Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library, teams up with Timothy Naftali, a senior research scholar at Columbia University, to explore the fragility of American democracy. They discuss Trump's authoritarian tendencies and draw historical parallels, emphasizing the importance of civic responsibility. The conversation highlights how past presidencies shape current political dynamics and warns against complacency in safeguarding democratic norms. Their insights reveal the delicate balance between power, accountability, and the potential rise of authoritarianism.
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insights INSIGHT
Surprising Voter Turnout
Lindsay expresses shock that more people voted for Trump in 2020 despite knowing his character. This indicates a troubling acceptance of his cruelty by significant portions of the electorate.
insights INSIGHT
Normalization of Trump
Tim reflects on how Trump's normalization signifies deeper issues within the electorate. His viability as a candidate reveals troubling aspects of American society.
insights INSIGHT
Historical Parallels
Lindsay highlights parallels between the 1790s and today, including political violence and contested elections. This history illustrates the fragility of democracy.
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John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic
Lindsay M Chervinsky
This book is an authoritative exploration of the second US presidency, a period critical to the survival of the American republic. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Lindsay Chervinsky illustrates the unique challenges faced by John Adams and shows how he shaped the office for his successors. Adams, one of the most qualified presidents in American history, had been a legislator, political theorist, diplomat, minister, and vice president but had never held an executive position. He relied on his ideas about executive power, the Constitution, politics, and the state of the world to navigate the hurdles of the position. Adams defended the presidency from his own often obstructionist cabinet, protected the nation from foreign attacks, and forged trust and dedication to election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power between parties, even though it cost him his political future.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has won a resounding victory against Vice President Kamala Harris, and now, the man who promised political retribution and said he may use the military to go after “the enemy within” is headed back to the White House. Only this time, there will be no guardrails — only enablers. In order to understand the threat Trump poses to our democracy, Kara talks to two historians who know a lot about the birth of American democracy and the last time we came close to losing it: Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Dr. Timothy Naftali.
Chervinsky is a presidential historian and the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library. Her newest book isMaking the Presidency, John Adams and the Precedents that Forged the Republic. Naftali is a senior research scholar in the Faculty of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and the former director of the federal Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram/TikTok as @onwithkaraswisher
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