. Lucan Way Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. Preorder Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way's new book Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism here. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Lucan Way is a professor of political science at the University of Toronto and Co-Director of the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine. Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies, professor of government, and director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University. They are also co-chairs of the editorial board at the Journal of Democracy. They are the authors of the forthcoming book Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:45 How Recklessness Leads to Authoritarian Durability - 3:17 Why Revolutions Abandon Pluralism - 16:53 Revolutions and Institution Building - 22:05 Why does Durable Authoritarianism Fail - 29:31 Is the Era of Revolutions Over - 38:01 Key Links Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism by Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes after the Cold War by Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way "The Durability of Revolutionary Regimes" by Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way in the Journal of Democracy Democracy Paradox Podcast Lucan Way on Ukraine. Democracy in Hard Places. Mark Beissinger on Urban Civic Revolutions More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Support the show
Aug 23, 2022 · 39 min
Laura Gamboa on Opposition Strategies to Resist Democratic Erosion
There's always another set of elections. So, let's set up for elections. Let's figure out how to mobilize people. Let's figure out how to engage them and answer the question, ‘Why they elected this person? What did we miss? What do we need to build? Which kind of program.’ I think using the streets is great, but definitely you need training… A lot of training.This is a long-term effort. It's not about calling you on Facebook for a demonstration and that's it. Laura Gamboa Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. Preorder Laura Gamboa's new book Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy here. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Laura Gamboa is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Utah. She is the author of the forthcoming book Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:47 Uribe was a Threat to Democracy - 3:11 Opposition Strategies in Colombia - 14:20 Opposition Strategies in Venezuela - 17:53 How Often do Aspiring Autocrats Get Elected - 27:03 Final Advice for Democratic Oppositions - 34:02 Key Links Learn more about Laura Gamboa "The Peace Process and Colombia’s Elections" by Laura Gambia in the Journal of Democracy Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy by Laura Gamboa Democracy Paradox Podcast Kim Lane Scheppele on Hungary, Viktor Orbán, and its Democratic Decline Caitlin Andrews-Lee on Charismatic Movements and Personalistic Leaders More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox 100 Books on Democracy Support the show
Aug 16, 2022 · 48 min
Kim Lane Scheppele on Hungary, Viktor Orbán, and its Democratic Decline
So, I came back from that trip and said to one of my good friends back in Budapest, ‘I think I've met the most dangerous person I've ever met personally.’ And she said, ‘Oh Viktor, he's nothing. He's like a kid. He's in his thirties.’ I mean, he was an aspiring politician at this point. His party was at the bottom of the polls. It didn't look like he had any future. And I said, ‘No, this guy has something. It's hard to define what it is, but we're going to be hearing from him.’ Kim Lane Scheppele Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes, ad free episodes and exclusive updates and information. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Kim Lane Scheppele is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs and the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:50 Kim Lane Scheppele meets Viktor Orbán - 2:45 Viktor Orbán as Prime Minister 1998-2002 - 9:21 Hungary Changes its Constitution 15:56 Orbán Undermines Democracy Legally - 26:32 Why do Voters Support Orbán and Fidesz - 41:48 Key Links Learn more about Kim Lane Scheppele "How Viktor Orbán Wins" by Kim Lane Scheppele in the Journal of Democracy 9/11 and the Rise of Global Anti-Terrorism Law: How the UN Security Council Rules the World edited by Kim Lane Scheppele and Arianna Vedaschi Democracy Paradox Podcast Moisés Naím on the New Dynamics of Political Power Stephan Haggard and Robert Kaufman on Democratic Backsliding More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Democracy Group Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.com Follow on Twitter @DemParadox 100 Books on Democracy Support the show