Ben Ansell

Ben Ansell, a political scientist at Nuffield College, delves into the intriguing concepts of FAFO and its counterpart FADFO, dissecting how reckless policies often go unpunished—think Brexit and defunding police. He argues that liberal democracies create buffers that delay consequences, which populists exploit. The discussion also critiques the value of Western education for global leadership and questions the cultural impact of admitting international students from China into American universities.

Ben Ansell, a Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at Oxford University, brings his expertise on democracy to the discussion. He explores the evolution of misinformation in elections, highlighting the dangerous role of deepfakes and AI. Ansell examines the erosion of democracy, emphasizing the connection between conspiracy theories and public distrust, particularly after January 6th. The conversation also delves into AI's implications for electoral integrity and the importance of empathy in addressing extreme beliefs, all while reflecting on the quest for truth in today's polarized landscape.