Ian Bassin, MacArthur 'genius grant' recipient, discusses threats to American democracy and the importance of Protect Democracy's work. Topics include Sidney Powell's plea deal, fighting disinformation, protecting election workers, and efforts to prevent election crises.
Protect Democracy focuses on using incremental legal measures to protect election workers and combat disinformation.
The episode emphasizes the importance of bipartisan efforts to reform election laws and fight conspiracy theories.
Deep dives
The Threat to Democracy
The podcast episode explores the current state of democracy, highlighting the challenges faced by representatives and election officials in a climate of fear and violence. It emphasizes the importance of protecting democratic values and the need to focus on preserving democracy. The guest, Ian Bassen, co-founder and executive director of Protect Democracy, explains the mandate of his organization and how they work to protect the democratic nature of the government. He discusses the increasing threat of authoritarianism and the need to resist it. Bassen also discusses the efforts they are making, including litigation and legislative actions, to combat disinformation and hold false accusers accountable. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of staying vigilant in defending democracy and the hope for positive change.
The Role of Protect Democracy
Ian Bassen, the guest on the podcast, talks about the work of Protect Democracy, a cross-ideological organization focused on protecting the foundational elements of democracy. He explains how they utilize different tools, such as litigation, legislation, research, and technology to strengthen democratic institutions. Bassen shares specific examples, like their cases against conspiracy theorists and defamation lawsuits to combat disinformation. He highlights the effectiveness of these legal actions in addressing disinformation and creating a deterrent. The episode emphasizes the importance of applying existing legal regimes to hold people accountable for spreading false information and protecting the integrity of democracy.
Protecting Elections and Countering Authoritarianism
The episode discusses the vulnerabilities of elections and the efforts made to address them. It mentions the Electoral Count Reform Act, enacted to update an old law that posed risks to the legitimacy of election outcomes. The guest emphasizes the importance of bipartisan efforts to reform election laws and fight conspiracy theories. He discusses the risks of a non-functioning House of Representatives and the need for unity in protecting democracy. The episode also highlights the threat posed by Donald Trump, noting his dominance in the GOP primary and his potential return to the presidency. It emphasizes the dangers of authoritarianism and the need to resist it.
Finding Hope Amidst the Crisis
The episode ends on a positive note, highlighting that the current crisis may present opportunities for positive change. It encourages individuals to engage with those who hold differing views, seeking understanding and common ground. The guest emphasizes the importance of fostering habits of the heart and bridging divides in order to strengthen democracy. The episode concludes with the idea that overcoming fear, anxiety, and division can lead to the realization of a more inclusive and equitable democracy.
As MAGA Republicans engage in extremist arm wrestling in the House Speaker race, and the sins of the 2020 election subversion scheme catch up with Donald Trump’s closest allies, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by brand new MacArthur “genius grant” recipient Ian Bassin of Protect Democracy to take a look at the stakes of this moment for American democracy. An attempt to walk and chew gum at the same time, Protect Democracy’s work focuses on the incremental ways the law can be applied to protect election workers and inhibit disinformation, while also looking to the big constitutional and cultural questions we have to answer if we’re going to reject authoritarianism.
