This is Democracy

Expert on British elections, William James, discusses recent UK elections, Brexit impact, Keir Starmer's leadership, UK's foreign policy post-Brexit, UK's relations with US, China, and global alliances. Reflects on British culture, politics, and Anglo-American relationship.

Law professor Steve Vladeck discusses the Supreme Court's impact on society and democracy, reflecting on recent decisions and the consequences of political distrust. Analysis of Chief Justice Roberts' behavior and a ruling on presidential immunity raise concerns about the court's future direction. The evolution of judicial restraint and activism is explored, along with challenges to the court's credibility and potential reforms.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Kenneth Greene to discuss the recent June elections in Mexico, and how they reflect the current state of democracy in Mexico and beyond. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Across the Moat." Kenneth Greene is Associate Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on democratization, political parties, and voting behavior, as well as Mexico’s politics. He is the author of: Why Dominant Parties Lose: Mexico’s Democratization in Comparative Perspective.

Isabel Cademartori, a German Bundestag member, discusses European democracy, shifts in election campaigns, rise of extreme right youth support in Europe, and finding hope in challenging times. The episode highlights resilience in democracy, citizen engagement, and global coexistence.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. John W. Hall to discuss the D-Day landing during World War II, and what lessons can be learned from its legacy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "In Leipzig on D-Day." John W. Hall is a professor and holder of the Ambrose-Hesseltine Chair in U.S. Military History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He served fifteen years as an active-duty infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He also served as a historian to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the author of Uncommon Defense: Indian Allies in the Black Hawk War and numerous essays on American warfare.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Marc-William Palen to discuss the history of free trade and associated hopes for international peace. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A World at Sail" Marc-William Palen is a historian at the University of Exeter. His new book, Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World (Princeton University Press), was published in early 2024 and has been named among the year's "best books" by the New Yorker. His other publications include The '"Conspiracy" of Free Trade: The Anglo-American Struggle over Empire and Economic Globalisation, 1846-1896 (Cambridge University Press, 2016). His work has also appeared in Le Monde, Time Magazine, the Washington Post, the Australian, and the New York Times.

Sheena Chestnut Greitens, an expert on China's political landscape, discusses the complexities of US-China relations, Xi Jinping's security focus, Taiwan's future, and the evolving dynamics between the two nations. The conversation highlights the historical connections, cultural clashes, and strategic implications in the global arena.

On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the ongoing university protests across the nation, specifically focusing on the demonstrations at Yale and UT Austin and their impacts on the surrounding environment. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "For Lisa."

On this episode of This is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Art Markman to discuss the growing epidemic of political disillusionment and despair in modern society, and what can be done about it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Pessimist's Apocalypse" Dr. Art Markman is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas. Dr. Markman has published more than 150 scholarly works about cognitive science, decision-making and organizational behavior. Dr. Markman has written several books including: Smart Thinking; Smart Change; Bring Your Brain to Work. Dr. Markman also co-hosts “Two Guys on Your Head,” a radio show and podcast on KUT public radio, where he and Dr. Bob Duke explore the human mind with a unique mix of research, humor and everyday relevance. 

On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Milan Vaishnav to discuss the scale and future impact of India's 2024 general election. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Democratic Quest" Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Dr. Vaishnav is the author of: When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics (2017),  which was awarded the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay New India Foundation book prize for the best non-fiction book on contemporary India published in 2017.  Dr. Vaishnav is also the host of “Grand Tamasha” -- a weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced by Carnegie and the Hindustan Times.