Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

Resisting The Right-Wing Attack on Democracy with Ari Berman

May 14, 2024

Author and national voting rights correspondent Ari Berman discusses his book 'Minority Rule' with Chris Hayes, exploring the right-wing's assault on democracy, flaws in the U.S. Constitution's founding era, John Calhoun's legacy of white supremacy, and challenges to democracy including voter suppression and gerrymandering.

59:43

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Episode guests

Ari Berman

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The tension in American history between democratic commitments and beliefs favoring minority rule has persisted, impacting moments of progress and regression.

James Madison's struggle with protecting minority rights while upholding majority rule at the Constitutional Convention highlights his significant intellectual contributions.

The podcast explores John C. Calhoun's advocacy for minority rule rooted in white supremacy, shaping the ideological landscape leading to the Civil War.

Deep dives

Analysis of American History Tension

The podcast delves into the tension in American history between democratic commitments and beliefs favoring minority rule, citing examples from the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It highlights how this tension has persisted throughout American history, showing moments of progress and regression.

Introduction

2min

The Tension Between Democracy and Hierarchy in American History

22min

Exploring Flaws in the Founding Era and Their Impact on Democracy

3min

John Calhoun's Legacy of White Supremacy

8min

Examining Historical and Contemporary Anti-Democratic Trends in the U.S.

5min

Challenges to Democracy and the Role of the Supreme Court

21min

Resisting Right-Wing Attacks on Democracy

2min

This week, we’re sharing a recording of an event hosted at the Center for Brooklyn History where Chris interviewed author Ari Berman. Berman is the national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones and has written numerous books including his latest, “Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It,” which is the subject of this conversation. They discuss parallels between founding fathers’ ideologies and contemporary figures, threats to our democracy and the movement to counter regressive efforts.

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