Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know Is The Constitution Cooked? with Jill Lepore
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Oct 22, 2025 
Jill Lepore, a Harvard historian and author, joins to dissect her book on the U.S. Constitution. They delve into how historical patterns influence today's politics, drawing parallels between the 1930s and now. Lepore highlights the impact of radio on mass persuasion and the significance of in-person debate. The conversation turns to the Constitution's current state, the rise of authoritarian rhetoric, and how technology challenges governance. Discussing figures like Elon Musk, Lepore critiques technocracy's implications for democracy.
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Media's Dual Democratic Potential
- New communication technologies can be used either to fortify democracy or to centralize propaganda.
- 1930s radio shows were deliberately used in the U.S. to promote democratic debate, unlike Germany's top-down propaganda.
The Federal Forum Program
- The Federal Forum Program converted empty public schools into nightly debate halls in the 1930s.
- Locals voted debate topics and attended in person, which strengthened democratic habits.
Choose Words Precisely For Political Decay
- 'Authoritarianism' fits current executive overreach better than the overused label 'fascism.'
- Misusing big terms dilutes their meaning and weakens public clarity about threats to democracy.
