Murat Somer
Political scientist and co-author on pathways of democratic backsliding; explains distinct pathways (legislative capture, executive aggrandizement, plebiscitary override, elite collusion) and strategic responses.
Best podcasts with Murat Somer
Ranked by the Snipd community
Oct 28, 2025 • 42min
Democratic Dialogues: Pathways of Democratic Backsliding, Resistance, and (Partial) Recoveries
Kenneth Roberts, a comparative political scientist, and Jennifer McCoy, a scholar of polarization, along with political scientist Murat Somer, delve into the complexities of democratic backsliding. They discuss how democracies erode through various pathways and the importance of institutional and societal resistance. Key topics include the role of civil society in pushing back against autocracy, strategies for building inclusive coalitions, and the impacts of pernicious polarization. Their insights spotlight not only the challenges but also the potential for recovery in imperfect democracies.
Oct 28, 2025 • 42min
Democratic Dialogues: Pathways of Democratic Backsliding, Resistance, and (Partial) Recoveries
Kenneth Roberts, a comparative politics scholar, discusses the nuances of democratic backsliding and the importance of institutional and societal resistance. Jennifer McCoy explores pernicious polarization and the necessity of coalition-building for effective democratic defense. Murat Somer outlines distinct pathways of backsliding, such as legislative capture and executive aggrandizement, underlining the need for tailored resistance strategies. Together, they emphasize the significance of awareness and community rebuilding to strengthen democracy in the face of challenges.
