

How Did Our Democracy Get so Fragile?
7 snips Dec 5, 2023
Jelani Cobb, Evan Osnos, and Jill Lepore discuss the fragility of American democracy, touching on the historical foundation of the country and the impact of politically biased interpretations of the past. They also explore the disengagement of citizens from the political system, reflecting on the Capitol insurrection and the challenges ahead for democracy. The conversation includes comparisons between different eras of American history, the undemendability of the Constitution, and the counter-majoritarian nature of American democracy.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
The Meaning of Democracy
02:00 • 12min
Reflections on the Insurrection and the Fragility of Democracy
13:58 • 2min
The Fragility of Democracy and the Challenges Ahead
15:59 • 8min
The Counter-Majoritarian Nature of American Democracy and the Challenges of Amending the Constitution
23:42 • 2min
Infrastructure Lessons: Learning from New York City
26:00 • 2min