Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

286: American Authoritarianism with Professor Steven Levitsky

Dec 5, 2024

Steven Levitsky, a Harvard professor and expert on authoritarianism, joins the discussion about the rising threats to democracy. He highlights Trump’s role in undermining the rule of law and the decline of civic education. The conversation dives into global anti-incumbency movements and critiques the judiciary's failure to protect democratic norms. Levitsky also explores how social media might serve as a platform for dissent, alongside a brief look at Colombia's political challenges in an era of shifting global governance.

01:12:24

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Episode guests

Steven Levitsky

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Quick takeaways

Biden's pardon of Hunter Biden raises ethical concerns about nepotism while revealing the complexities of familial loyalty in politics.

The rise of Trumpism threatens American democracy through authoritarian tactics, indicating a shift in governance norms and accountability.

Introducing new leadership within the Democratic Party is crucial for engaging younger voters and effectively countering the challenges posed by Trumpism.

Deep dives

The Impact of Hunter Biden's Pardon

Joe Biden's decision to grant a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, has sparked considerable debate regarding the implications of nepotism in politics. Critics argue that if the roles were reversed, and a Republican president pardoned a family member under similar circumstances, it would be deemed an indefensible act. Despite this skepticism, some commentators suggest that Biden's motivations were rooted in protecting his son from potential political exploitation by rivals, particularly Donald Trump. This decision raises questions about the integrity of the Biden administration and could have lasting repercussions for the Democratic Party's image.

Intro

2min

The Pardon and Its Political Fallout

5min

Biden's Political Landscape and Institutional Integrity

15min

The Essential Need for Informed Journalism

6min

Exploring Authoritarianism and Populism in America

22min

Colombia's Political Landscape: Progress and Challenges

4min

Resistance and Preparedness Against Authoritarianism

4min

Controversy and Consequences

5min

The Intersection of Politics, Food Quality, and Meal Kits

5min

10.

Navigating Political Dynamics and Leadership in Elections

15min

11.

Politics and Celebrations

6min

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial

James and Al debate President Biden’s pardon of Hunter, analyze his legacy, and tear apart Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Then, they welcome democracy scholar and Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky to expose Trump’s threat to the rule of law, lament the decline of civics, examine the basis for the global anti-incumbency wave, and blast our judiciary for failing to defend the system from rising right-wing authoritarianism. They also look at the potential for social media to serve as a safety valve for dissent and explore recent developments in Colombia.

Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

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CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID is streaming on Max! You can also get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content by following James on Twitter @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get More From This Week’s Guest:

Steven Levitsky
NED | Harvard | CFR | Protect Democracy | Author

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Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

286: American Authoritarianism with Professor Steven Levitsky

Episode guests