In this episode, I talk to  Dr. Javier Corrales, professor of Political Science at Amherst College. Dr. Corrales' research focuses on democratization, democratic backsliding, populism, foreign policies, and sexuality. He has also published extensively on Latin America and the Caribbean.

We talk about all of these things – advancement of queer rights in Latin America, why these countries seem to be liberalizing in this area when other regions of the world are experiencing significant contractions on queer rights, which characteristics of Latin American societies and politics influence liberalization on queer rights, what makes Cuba unique on this issue and in this region, the role that religion plays in queer rights advancement and contraction, what signs indicate democratic backsliding, and if we in the United States are still vulnerable to the rise of authoritarianism.
 
And, I also discuss the profound influence that Sinead O'Connor had on my social and political development. RIP.

Recommended:
Telltale Signs of Democratic Backsliding - Javier Corrales

The Politics of LGBTQ Rights Expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean – Javier Corrales

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Majestic Earth - Joystock