State of the Union: 2024 (w/ Drs. Sara Benesh, Edward Watts, & James Hawdon)

It's the end of the year, and that means our annual State of the Union episode is here! In this episode, I'm joined by judicial scholar Dr. Sara Benesh, historian and expert on the fall of Rome, Dr. Edward Watts, and scholar of political violence, Dr. James Hawdon. We draw striking parallels between Rome's transition from a republic to an autocracy and the current state of American politics, and we discuss the erosion of institutional integrity, the rise of political violence, and the unsettling warning sign found in events like the January 6th Capitol attack. We question whether America's democratic foundations might be at risk of crumbling under similar pressures of corruption and strongman politics.

As Donald Trump makes his return to the presidency, the dynamics of the U.S. Supreme Court face intense scrutiny. So, we discuss how the current Court might behave under a second Trump presidency, and how the Court's legitimacy may further erode amidst mounting partisan divides. Historical unpredictability among justices is a focal point, as we examine how their decisions could serve as both checks on presidential power and potential avenues for self-aggrandizement. The stakes are raised by provocative statements from Trump's vice president, J.D. Vance, about ignoring Supreme Court decisions, posing a significant challenge to the court's future authority.

The path forward for American democracy is fraught with challenges. Our discussion underscores the collective responsibility to defend democratic institutions, emphasizing that this duty extends beyond judges and politicians to each and every citizen. With the world watching, we weigh the potential consequences of ignoring warning signs of political decay, urging listeners to consider their stance in this pivotal moment. How will history judge our actions during this critical time for democracy?

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