GZERO World with Ian Bremmer
America vs itself: Political scientist Francis Fukuyama on the state of democracy
Jan 13, 2024
Political scientist Francis Fukuyama joins Ian Bremmer to discuss the state of democracy globally and in the US, highlighting the decline of democracy, authoritarianism, and corruption. They examine specific case studies like Hungary, Turkey, and El Salvador. They also explore threats to democracy in the US, including weakening political will and dangers of Trump's loyalists. The lack of internal crisis in the US and the complacency of Republicans after the January 6th events are concerns. Guardrails are necessary to protect democracy.
27:27
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Quick takeaways
- The decline of democracy globally and the rise of authoritarianism are major threats, with countries like Russia and China exploiting weaknesses in democracies and manipulating elections.
- The United States faces potential threats to democracy, including the undermining of democratic institutions, disregard for court rulings, and the possibility of using the military to suppress protests.
Deep dives
Global Decline of Democracy
The podcast episode discusses the decline of democracy globally and the rise of authoritarianism in many countries, citing the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, which states that half of the world's countries are experiencing democratic decline. The episode highlights the success of authoritarian great powers like Russia and China, while pointing out that democracies have often failed to deliver on economic growth, citizen security, and combating corruption. Examples such as Hungary and Turkey are mentioned as countries that have slipped into authoritarianism by manipulating elections, controlling the media, and compromising the rule of law.
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