Democracy Now! Audio

Democracy Now! 2025-11-25 Tuesday

Nov 25, 2025
Anand Giridharadas, a critic of elite power dynamics, delves into the Epstein files, revealing how the wealthy manipulate social networks while survivors emerge as true leaders. Alexander Avina, a Latin American historian, discusses the dire implications of U.S. military pressure on Venezuela, cautioning against the repeat of past interventions. Angela Mendes, daughter of Amazon activist Chico Mendes, shares her father's legacy while advocating for environmental defense amid ongoing threats from agribusiness and mining in the Amazon, highlighting the power of youth activism.
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INSIGHT

Elite Network Built To Look Away

  • Anand Giridharadas argues Epstein's network was chosen because elites could reliably look away from abuse and suffering.
  • That habit of indifference extends beyond Epstein to how the powerful treat economic and social harms.
INSIGHT

Borderless Loyalty Fuels Elite Power

  • Giridharadas highlights elites' loyalties run sideways to each other, not downward to communities.
  • That borderless loyalty enables connectors like Epstein to trade favors and non-public information across power circles.
INSIGHT

Epstein As Information Broker

  • The emails show Epstein functioned as a convener for non-public information and favors valuable to investors and academics.
  • That information-barter role explains why high-status figures tolerated his presence despite his crimes.
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