FT News Briefing Martin Wolf and Fiona Hill on democracy’s year of peril
7 snips
Jun 23, 2024 
Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former foreign policy advisor to three U.S. presidents, joins Martin Wolf for a compelling discussion on the state of democracy. They explore the troubling rise of populism and autocratic leaders globally. Hill draws striking parallels between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, while criticizing Congress's dysfunction. She warns against complacency even if Biden wins, stressing the fragility of democratic institutions and the geopolitical implications for a potential second Trump presidency.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Yeltsin's Power Grab
- In 1993, Boris Yeltsin shelled the Russian Parliament building amid constitutional debates.
- This act solidified Yeltsin's power and paved the way for Putin's authoritarian rise.
Twin Threats to Democracy
- Both Yeltsin and Trump eroded checks and balances to consolidate power.
- These actions represent twin threats to democracy in Russia and the US.
Democracy's Resilience
- The rise of strongmen globally challenges democracy, but doesn't guarantee its defeat.
- Unexpected outcomes, like in Turkey's elections, demonstrate democracy's resilience.
