The Gray Area with Sean Illing RBG, minority rule, and our looming legitimacy crisis
Sep 24, 2020
Suzanne Mettler, John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions at Cornell University, dives deep into the challenges facing American democracy after Ruth Bader Ginsburg's passing. She discusses how this momentous event threatens judicial legitimacy and exacerbates political polarization. Mettler outlines four major threats to democracy: political polarization, democratic exclusion, economic inequality, and executive power, warning that they are all present simultaneously. The conversation also touches on the fragile nature of democracy and historical parallels that shed light on current vulnerabilities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ginsburg's Death and Political Crisis
- Ginsburg's death is a political crisis, possibly jeopardizing the Supreme Court's legitimacy.
- This situation creates a potential crisis where a Trump appointee could decide a contested election.
McConnell's Influence on Democrats
- McConnell's actions force Democrats to consider abolishing the filibuster and granting statehood to DC and Puerto Rico.
- This confrontation may be necessary for democratic renewal.
Multi-Ethnic Democracy vs. Minority Rule
- America faces a critical decision: becoming a multi-ethnic democracy or having a minority coalition change the rules.
- This confrontation exposes how power can be held by manipulating the system rather than winning over people.
