The Dispatch Podcast
How Democracies Fall and Rise | Interview: Larry Diamond
Apr 21, 2025
In this discussion, sociologist Larry Diamond, a Senior Fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, dives into the troubling dynamics of American democracy. He highlights signs of a democratic crisis, focusing on the weaponization of government and the impact of Trump's leadership style on democratic norms. Diamond contrasts Trump's early days with his current trajectory, stressing the dangers of political violence seen during January 6th. He calls for vigilance against authoritarianism, urging lawmakers to protect democratic values as we move toward pivotal elections.
41:33
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Quick takeaways
- Democracies can decline gradually through subtle authoritarian practices rather than through immediate, violent takeovers, highlighting the urgency for vigilance.
- The podcast underscores the complex dynamics of Trump's influence on American democracy, reflecting broader authoritarian trends beyond just his individual actions.
Deep dives
Patterns of Democracy's Rise and Fall
The podcast emphasizes that the emergence and demise of democracies occur through various patterns. Democracies can rise rapidly through revolution or evolve gradually through leadership that recognizes the need to transfer power. Similarly, the fall of democracies can happen suddenly via military coups or slowly through incremental authoritarian measures. It is noted that many recent democratic failures have occurred through gradual erosion rather than overtly violent seizures of power, referred to as the 'Autocrats 12-step program.'
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