Offline with Jon Favreau What Comes After Trump?
19 snips
Dec 20, 2025 
George Packer, an acclaimed author and journalist known for his insightful work on American politics, explores the complexities of contemporary democracy. He discusses 21st-century authoritarianism and how many people remain unaware of its creep due to institutional distance. The conversation dives into how economics influence political messages and critiques social media's role in polarizing discourse. Packer raises concerns about AI fostering social fragmentation and debates the future of democracy in the face of rising national conservatism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Authoritarianism With A Thin Democratic Veneer
- George Packer argues the US shows 21st-century authoritarian traits despite lacking 20th-century brutality.
- He points to erosion of Congress, Justice Department, military neutrality, courts, and public mobilization as signs.
Campaign On Material Improvements
- Focus campaigns on people's immediate material concerns like affordability, healthcare, and cost of living.
- Translate abstract warnings about democracy into concrete policies that improve daily life to persuade voters.
Three Drivers That Made America Vulnerable
- Packer traces susceptibility to authoritarianism to economic dislocation, cultural change, and social media.
- He links deindustrialization, rapid cultural shifts, and algorithmic amplification as the three driving forces.