
Democracy Paradox
Is it possible for a democracy to govern undemocratically? Can the people elect an undemocratic leader? Is it possible for democracy to bring about authoritarianism? And if so, what does this say about democracy? My name is Justin Kempf. Every week I talk to the brightest minds on subjects like international relations, political theory, and history to explore democracy from every conceivable angle. Topics like civil resistance, authoritarian successor parties, and the autocratic middle class challenge our ideas about democracy. Join me as we unravel new topics every week.
Latest episodes

May 10, 2022 • 52min
Ronald Deibert from Citizen Lab on Cyber Surveillance, Digital Subversion, and Transnational Repression
So, if your aim is to get inside someone's device without their permission and gather up information, you could do that using a very sophisticated commercial spyware technology like Pegasus. The latest iteration of it employs zero click technology meaning that it can target and insert itself on any device without the owner of that device even knowing or being tricked into clicking on a link. That's very powerful, because there is no defense against it.Ronald DeibertA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Ronald Deibert is a professor of political science at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Citizen Lab. He recently gave the 18th annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture at the National Endowment for Democracy. Its title was “Digital Subversion: The Threat to Democracy.” His article, “Subversion Inc: The Age of Private Espionage” in the most recent Journal of Democracy is based on this lecture.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsHow Black Cube tried to infiltrate Citizen LabHow autocrats continue to repress political dissidents overseasThe privatization of espionage and spycraftThe link between surveillance capitalism and private espionageWhat liberal democracies can do to defend civil societyKey LinksCitizen LabSeymour Martin Lipset Lecture "Digital Subversion: The Threat to Democracy" by Ronald Deibert"Subversion Inc: The Age of Private Espionage" by Ronald Deibert in Journal of DemocracyDemocracy Paradox PodcastCan Democracy Survive the Internet? Nate Persily and Josh Tucker on Social Media and DemocracyWinston Mano on Social Media and Politics in Africa… And what America can Learn from Africa about DemocracyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

May 3, 2022 • 32min
Thomas Piketty on Equality
Pure economic factors or technological factors or the level of economic development or level of technological development cannot explain the diversity of levels of inequality and structure of inequality that we observe throughout history.Thomas PikettyA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Thomas Piketty is Professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Paris School of Economics and Codirector of the World Inequality Lab. He is also the author of A Brief History of Equality.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsThe Case for Reparations for HaitiAn Account of the Historical Movement Toward Greater EqualityEconomic Inequality as a Political ConstructionShould Economic Equality be the Goal of the State?Is Thomas Piketty Optimistic for the Future?Key LinksA Brief History of Equality by Thomas PikettyCapital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas PikettyFollow Thomas Piketty on Twitter @PikettyLeMondeDemocracy Paradox PodcastJoseph Fishkin on the Constitution, American History, and Economic InequalityJacob Hacker and Paul Pierson on the Plutocratic Populism of the Republican PartyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Apr 26, 2022 • 54min
Marta Dyczok and Andriy Kulykov on the Media, Information Warriors, and the Future of Ukraine
I heard a verified story of a person who made his way with his family from an occupied town listening to our broadcast, because we were telling them where it was dangerous for them to go and where it was more or less safe to go. So, radio actually saves lives. I probably cannot save lives otherwise. But I can with the help of radio.Andriy KulykovRecorded on April 19th, 2022.A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Marta Dyczok is an Associate Professor at the Departments of History and Political Science, Western University, Canada. She was the host of the podcast Ukraine Calling. Andriy Kulykov is co-founder and Chairperson of Hromadske Radio.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsA Short History of Hromadske RadioDo Journalists in Ukraine Consider Themselves Information WarriorsThe Importance of Media Literacy in a WarHow Radio Can Saved Lives in UkraineAndriy's Thoughts on Ukrainian IdentityKey LinksUkraine Calling: A Kaleidoscope from Hromadske Radio 2016–2019 edited by Marta DyczokListen to the Ukraine Calling PodcastLearn more about Hromadske RadioDemocracy Paradox PodcastBetween Russia and China: Anja Mihr on Central AsiaJoshua Yaffa on Truth, Ambition, and Compromise in Putin’s RussiaMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Apr 19, 2022 • 51min
Yascha Mounk on the Great Experiment of Diverse Democracies
So, there's actually something about the basic mechanism of democracy that does make it harder to sustain diversity. In other ways, the principles of liberal democracy are the right solution. And so, obviously my vision for the future is that of a diverse democracy. But we shouldn't be at ease about the ways in which democracy can sometimes inflame ethnic and religious tensions as well.Yascha MounkA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Yascha Mounk is a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University and the founder of Persuasion. Mounk is also a contributing editor at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the author of The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsIs a diverse democracy more democraticChallenges for diverse democraciesYascha's vision for diverse societiesThe most dangerous idea in American PoliticsIs it more difficult for diverse ideas to flourish?Key LinksThe Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure by Yascha MounkRead more from Yascha Mounk at PersuassionFollow Yascha Mounk @Yascha_MounkDemocracy Paradox PodcastElisabeth Ivarsflaten and Paul Sniderman on Inclusion and Respect of Muslim MinoritiesSara Wallace Goodman on Citizen Responses to Democratic ThreatsMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Apr 12, 2022 • 51min
Mark Beissinger on Contemporary Urban Civic Revolutions
I think the revolutionary process has become somewhat less consequential in some ways. The ability to bring about substantive change in the wake of revolution has deteriorated for one thing. We've gained certain things as well. I mean, revolutions are no longer as violent as they once were. They're more frequent than they once were, almost more normal in terms of being part of the political landscape in a way that they were not in the past.Mark BeissingerA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Mark Beissinger is a professor of politics at Princeton University and the author of the new book The Revolutionary City: Urbanization and the Global Transformation of Rebellion.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsAn Account of the Orange Revolution in UkraineDescription of Urban Civic RevolutionsWhy are Revolutions more Successful than in the Past?Why are Revolutions Less Violent?How do Revolutions Continue to Change?Key LinksThe Revolutionary City: Urbanization and the Global Transformation of Rebellion by Mark BeissingerLearn more about Mark Beissinger at Princeton UniversityLearn more about Mark Beissinger at WikipediaDemocracy Paradox PodcastErica Chenoweth on Civil ResistanceGeorge Lawson on RevolutionMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Apr 5, 2022 • 59min
Craig Whitlock on the Lessons Learned in Afghanistan
It's still shocking to me to read a lot of these documents and interviews in, The Afghanistan Papers, things that most people would think are obvious. What's the plan to end the war? What benchmarks do we have to achieve so that we know we can leave? You know, none of those things were thought out or articulated.Craig WhitlockA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Craig Whitlock is an investigative reporter at The Washington Post and the author of The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsWhen did the War in Afghanistan Go WrongThe Lies and Deception in Communications on the WarDifferences in the Approach to the War Between Bush and ObamaFailures to Provide a Long-Term Political SolutionLessons for Involvement in Ukraine and Beyond Key LinksThe Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War by Craig WhitlockAfghanistan Papers Document Database at The Washington Post"At War With Truth" by Craig WhitlockDemocracy Paradox PodcastJennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia Murtazashvili on Afghanistan, Local Institutions, and Self-GovernanceKaren Greenberg on the War on Terror, Donald Trump, and American DemocracyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Mar 29, 2022 • 47min
Miles Rapoport on How We Can Achieve Universal Voting
I have worked on voting issues for 35 years, for same-day registration and for opening up the process to younger people and preregistration, and, you know, nevertheless 35 years later we're still at 60 and 65%. 2020 was the highest turnout election ever and it was at 66%. So, I started to think what is it that could really, really move the needle and change the game.Miles RapoportA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com or a short review of 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting here.Miles Rapoport is also the Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School. He formerly served as secretary of the state of Connecticut. He is the coauthor of the book 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting with E.J. Dionne.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsWhat is Civic Duty Voting?Why Should We Require Citizens to Vote?Is Voting a Right or a Duty?Australia's System of Civic Duty VotingHow Would it Change How Citizens Think About Themselves?Key Links100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting by Miles Rapoport and E.J. DionneLearn about Miles Rapoport at Harvard UniversityLift Every Voice: The Urgency of Universal Civic Duty Voting Democracy Paradox PodcastShari Davis Elevates Participatory BudgetingLee Drutman Makes the Case for Multiparty Democracy in AmericaMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Mar 22, 2022 • 53min
Between Russia and China: Anja Mihr on Central Asia
Russia... will lose ground here in the region over the next decade and China will fill it, because the Europeans are not doing it. The United States is not doing it. Iran is not doing it and Turkey cannot do it either.Anja MihrA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com or a short review of Between Peace and Conflict in the East and the West Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region here.Anja Mihr is an associate professor of Political Science at the OSCE Academy at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the founder and program director of the Center on Governance through Human Rights at the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform (gGmbH) in Berlin. Recently, she edited the volume Between Peace and Conflict in the East and the West Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsHow do Central Asian countries feel about Russia's invasion of Ukraine?Differences and similarities between Central Asian nationsWhy has China become so influential in the region?Sadyr Japarov and his rise to powerWhat is Glocalism?Key LinksBetween Peace and Conflict in the East and the West: Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region edited by Anja MihrLearn more about Anja MihrFollow Anja Mihr on Twitter @AnjaMihrDemocracy Paradox PodcastJennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia Murtazashvili on Afghanistan, Local Institutions, and Self-GovernanceTimothy Frye Says Putin is a Weak StrongmanMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

Mar 15, 2022 • 38min
Moisés Naím on the New Dynamics of Political Power
But what we have now is something that has not been sufficiently discussed, sufficiently understood, which is a criminalized state of which Russia is an example, in the Balkans we have some examples, in Latin America Venezuela stands out as an example. And that is essentially that the state becomes an organized criminal organization. An organization that essentially uses the structure, strategies, tactics, modalities of organized crime.Moisés NaímA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com or a short review of The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century here.Moisés Naím is a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an internationally syndicated columnist. He served as editor in chief of Foreign Policy, as Venezuela's trade minister, and as executive director of the World Bank. He is the author of The End of Power: From Boardrooms to Battlefields and Churches to States, Why Being In Charge Isn't What It Used to Be and most recently, The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsHow 3P Autocrats Use Polarization, Populism, and Post-Truth to Consolidate PowerWhy Do People Elect AutocratsNaím's Personal Evolution in his Ideas on PowerThe Rise of the Criminal StateNaím discusses Putin, Russia, and the War in UkraineKey LinksThe Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century by Moisés NaímLearn more about Moisés NaímFollow Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili on Twitter @MoisesNaimDemocracy Paradox PodcastSarah Repucci from Freedom House with an Update on Freedom in the WorldCaitlin Andrews-Lee on Charismatic Movements and Personalistic LeadersMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show

13 snips
Mar 8, 2022 • 49min
Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia Murtazashvili on Afghanistan, Local Institutions, and Self-Governance
It wasn't because Afghan social norms don’t support democracy. They do. And Afghans understood darn well what they were supposed to have. But they never even got the minimum of what they were promised in the constitution.Jennifer Brick MurtazashviliA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com or a short review of Land, the State, and War: Property Institutions and Political Order in Afghanistan here.Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia Murtazashvili are associate professors at the University of Pittsburgh and the authors of the recent book Land, the State, and War: Property Institutions and Political Order in Afghanistan. Jen is also the founding director and Ilia is an associate director of the Center for Governance and Markets.Support Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. Key HighlightsDescription of the role of shuras, maliks, and mullahs in local governanceHow property rights help explain local governanceWhy has the state always been ineffective in AfghanistanA little history on AfghanistanAre local, self-governing institutions in Afghanistan democratic?Key LinksLand, the State, and War: Property Institutions and Political Order in Afghanistan by Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ilia MurtazashviliLearn more about the Center for Governance and MarketsFollow Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili on Twitter @jmurtazashviliFollow Ilia Murtazashvili on Twitter @IMurtazashviliDemocracy Paradox PodcastDavid Stasavage on Early Democracy and its DeclineDonald F. Kettl on FederalismMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show
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