The second season of The Atlantic's podcast entitled Autocracy in America is out now and it features discussions about what its editors describe as quote society's complacency with liberal values and how this carelessness has fueled a democratic retreat and a new belligerance among dictators. Chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative and former world chess champion, Gary Kasparov has taken the reigns from an Applebound as the new host of the program and he joins us now. It's great to have you on the show.U ...

A senator handcuffed, people snatched off the streets by masked agents, judges threatened, and the military deployed on US citizens. This is the new normal right here in the United States, even if there's nothing normal about it. It has spurred talks about the state of our democracy and where the country is headed. Supreme Court Justice Katanji Brown Jackson was asked this week at an Indianapolis Bar Association event about what keeps her up at night, and here's what she said. I would say the state of our d ...

With ISIS's rapid transformation, we're witnessing a police state taking shape before our eyes, built to operate outside the reach of voters, courts, or the Constitution. Just look at what happened recently in a New York City park. After more than 20 years of coaching kids baseball, Yman Wilder saw ICE agents approach approach players during practice asking where they were from. When the coach stepped in telling the kids not to answer and calling the questions inappropriate, the agents backed off. Which rai ...

Geopolitical Landscape & International Relations - The US is resuming arms shipments to Ukraine, signaling continued involvement in the conflict [1] - A special tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine has been launched by Ukraine and the Council of Europe, marking a significant step in international law [2] - The tribunal aims to prosecute leaders, like Vladimir Putin, for launching or planning the war, filling a gap in international criminal law [3][4] - International support and solidarity with Russian citizens who oppose the dictatorship are crucial for fostering democracy in Russia [26][29] - Appeasement of aggressors like Putin leads to more wars and suffering, highlighting the need for a firm stance from the international community [28][29] Political & Human Rights - Russian opposition politician Vladimir Karamsa, a vocal critic of Putin, was imprisoned and later released in a prisoner exchange, demonstrating the risks faced by dissidents [5][7] - Karamsa argues that accountability for past crimes is essential for Russia's future democratic transition, drawing lessons from the failure of the 1990s [9] - Lack of accountability for crimes committed by the Soviet regime led to the rise of Putin and the current state of affairs, emphasizing the importance of justice [16][17] - The murders of Boris Neov and Alexi, leaders of the Russian Democratic opposition, highlight the severity of the regime's actions against dissent [18] Future of Russia - Major political change in Russia can happen swiftly and unexpectedly, drawing parallels with the collapse of the Tsarist and communist regimes [20] - A democratic Russia is essential for guaranteeing peace, stability, and security in Europe and the world [23][29]

Joining me now is Lukan Ahmed Way, distinguished professor of democracy at the University of Toronto and the author of numerous books including Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism and Joyce Vance, former United States Attorney, co-host of the Sisters-in-law podcast and an MSNBC contributor. Welcome to you both. Luka, I think I'm we're getting a commission from University of Toronto.Uh this this show we had uh we had Jason Stanley on at at 10:00. You have studied how ...

For decades Thailand’s ruling establishment has made sure that its democracy is little more than a veneer. More recently, they’ve used judges to make sure no one can change the country in ways they might dislike https://t.co/XAUrgFTBim ...

Executive Power and Legislation - The analysis indicates a significant increase in the use of executive orders by the current administration compared to previous administrations, including its own first term, suggesting a shift in governance strategy [11] - The report highlights that the current administration has signed over 35 times as many executive orders as new laws, indicating a preference for executive action over legislative collaboration [15] - The analysis contrasts the current approach with that of past presidents like FDR, who balanced executive orders with legislative action, passing approximately 80-90 laws alongside executive orders during a pivotal period [14] - The report points out that the current administration's approach deviates from historical norms, with concerns raised about potential autocratic tendencies due to the heavy reliance on executive orders [16] Constitutional and Legal Concerns - The analysis suggests that the administration's actions, particularly the issuance of executive orders, are facing legal challenges and are often being struck down in court [17][18] - The report raises concerns about the administration's interpretation of Article Two of the Constitution, with claims that it is being used to justify an expansion of presidential power beyond established limits [4][5] - The analysis emphasizes that the administration's pursuit of policy goals through executive orders, bypassing Congress, is seen as an effort to change the government's structure and potentially undermine democratic checks and balances [9][18] Political Context and Opposition - The report notes a shift in the Republican party's dynamics, with congressional leaders now more aligned with the administration's agenda compared to the first term [1] - The analysis mentions the emergence of a "Trump resistance" and public backlash against the administration's actions, indicating opposition to the perceived expansion of executive power [6]

Thailand is known for its scenic beaches, Buddhist temples, and vibrant nightlife. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale of a society where democratic institutions crumble, leaving oligarchs to fight it out https://t.co/r8dknSviTv ...

Storytelling & Democracy - The entertainment industry often fails to support storytellers from marginalized communities, leading to underrepresentation and underfunding [9] - Technology, particularly social media, exacerbates division through algorithms that promote hate speech, extremism, and disinformation [10] - AI models risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and appropriating voices and stories without consent or compensation [17] - Storytelling can drive social change, as demonstrated by the marriage equality movement [21] Social Impact - Social media contributes to self-hatred and animosity, exemplified by the tragic case of Molly Russell [12] - There has been a 119% increase in tweets demonizing the LGBTQIA+ community since October 2022, leading to harassment and violence [14] - Disinformation spread through algorithms fuels polarization and undermines democratic processes, as seen in the January 6th insurrection and the January 8th coup attempt in Brazil [15] Future Vision - The power of human imagination remains crucial for building a better world, even in the face of AI and algorithmic dominance [20] - Investment in narrative infrastructure is needed to amplify unheard stories and promote diversity in media content [29][30] - Technology should be reimagined as a force for good, with transparent algorithms and AI models that unlock imagination [30] - The story of democracy needs to be rewritten to center on joy, belonging, and possibility, ensuring inclusivity for all [31]

Welcome to the beat everyone. I am Ari Melbour and let me tell you right off the top we have a very special and newsworthy guest to begin the show tonight. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakee Jeff the most powerful Democrat in Washington is here. I will see you in a moment. I will tell folks that we are coming fresh off leader Jeff historic literally breaking historical records 8h hour 44 minute house floor speech. This is one way to understand if nothing else the sheer amount of time and stamina that wa ...