The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: Charles Dunst on Defeating the Dictators
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Mar 23, 2025 Charles Dunst, a former journalist and deputy director of research at The Asia Group, discusses strategies to strengthen democracies in the face of rising authoritarianism. He emphasizes the significance of Singapore as a case study for effective governance while warning against blind admiration for autocratic efficiency. Dunst highlights the importance of investing in public goods and embracing immigration to compete with autocracies. He also explores the interconnectedness of domestic health and foreign policy, stressing that internal challenges can weaken global responses to authoritarian threats.
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International Observations
- Charles Dunst lived in Hungary and Cambodia, observing diverse political systems.
- He noticed declining faith in Western democracy and rising interest in authoritarian models like Singapore.
Singapore's Unique Success
- Singapore's success, despite lacking natural resources, makes it a compelling case study.
- It achieved prosperity by investing heavily in human capital, unlike resource-rich autocracies.
Accountability and Trust
- Lack of accountability among political elites erodes trust in democracies.
- Authoritarian regimes sometimes create a perception of accountability, even if it's selective.
