Democracy in Question?

Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy
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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. 12/10/2025

    Reproductive Agency vs. Authoritarian Demographics

    Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    57 min

  2. 11/12/2025

    Quinn Slobodian on the “New Fusion” of Neoliberalism and the Far Right (Part 2)

    Our guest: Quinn Slobodian   Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    1h 2m

  3. 10/08/2025

    Quinn Slobodian on Capitalism, Democracy, and the Politics of Zones (Part 1)

    Our guest: Quinn Slobodian   Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!    GLOSSARY   Bantustan    A Bantustan was one of ten territories designated by South Africa's apartheid government as "homelands" for Black African populations. Established during the mid-20th century, these areas were intended to segregate Black South Africans from political and economic life in the rest of the country. Each Bantustan was associated with a specific ethnic or linguistic group, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, or Tswana peoples. Although some were nominally granted "independence," none were recognized internationally, and they were largely dependent on the South African state for funding and security. Life in Bantustans was often marked by poverty, underdevelopment, and limited political rights, with residents stripped of South African citizenship to reinforce segregation. The Bantustan system was widely criticized as a tool of racial exclusion, designed to legitimize apartheid while maintaining white political and economic dominance. source

    59 min

  4. 09/10/2025

    Arjun Appadurai on Universities, Autonomy, and the Future of Democracy

    Our guest: Arjun Appadurai    Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!    GLOSSARY   McCarthyism  (07:46)   McCarthyism describes a period in the early 1950s when U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin led a campaign to uncover alleged communist influence within the American government. From 1950 to 1954, McCarthy gained national attention by making sweeping accusations of subversion and disloyalty, often without credible evidence. His claims fueled widespread fear during the Cold War and resulted in many individuals losing jobs or reputations despite the lack of proof. The term has since come to signify the practice of making unsubstantiated charges, especially in a highly publicized or politically motivated way. McCarthy’s power declined after his aggressive methods were exposed during nationally televised hearings in 1954, when public opinion turned against him. Later that year, the U.S. Senate formally censured him, marking the collapse of his influence. Today, McCarthyism is remembered as a cautionary example of how fear and suspicion can undermine democratic institutions. source

    1 hr

  5. 06/25/2025

    Michael Ignatieff on the Contradictions of Liberal Democracy

    Our guest: Michael Ignatieff   Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    53 min

  6. 06/13/2025

    Luiza Bialasiewicz on the Dilemmas of Academic Freedom

    Our guest: Luiza Anna Bialasiewicz   Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    1h 1m

  7. 05/28/2025

    Samuel Bagg on Resisting State Capture

    Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social • Samuel Bagg: ‪@samuel-bagg.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    50 min

  8. 05/14/2025

    Ivanka Popović on the Serbian Protests (Part 2)

    Our guest: Ivanka Popović      Democracy in Question? is brought to you by: • Central European University: CEU • The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: AHCD • The Podcast Company: scopeaudio   Follow us on social media! • Central European University: @weareceu.bsky.social • Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy in Geneva: @ahcdemocracy.bsky.social   Subscribe to the show. If you enjoyed what you listened to, you can support us by leaving a review and sharing our podcast in your networks!

    52 min
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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
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Graduate Institute Geneva - 2021
  • Show Website
    Democracy in Question?

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