Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight

TA Mullis
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A 'Dictators v Democrats' program https://tamullis.substack.com/  Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullis Patreon: patreon.com/DictatorsvDemocrats Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/vsTNKRvy Democracy is at war. We can see the forces rallied against it: autocratic states like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, techno-aristocrats, religious fundamentalists and populist demagogues.  From the trenches of Ukraine to the halls of power in the US, democratic, free values are under determined assault.  But, there are those who resist.  In 'Why We Fight' we talk to those who claim to be defending democracy; that's everyone from soldiers, protestors, activists, religious leaders, industrialists and politicians.  We find out who they are, what drove them to take up the struggle, what their work is and why their idea of democracy is worth fighting for.

  1. 5D AGO

    Roger McNair - Project Jinn and Reforming Democracy in the UK

    Send us Fan Mail We are joined by Roger McNair, founder of Project Jinn, to examine the growing crisis of confidence in British democracy and the case for reform. McNair argues that the current system—built around elections every five years—is no longer sufficient for a politically aware and connected population. He sets out a vision for a more direct, participatory model, where citizens have a meaningful say on key issues between elections. Drawing on his journey across all 76 UK cities, he describes a country marked by deep disillusionment with politics, but not without hope. The episode also confronts harder questions about truth, division, and whether democratic systems can function when citizens no longer share a common understanding of reality. 🔑 Topics covered Collapse of public trust in politicians and institutionsThe limits of representative democracyDirect democracy and the Swiss/Liechtenstein modelsProject Jinn’s mission and structureInsights from a nationwide tour of the UKPublic disengagement vs latent political opinionsMedia trust, misinformation, and foreign interferenceTruth vs perspective in political debateInclusion of anti-democratic viewpointsThe emotional state of the country: disconnection, fatigue, and underlying goodwillAt its core: if democracy is no longer delivering for the public, what should replace it—and how can it be rebuilt? Support the show

    53 min

  2. APR 23

    Jason Pack on Disorder, Institutional Failure and Why Democracy is Still Worth Fighting For

    Send us Fan Mail Jason Pack, host of the Disorder podcast, joins Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight to discuss his idea of “enduring disorder” — a world where democracies struggle to coordinate, institutions fail to deliver, and power is increasingly fragmented. The conversation looks at what that means in practice: from Libya and Ukraine to British politics and the failures of Western leadership What we cover  What Pack means by “enduring disorder” — and why he thinks the post–Cold War system has broken down  Why democracies are struggling to coordinate on major issues like climate, security and technology  Libya as a case study in how international cooperation fails  The rise of “disorder actors” — from authoritarian states to populist movements within democracies  Whether democracy still offers anything tangible to ordinary people  Why belief in democratic values may be weakening, even in the UK and US  The role of money, media and private power in shaping modern politics  Why people in stable democracies often care less about democracy than those who’ve lived under dictatorship  Pack’s personal reasons for defending democratic systems Key questions  If the system is breaking down, what is democracy actually delivering?  Are people turning away from democracy — or just losing faith in it?  Who benefits from disorder: democracies or dictatorships?  Can democratic systems adapt to an age of social media, AI and fragmented power? Follow Jason's work  Podcast: Disorder podcast Book: Libya and the Global Enduring DisorderSupport the show

    1h 2m

  3. APR 17

    Chechen Prime Minister in Exile Akhmed Zakayev on War, Resistance, and Russia

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Why We Fight, I speak with Akhmed Zakayev, the exiled Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Zakayev lays out his case that Chechnya remains under Russian occupation, describing life inside the republic as lawless and repressive, and arguing that the Chechen struggle is not a recent conflict but part of a centuries-long resistance to Russian imperialism. We discuss the legacy of the Chechen wars, the role of Russian propaganda in shaping Western perceptions, and why Zakayev believes those wars were the prelude to Russia’s invasions of Georgia and Ukraine. He also explains how a government in exile operates, how Chechens abroad maintain ties to those at home, and why he believes independence is essential for the survival of the Chechen people. The conversation explores Chechen culture, its emphasis on honour and equality, and what freedom and democracy mean from a Chechen perspective. Zakayev also makes a broader argument: that lasting global security depends on the end of Russian imperialism. This is a rare, in-depth interview with one of the most prominent figures in the Chechen independence movement—on history, identity, and the future of a nation still fighting to exist. Support the show

    27 min

  4. APR 3

    No War, No Appeasement: Zolal Habibi on Iran’s Fight for Freedom

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We speak with Iranian human rights activist Zolal Habibi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Born into a family shaped by repression Habibi has spent her life advocating for a democratic alternative to the Islamic Republic.  Amongst the backdrop of America and Israel's war on Iran They discuss:  The reality of resistance inside Iran  Why repeated uprisings haven’t yet toppled the regime  The role of women at the forefront of protest movements  The controversy and vision behind the NCRI The lack of nuance among Western commentators Why she argues the solution is “neither war nor appeasement”And ultimately, what a free Iran could look like — and whether it’s closer than we think. Support the show

    1h 12m

  5. MAR 27

    Jaden Braves on Gen Z, Power, and the Future of Democracy

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We sit down with Jaden Braves a young Canadian political organiser and director at the Sephira Institute. They explore how a new generation is engaging with democracy—and where it’s breaking down. From flawed electoral systems and youth disengagement to the impact of social media, foreign influence, and global conflict, Jaden argues that democratic systems are failing to keep up with the world they now operate in. The conversation covers:  Why young people feel locked out of politics  The case for lowering the voting age  Social media as a national security threat  Whether democracy is “at war” globally  How Gen Z is being shaped—and misled—by information overload This is a wide-ranging discussion about power, participation, and what democracy needs to survive in the 21st century. Support the show

    56 min

  6. MAR 22

    Is Democracy Broken? Metin Peckin’s Radical Case Against Political Parties

    Send us Fan Mail Are political parties actually undermining democracy? In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We sit down with businessman-turned-author Metin Peckin, whose new book Breaking Democracy’s Chains argues that the biggest threat to modern democracy isn’t dictators—it’s the system itself. Peckin makes a provocative case: political parties have become gatekeepers, limiting true representation and concentrating power in the hands of wealthy elites and entrenched interests. Drawing on history—from the warnings of the American Founding Fathers to modern examples like the Iraq War and Citizens United—he argues that democracy has been captured. Together, we explore:  Why political parties may be “the bottleneck” in representation  How money and elite influence shape modern politics  Whether independent candidates could replace party systems  A radical proposal for a party-less democracy  The role of technology in transforming representation  The limits of freedom, and what democracy should actually mean Peckin also outlines his proposed reforms, including independent MPs, ranked-choice voting, and a “democracy tax” designed to curb the influence of big money in politics. This is a challenging, wide-ranging conversation about whether democracy as we know it still works—and what it might take to fix it. Support the show

    1h 1m

  7. FEB 28

    Dr. Roberto Foa: Why Faith in Democracy Is Eroding — and How It Can Be Saved

    Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We speak with Dr. Roberto Foa, one of the world’s leading political scientists studying democratic legitimacy and populism. Drawing on decades of research into public attitudes, Dr. Foa explains his influential theory of “democratic deconsolidation” — the erosion of faith in democracy, particularly among younger generations.  We explore why democratic values like tolerance, trust, and fairness are under strain, how populism exploits genuine public grievances, and what must be done to renew democratic engagement in the digital age.  This is a conversation about the fragility of democracy, the responsibilities of citizens and elites, and whether democracy can adapt to survive the pressures of the 21st century.  Support the show

    57 min

  8. FEB 13

    Dmytro Koziatynskyi: Fighting Corruption While Fighting a War

    Send us Fan Mail *Note from the host - I apologize for the missed weeks, a combination of holiday and family concerns. Also, my audio in this one is a little poor, unfortunately my good mic has developed an issue.* In this episode, we speak with Ukrainian veteran and civil activist Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a former combat medic who returned from war to fight a different battle — defending democracy at home in Ukraine. After serving on the front lines following Russia’s full-scale invasion, Koziatynskyi became a central figure in organising mass protests against controversial anti-corruption legislation that many feared would undermine the independence of National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The demonstrations, held during wartime and under martial law, forced a political U-turn by the government of Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a rare and remarkable example of democratic pressure succeeding during an existential national conflict. Koziatynskyi discusses his journey from civilian entrepreneur to battlefield medic, and from soldier to protest organiser. He explains the risks of public dissent during war, the role of civil society in resisting authoritarian drift, and why he believes individual action can still shape the fate of nations. This conversation explores corruption, democracy under fire, Ukraine’s European future, and what citizens everywhere can learn from a society fighting for survival while refusing to surrender its democratic values. Support the show

    51 min
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About

A 'Dictators v Democrats' program https://tamullis.substack.com/  Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullis Patreon: patreon.com/DictatorsvDemocrats Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/vsTNKRvy Democracy is at war. We can see the forces rallied against it: autocratic states like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, techno-aristocrats, religious fundamentalists and populist demagogues.  From the trenches of Ukraine to the halls of power in the US, democratic, free values are under determined assault.  But, there are those who resist.  In 'Why We Fight' we talk to those who claim to be defending democracy; that's everyone from soldiers, protestors, activists, religious leaders, industrialists and politicians.  We find out who they are, what drove them to take up the struggle, what their work is and why their idea of democracy is worth fighting for.

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