One month into Trump's second term and his actions, thus far, have been described as chaotic, anarchic, cruel, mercurial, authoritarianian, etc. At minimum, it's clear that Trump is single-mindedly focused on systematically dismantling the very institutions designed to uphold democracy. Our guest this week, Dr. Russell Muirhead, professor of Democracy and Politics at Dartmouth, and co-author of "Ungoverning: The Attack on the Administrative State and the Politics of Chaos" has a word for this to help us understand this concept - this experience. We discuss this disruptive strategy, tracing its dangerous evolution and impact on American democracy, especially during the Trump administration. From the philosophical seeds planted by Reagan to today's political climate, we examine how this shift from small government to outright chaos threatens to erode the societal bonds that hold democracy together.We also examine how ungoverning permeates state politics and even the judiciary. Through the volatile role of the Supreme Court and state resistance, we discuss the increasing polarization and fragmentation of political alliances. Considerations on single-party states illustrate how these political strongholds potentially serve as bastions of resistance or exacerbation of national divides. In this context, Dr. Muirhead provides a critical lens on the intricate relationship between political loyalty and governance – a crucial factor in understanding the current state of American politics.Finally, we talk about the human element of this political upheaval, the shifting attitudes of the American electorate, and the crucial role of public engagement in safeguarding democracy. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Can rising insurance premiums finally make climate change a reality for everyone? And, what does it mean for the world that climate change denier Donald Trump has returned to the American presidency? Jonathan Mingle, journalist and author of "Fire and Ice," joins the podcast to explore the tangible impacts of climate change on everyday life. We discuss the disturbing projections of a world three degrees warmer and the looming crisis of insurability in the U.S. We also examine political challenges and the potential impacts of a second Trump presidency on global climate action, highlighting the stark choices and immediate actions needed to address these issues amidst seeming federal inaction.There is an urgent need to break free from our fossil fuel dependency and rethink our energy, agriculture, and land use systems for a climate-stable future. So, we discuss the current impacts of climate change, such as wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves, which are not just future threats but present realities. Our discussion spans from the tangible effects on regions like New England and Vermont to the broader socio-political implications, including mass migrations, rising nationalism, and xenophobia, drawing parallels with historical events like the Arab Spring.Messaging plays a critical role in the climate change debate, and we examine the challenges of crafting a universally compelling narrative that transcends political divides. Despite widespread support for climate initiatives, political messaging remains contentious, and Jonathan highlights the importance of building coalitions to advance meaningful action. Finally, we highlight the environmental and health impacts of black carbon, the pressing need to rethink democratic structures for better climate outcomes, and the importance of both individual and corporate responsibility in addressing these urgent environmental challenges.-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

What if the United States could peacefully resolve its deep political rifts through secession? Dr. Jason Sorens, a leading expert on secessionism and author of the book Secessionism, joins the pod to discuss the legal, historical, and cultural dimensions of secession in America. The contentious idea has gained renewed interest following Donald Trump's re-election in 2024, and we examine the complexity of secessionist movements from California to Texas to Cascadia and more. Recognizing the confines of the Supreme Court's defining 1869 Texas v. White ruling about the legality of secession, we question whether a breakup might actually bridge the political chasm dividing progressives and conservatives across the nation.We also discuss the dynamics shaping current secession discourse, from the redrawing of state boundaries to the culture clashes within states that complicate these efforts. Drawing comparisons with international movements, such as Greenland's path to greater independence and the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Dr. Sorens provides a nuanced perspective on the potential paths states might consider. We examine the challenges of forming new nations and the delicate balance between self-determination and the cohesion required to sustain a united country.Finally, we dig into the relationship between partisanship and polarization in America, contemplating whether secessionist rhetoric is merely a symptom of deeper societal divides. With examples like Vermont's quest for greater policy autonomy, we consider innovative solutions that focus on self-governance as an alternative to outright separation. Ultimately, our conversation seeks to answer this question: can unity be achieved through separation?-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In this episode, Dr. Sandro Galea - physician, epidemiologist, and author of numerous books including The Turning Point: Reflections on a Pandemic - joins the pod to discuss the hidden physical and mental health costs of political division and harmful policies. We talk about how social polarization affects individual and collective wellbeing, and Dr. Galea shares some strategies for maintaining mental health in an increasingly divided world. This is essential listening for anyone feeling overwhelmed by today's political climate. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Donald Trump's second presidential term is less than a week old and everything already seems to be coming undone. American democracy might be at a breaking point. How did the far-right militia groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers gain influence with the help of government allies, posing a grave threat to national stability? Author and journalist David Neiwert joins the pod, and provides expert insight into the radical right’s impact on our democratic experiment. The controversial pardoning of January 6th insurrectionists signals a disturbing breakdown of the rule of law, potentially paving the way for authoritarianism. As we all grapple with widespread radicalization across the nation, we discuss the historical connections between American elements of fascism, focusing on how these ideologies have been fanned into flames by Trump's rise, and how emboldened far-right militia groups might be America's undoing.Recommended:The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right's Assault on American DemocracyAlt-America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In this special episode of Deep Dive on this Trump Inauguration Day, we revisit the final episode of our limited series "After America" and ask - how does a nation rebuild itself after falling under authoritarian rule? In the series finale of After America, we take you through the harrowing aftermath of an imagined Trump's second presidential term, where democratic institutions were eroded, civil liberties dismantled, and marginalized communities oppressed. We examine the monumental task of transitioning back to democracy and preventing future authoritarian takeovers. We imagine how this era of expanded executive control would eventually collapse under its own corruption and the public’s rising discontent. And, we shed light on how transitional justice mechanisms, such as truth commissions and criminal trials, can pave the way for a reconciled and democratic future.But history has its lessons, and so we remember the failures of post-Civil War America, where the lack of transitional justice led to systemic racism and political polarization we're still grappling with today. So, we discuss the necessity of truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reforms to transitional justice and the establishment of an enduring and healthy democracy. And, we close by emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive efforts to safeguard democracy against erosion, underscoring the need for systemic reforms and citizen engagement to ensure a resilient democratic future.Guests: Dr. David Faris, Dr. Monika Nalepa, Dr. Alastair Smith, and Stephen Marche. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In this episode of Deep Dive, we examine the growing educational divide driving polarization in American politics and its implications for democracy. Dr. David Hopkins, co-author of the book Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics, joins the pod to explain how college attainment correlates with political alignment and explores cultural factors contributing to this complex landscape. We dig into:• how the diploma divide influences voter behavior and party affiliation;• if/how higher education shapes cultural and political identities; • how populism connects with working-class cultural concerns; • the fact that urban areas lean Democratic; rural areas gravitate towards  Republicans;• the perceived liberal bias in academia fuels skepticism among conservatives;  and • how/why dialogue and empathy are vital for bridging educational divides.-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Lainey Newman, co-author of Rust Belt Union Blues, joins the pod to shed light on how deindustrialization and globalization have weakened organized labor, particularly in regions like the Rust Belt. We discuss how these changes have left a void filled by conservative organizations and cultural movements, leading to a significant realignment of working-class voters towards the Republican Party. Lainey traces the peak of union influence in the 1950s to its gradual decline from the 1970s onward. We discuss the evolving relationship between unions and political parties, examining how cultural and identity-based issues have impacted voting behaviors and party alignments. From the friction within the Democratic Party's coalition over cultural issues to the unintended consequences of political strategies - were these dynamics inevitable or could have been foreseen and mitigated?From the fallout of not bailing out the steel industry in the 1970s to the perceived cultural and ideological challenges associated with figures like Kamala Harris, we discuss the long-term implications of these decisions on union and working class voters, and what the Democratic Party needs to do to win these voters back.-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

We all, conservatives and progressives, are liberals. And, we are living liberal lives. Dr. Alexandre Lefebvre, a renowned professor of politics and philosophy, and author of the book Liberalism as a Way of Life, joins the pod to explain the complex and often misunderstood concept of liberalism, and how liberalism is more than just a political label—it is a framework built on the values of individual freedom, equality, and fairness that influences our daily interactions and societal norms. We also discuss the ideological rifts that characterize modern political coalitions, and the critical role of internal criticism in achieving a more equitable society and delves into the philosophical challenges that echo Kierkegaard's critique of Christendom, placing a spotlight on contemporary issues of inequality and moral inconsistency.Finally, we examine how liberalism might be under threat in the United States - and globally. We talk about the influence of reality TV and social media on societal empathy and How these elements contribute to a politics of resentment and reduced empathy. We dig into the ways in which liberalism is reflected in cultural shifts and language evolution. And, we consider whether liberalism, with its deeply ingrained nature, could be a subconscious safeguard of our way of life - and where it might be vulnerable. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

It's the end of the year, and that means our annual State of the Union episode is here! In this episode, I'm joined by judicial scholar Dr. Sara Benesh, historian and expert on the fall of Rome, Dr. Edward Watts, and scholar of political violence, Dr. James Hawdon. We draw striking parallels between Rome's transition from a republic to an autocracy and the current state of American politics, and we discuss the erosion of institutional integrity, the rise of political violence, and the unsettling warning sign found in events like the January 6th Capitol attack. We question whether America's democratic foundations might be at risk of crumbling under similar pressures of corruption and strongman politics.As Donald Trump makes his return to the presidency, the dynamics of the U.S. Supreme Court face intense scrutiny. So, we discuss how the current Court might behave under a second Trump presidency, and how the Court's legitimacy may further erode amidst mounting partisan divides. Historical unpredictability among justices is a focal point, as we examine how their decisions could serve as both checks on presidential power and potential avenues for self-aggrandizement. The stakes are raised by provocative statements from Trump's vice president, J.D. Vance, about ignoring Supreme Court decisions, posing a significant challenge to the court's future authority.The path forward for American democracy is fraught with challenges. Our discussion underscores the collective responsibility to defend democratic institutions, emphasizing that this duty extends beyond judges and politicians to each and every citizen. With the world watching, we weigh the potential consequences of ignoring warning signs of political decay, urging listeners to consider their stance in this pivotal moment. How will history judge our actions during this critical time for democracy?-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock