Democracy in Question?

Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy
  • 4.2 (11)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Today, liberal democracies are under unprecedented strain from within and without. In each episode, renowned social anthropologist Shalini Randeria invites a leading scholar to explore the challenges and dilemmas facing democracies around the world. They investigate what needs to be done to ensure the future well-being of our democratic institutions and practices.

  1. APR 2

    Cara Daggett Unpacks Petro-Masculinity

    This episode explores Cara Daggett's concept of petro-masculinity. It explains how fossil fuel-based power structures depend on a gendered and racial ordering of the world. How do the threats of climate crises feed into reactionary politics? Listen to hear why it is critical to consider democratic society in a global ecological context, one that integrates the natural and social aspects of climate and politics. Our guest: Cara Daggett

    57 min

  2. MAR 19

    Nacim Pak-Shiraz on Cultural Contradictions in Iran

    This episode explores the multiple contradictions of Iranian society today. What are the limits for Iranian cultural producers? And what tactics do they employ to circumvent censorship and social taboos? Tune in for the wide-ranging conversation with insights from cinema and culture to women's protests and demographic concerns.

    47 min

  3. MAR 5

    Steffen Mau on the German Elections

    This episode explores the recent German elections and related social, economic and cultural issues. How did welfare measures, migration and history play a role in the elections' outcome? And how might universities serve as models for democratic engagement and outreach? Listen also to hear how the establishment of citizen councils could help to restore rational debate, a sense of efficacy and the spirit of tolerance needed to cultivate democracy.

    54 min

  4. FEB 19

    Katha Pollitt on Gendered Politics in the United States

    This episode explores the attack against progressive political agendas in the U.S. How have recent actions rolled back hard-won achievements in the realm of gender equity and racial diversity? And why is class relatively underemphasized in the U.S. when it comes examining voter preferences among women? Listen to hear about how reactionary narratives of patriarchy under threat are unfolding, and why increased welfare measures and childcare support are unlikely to lead to the Right’s desired pronatalist birthrates.

    40 min

  5. 11/27/2024

    Stephen Walt on the Return of Trump (Part 2)

    This episode explores what a second Trump presidency could mean for American domestic policy and politics, and for the rest of the world. Is American democracy at serious risk of being dismantled? And what will be the impact of Trump’s agenda on global efforts to reverse climate change and transatlantic relations with the European Union? Listen to hear what’s in store for America and the world.

    43 min

  6. 11/13/2024

    Stephen Walt on the Return of Trump (Part 1)

    This episode examines the factors which led to Donald Trump's decisive victory in the recent U.S. election. Did the Harris campaign’s insistence on issues of identity, rights, and democracy overshadow people's everyday struggles with economic issues? What role did patriarchal bias and demographics of a shifting landscape of political preferences play in this election? And finally, will the bark of Trump’s campaign promises be worse than the actual bite of the coming presidency?

    42 min

  7. 10/23/2024

    Johanna Lutz on Identity, Partisanship, and the Vulnerabilities of Democracy

    This episode explores advances made by the far-right in Austria and in Germany and examines crucial factors raised by Lutz’s recent report on identity, partisanship and polarization. What are the unexpected convergences and similarities across European countries? And what are the implications of the findings on the contested notion of illiberal democracy? Listen to hear about the challenge of mobilizing disaffected voters and what characterizes identity-democracy tradeoffs.

    44 min

  8. 10/09/2024

    Raimund Löw on the Dithering Austrian Democracy

    This episode explores the recent national elections in Austria and the victory of a radical right-wing party. How is this development situated within the EU's broader shift to the right? And what explains the decline of the traditional center-right and the Social Democrats? Listen to hear about the issues that dominated public discourse during the campaign and about the current state of democracy in Austria.

    42 min
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4.2
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Today, liberal democracies are under unprecedented strain from within and without. In each episode, renowned social anthropologist Shalini Randeria invites a leading scholar to explore the challenges and dilemmas facing democracies around the world. They investigate what needs to be done to ensure the future well-being of our democratic institutions and practices.

Information

  • Creator
    Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Graduate Institute Geneva - 2021
  • Show Website
    Democracy in Question?

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