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Democracy Paradox

Justin Kempf

240 episodes

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.

Episodes page 1 of 5

  1. Michael McFaul Says Powerful Autocracies as a Lasting Threat

    · 47 min · S2 E28

    We don’t need to export ideas about freedom and democracy because those ideas are already really popular around the world. Michael McFaul Why do some powerful countries become adversaries while others remain enduring…

  2. Ian Shapiro Says the Left's "Preemptive Capitulation" to Neoliberalism Paved the Way for Populism

    · 49 min · S2 E27

    If we want people to support democratic capitalism, it has to be a kind of democratic capitalism that delivers for most people, and we haven't had that. Ian Shapiro What went wrong after the Cold War – and what can…

  3. Noam Lupu Says Support for Democracy Is Growing in the Americas, But Not Necessarily Liberal Democracy

    · 45 min · S2 E26

    The irony of democratic backsliding is a lot of these things are pitched to people and understood by people as actually pro-democratic. Noam Lupu Support for democracy is rising across the Americas after more than a…

  4. Alexander Cooley and Alexander Dukalskis Fear Autocracies Are Hijacking the International Order

    · 50 min · S2 E26

    There was an assumption that influence could only run one direction... but influence could run the other direction as well. Alexander Cooley Authoritarian governments are exercising growing influence not only within…

  5. Suzanne Mettler Says the Rural-Urban Divide Threatens American Democracy

    · 49 min · S2 E25

    We barely disagree with each other, but we can't stand one another's party. Suzanne Mettler Suzanne Mettler is the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions at Cornell University. She is the coauthor of Four…

  6. Rachel Beatty Riedl Says Economic Inequality Is Fueling Democratic Backsliding

    · 47 min · S2 E24

    I'm by nature optimistic, but am extremely worried because of the structural moment we live in. Rachel Beatty Riedl Political scientist Rachel Beatty Riedl joins host Justin Kempf to examine how extreme economic…

  7. Kim Lane Scheppele on Hungary's Narrow Path Back to Democracy

    · 52 min · S2 E23

    You can only get to the point of restoring democratic institutions if you win the last election with such a huge majority that you really have the public with you as you make radical change. Kim Lane Scheppele Kim…

  8. Jeffrey Kopstein Explains Why Polarization Turns Violent

    · 46 min · S2 E22

    The question is not whether polarization is dangerous, but the conditions under which it becomes violent. Jeffrey Kopstein Jeffrey Kopstein joins the Democracy Paradox to discuss when polarization turns violent.…

  9. Pepper Culpepper Says Good Populism Can Save Democracy

    · 49 min · S2 E21

    We think the next ten years are going to be anti-billionaire. Pepper Culpepper Pepper Culpepper joins the Democracy Paradox to discuss when populism can strengthen democracy. Drawing on his Journal of Democracy…

  10. Dan Slater Says Authoritarian Ideologies Still Matter

    · 47 min · S2 E20

    We think of World War II as this global democratizing event, but what it really did was strengthen left-wing authoritarianism. Dan Slater Dan Slater is the James Orin Murfin Professor of Political Science and the…

  11. Guillermo Trejo on Accountability, Impunity, and the Fate of New Democracies

    · 58 min · S2 E19

    What happens when the violent state forged under autocracy survives into democracy? Guillermo Trejo In this episode of The Democracy Paradox, Kellogg faculty fellow Guillermo Trejo discusses his new book,…

  12. Kenneth Roberts Says the Left Pays a Steep Price for Breaking with Democracy

    · 47 min · S2 E18

    The left pays a very steep price when they break with democratic norms and procedures. Kenneth Roberts Kenneth Roberts is the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government at Cornell University. He is the coauthor…

  13. Sheri Berman Says the Democratic Recession Was Not a Surprise

    · 51 min · S2 E17

    If democracy wants to regain the upper hand, it has to not only do a better job than the other guys, but in fact, a good job. Sheri Berman This episode features a conversation with political scientist Sheri Berman on…

  14. Christopher Walker Revisits Sharp Power

    · 45 min · S2 E16

    Sharp power seeks to exploit the openness of free societies because their institutions are open. Christopher Walker Christopher Walker, a leading expert on authoritarian influence, returns to the origins of the…

  15. Hugo Drochon Says Elites Are Inevitable

    · 48 min · S2 E15

    I don't think populism is necessarily a challenge to democracy. I think it's part and parcel of it. Hugo Drochon Hugo Drochon joins The Democracy Paradox to explore why elites are an unavoidable part of democracy –…

  16. Milan Svolik Asks: Do Voters Really Support Democracy?

    · 1 h 01 min · S2 E14

    We are badly mismeasuring whether and how much people care about democracy. Milan Svolik In this episode of the Democracy Paradox, host Justin Kempf speaks with political scientist Milan Svolik, the Elizabeth S. & A.…

  17. Minxin Pei Warns China Has Descended into Totalitarianism

    · 54 min · S2 E13

    The paradox of dictatorship is that dictatorships do well when they do not have a genuine dictator. Minxin Pei In this episode of Democracy Paradox, Justin Kempf speaks with China scholar Minxin Pei about his book…

  18. Erica Frantz says Personalist Parties are Democracy's Latest Threat

    · 52 min · S2 E12

    Traditional programmatic parties serve as a critical guardrail for democracy. Erica Frantz In this episode, Justin Kempf speaks with Erica Frantz about her book The Origins of Elected Strongmen and the rise of…

  19. Javier Pérez Sandoval Reveals Democracy’s Hidden Vulnerability: The Hollowing of the State

    · 43 min · S2 E11

    By dismantling certain capacities today, you're making the democratic choices of tomorrow harder. Javier Pérez Sandoval In this episode, Javier Pérez Sandoval discusses his Journal of Democracy essay, coauthored with…

  20. Kate Baldwin Explains Why Christianity Fights for Democracy in Africa

    · 38 min · S2 E10

    The group of people who have an interest in defending liberal democracy might be broader than many academics, and maybe even liberals, would have shown. Kate Baldwin This episode features Yale political scientist…

  21. Natalie Wenzell Letsa Describes the Autocratic Voter

    · 50 min · S2 E9

    You can take a cognitive bias so far down the road that you can live in an objectively very clear dictatorship and sit there and say, 'I live in a democracy.' Natalie Wenzell Letsa In this episode of The Democracy…

  22. Russell Muirhead Warns Ungoverning Threatens Democracy

    · 51 min · S2 E8

    The heart of ungoverning is going after expertise - eradicating expertise - and replacing it with the power of the great ruler. Russ Muirhead Russell Muirhead is the Robert Clements Professor of Democracy and…

  23. Luis Schiumerini on Incumbency Bias

    · 45 min · S2 E7

    Decreasing incumbent capacity and affective polarization are making incumbency salient, but also more of a curse than a blessing. Luis Schiumerini In this episode of The Democracy Paradox, host Justin Kempf speaks…

  24. Adam Przeworski Asks Who Decides What is Democratic

    · 51 min · S2 E6

    The biggest disappointment is that democracies do not reduce social and economic inequality. Adam Przeworski In this episode, host Justin Kempf talks with political scientist Adam Przeworski about what truly defines…

  25. Killian Clarke Warns Counterrevolution is a Threat to Nascent Democracies

    · 52 min · S2 E5

    For democratic revolutions to survive counterrevolution, they have to make certain choices that can undermine the quality of their democracy. Killian Clarke Political scientist Killian Clarke joins The Democracy…

  26. Amel Ahmed Says the Regime Question Has Returned

    · 49 min · S2 E4

    The regime question at its core is about how we should govern ourselves... This is an enduring question that is essential to democratic politics. Amel Ahmed This episode begins with host Justin Kempf and Javier Pérez…

  27. Tom Carothers Says We Misunderstand Democratic Backsliding

    · 53 min · S2 E3

    After an introductory conversation with Kellogg Faculty Fellow Marc Jacob, Democracy Paradox host Justin Kempf explores the dynamics of global democracy with renowned expert Thomas Carothers. Carothers, the director of…

  28. Javier Corrales on Intentional Polarization

    · 51 min · S2 E2

    Javier Corrales, professor of political science at Amherst College, discusses his recent research on democratic backsliding and intentional polarization. The discussion explores how leaders employ extremist policies…

  29. Susan Stokes on Democratic Backsliders

    · 41 min · S2 E1

    In this episode, Justin interviews Susan Stokes, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy. They…

  30. The Last Episode. Elizabeth Saunders on How Democracies Wage War and Make Peace

    · 53 min · S1 E208

    We've often compared democratic national security and autocratic security making in terms of autocratic elites and democratic voters. My argument is not that all democracies are the same, but I do think we ought to be…

  31. When Democracy Breaks: Final Thoughts with Archon Fung, David Moss and Arne Westad

    · 53 min · S1 E207

    I think we've seen democracies can be unstable. Autocracies are even more unstable. David Moss Made in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Get your copy of When Democracy Breaks…

  32. When Democracy Breaks: Scott Mainwaring on Argentina

    · 52 min · S1 E206

    March 24th, 1976 is the coup and it unleashes wild celebrations in establishment Argentina and almost no opposition.... Of course, this unleashed the most ruthless dictatorship in Argentina's history and in recent…

  33. When Democracy Breaks: 1930s Japan with Louise Young

    · 45 min · S1 E205

    There's a fog of democratic breakdown where really you cannot see the actual impact of your choices or your actions until after the fact. Louise Young Made in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance…

  34. When Democracy Breaks: Ancient Athens with Josiah Ober and Federica Carugati

    · 52 min · S1 E204

    What strikes me about that period is that democracy was not inevitable. Federica Carugati Made in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Get your copy of When Democracy Breaks or read…

  35. Alexander Keyssar on Why We Still Have the Electoral College

    · 50 min · S1 E203

    I think that if you got rid of the Electoral College, in the short run, there would be losers. But it hasn't always been the same group and it hasn't always been the same party. Alexander Keyssar Made in partnership…

  36. Robert Kagan on the Threat of Antiliberalism

    · 50 min · S1 E202

    You actually have to fight in every generation, if you want to preserve liberalism. It's not just going to preserve itself. It's not just the end of history. It isn't just the final resting place of humanity - not by…

  37. Rep Mikie Sherrill on Whether the Bipartisan Consensus on Foreign Policy Will Hold and on Threats to American Democracy

    · 33 min · S1 E201

    People in Congress are leaders in their communities and people in some parts of this country are, in my opinion, being led astray. Rep. Mikie Sherrill This episode was made in partnership with the Andrea Mitchell…

  38. Saskia Brechenmacher on Promoting Gender Equality Through Democracy Assistance Aid

    · 56 min · S1 E200

    What does it mean to empower women politically in a context in which the dominant party is engaged in democratic backsliding or other forms of illiberal and exclusionary politics? Would you still want more women to be…

  39. Democracy in a Postmodern Era with Bruce Ackerman

    · 47 min · S1 E199

    We have to reconstruct the foundations of our democracy, building on the past, not repudiating everything we're building on it. Bruce Ackerman Access Episodes Ad-Free on Patreon Make a one-time Donation to Democracy…

  40. Adam Casey on How Military Aid Can Stabilize and Destabilize Foreign Autocrats

    · 52 min · S1 E198

    We thought we were strengthening the militaries in the Cold War. In fact, the political effects of those strengthened militaries ended up leading to a longer-term deterioration and instability. Adam Casey Access…

  41. Disinformation is a Threat to Democracy Says Barbara McQuade

    · 49 min · S1 E197

    We have to care more about truth than tribe. We have to care more about each other than about profit. Barbara McQuade This episode was made in partnership with the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy…

  42. Grading Biden's Foreign Policy with Alexander Ward

    · 53 min · S1 E196

    Whoever you vote for, Biden or Trump at this point, you are voting for a radically different vision of American foreign policy. Alexander Ward Access Episodes Ad-Free on Patreon Make a one-time Donation to Democracy…

  43. Peter Pomerantsev on Winning an Information War

    · 48 min · S1 E195

    All this stuff about half of America just won't listen to this. You're just not trying. You're just not trying. I fear in America people don't try to reach people in echo chambers. Peter Pomerantsev Access Episodes…

  44. Is Democracy Still in Decline? Yana Gorokhovskaia on the Freedom in the World Report

    · 46 min · S1 E194

    Without an elected government, without a government that truly represents... a lot of things are imperiled - rights, democracy, freedom, certainly peace. I think that's another kind of challenge as we go into this year…

  45. When We Misread Dictators... Steve Coll on Saddam Hussein and the American Invasion of Iraq

    · 58 min · S1 E193

    As a writer I had the space to try to humanize him without sanitizing him. That was my mission: to try to see the world from behind his eyes in order to explain his otherwise inexplicable behavior. Steve Coll Access…

  46. Why is the Immigration System Broken? Jonathan Blitzer on How American Foreign Policy in Central America Created a Crisis

    · 55 min · S1 E192

    Written into the DNA of American immigration policy, which we tend to regard as a kind of domestic policy - and which in many ways it is - has to do with US foreign policy. Jonathan Blitzer This episode was made in…

  47. The Surveillance State in China Began With Mao Says Minxin Pei

    · 43 min · S1 E191

    I think a powerful surveillance apparatus will continue to be a major obstacle to the development of democratic forces, but it will not be the decisive factor. Minxin Pei Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for…

  48. After a Coup, Can the Constitutional Order Be Repaired? Adem Abebe on Rebuilding Constitutions in West Africa

    · 55 min · S1 E190

    As democracy promoters, we also need to pay a lot of attention to the material needs of people... When these material needs are not satisfied, people will be more willing to give nondemocratic forms a chance. Adem…

  49. Can Poland Repair its Constitutional Democracy? Tomás Daly Believes it Can

    · 51 min · S1 E189

    Poland will be showing us the endless ingenuity of constitutional thinkers who are genuinely committed to democracy in its many forms. Tomás Daly This episode was made in partnership with the Constitution Building…

  50. Simon Shuster on Zelensky in War and Peace

    · 49 min · S1 E188

    I think his heart is in the right place. I've talked to him about these things. He's very sensitive to the judgment of history. He knows that. Ukraine has been fighting since long before he became president to be an…

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