Democracy in Question?

Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy

Democracy

Capitalism

Populism

Climate Change

Human Rights

European Union

Islamophobia

South Africa

China

Austria

Cloud Capital

Techno-Feudalism

Neoliberalism

Direct Action

Corruption

Poland

Right-Wing Nationalism

Feminism

United States

Ethno-Nationalism

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.

56 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	102	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	GovernmentHistory

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Latest Episodes

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

• Central Europea... more

10 Sep 2025 • 59 min

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

• Central Europ... more

25 Jun 2025 • 52 min

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

• Central... more

13 Jun 2025 • 1 hr

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

• Central European University: @weareceu.bsky... more

28 May 2025 • 50 min

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Recent Guests

Arjun Appadurai

Cultural anthropologist and professor emeritus of media, culture and communication

New York University

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

Michael Ignatieff

Public intellectual and Professor of History at Central European University

Central European University

Episode: Michael Ignatieff on the Contradictions of Liberal Democracy

Luiza Bialasiewicz

Professor of Political and Economic Geography at the Carfoscari University of Venice, Italy

Carfoscari University of Venice

Episode: Luiza Bialasiewicz on the Dilemmas of Academic Freedom

Samuel Eli Bagg

Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina, whose research focuses on reimagining democratic ideals and practices.

University of South Carolina

Episode: Samuel Bagg on Resisting State Capture

Ivanka Popović

Professor at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade

University of Belgrade

Episode: Ivanka Popović on the Serbian Protests (Part 1)

Soli Özel

Prominent Turkish political scientist and public intellectual.

Institute of Human Sciences, IWM

Episode: Soli Özel on Turkey's Political Protests

Cara New Daggett

Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech and Senior Fellow at the Research Institute for Sustainability at the Helmholtz Center in Potsdam, Germany, focusing on energy politics and feminism.

Virginia Tech

Episode: Cara Daggett Unpacks Petro-Masculinity

Nacim Pak-Shiraz

Professor of Cinema and Iran at the University of Edinburgh, expert on contemporary Iranian cinema and socio-political contexts

University of Edinburgh

Episode: Nacim Pak-Shiraz on Cultural Contradictions in Iran

Katha Pollitt

Poet, essayist, and columnist at The Nation

The Nation

Episode: Katha Pollitt on Gendered Politics in the United States

Host

Shalini Randeria

Rector and President of Central European University in Vienna and Senior Fellow at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy at the Graduate Institute Geneva.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 56 ratings

Azadeh Miaveni
Azadeh Moaveni is obviously on pay roll from Islamic Republic
Apple Podcasts
1
Nilphar
Germany3 years ago
An excellent podcast for these difficult times
Erudite conversations with some of the leading thinkers of our day. Ms Randeria hosts this podcast through thoughtfully-posed questions and her unique voice and perspective. Highly recommended for anyone who would like to know more about the challenges that global democracy currently faces.
Apple Podcasts
5
Gary E from DC
United States5 years ago
Brilliant conversations
Fascinating podcast with some of the greatest political thinkers of our time. Lots of inspirations to dig deeper and get active. Love the host’s voice.
Apple Podcasts
5
Tzerteffo
Austria5 years ago
Fascinating guests - important questions
These are the profs you wish you’d had! A brilliant insightful host, discussing some of the most pressing issues of the day in a new way. I really look forward to listening this when it comes out!
Apple Podcasts
5
TizTea
United Kingdom5 years ago
Convergence of academia and the real world!
I enjoy the unique convergence of academia and real world that this podcast bring.
Apple Podcasts
5
Mademoiselle Gibbs
United States5 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Highly engaging and constructive discussions about pressing societal challenges.

Erudite conversations with leading thinkers that enrich understanding of global democracy.

Listeners appreciate the blend of academia and real-world implications in current political scenarios.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#113	Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts	#224	Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts	#33	Chile/Government
Apple Podcasts	#92	Israel/Government
Apple Podcasts	#108	Austria/Government
Apple Podcasts	#110	South Africa/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ivanka Popović on the Serbian Protests (Part 2)

Q: What could the European Union do to better engage with the situation in Serbia?

The EU needs to assert its presence and prioritize democratic values to regain the trust of Serbian citizens who feel alienated by the current leadership.

Ivanka Popović on the Serbian Protests (Part 2)

Q: How did Vucic manage to win the last election despite dissatisfaction with his government?

He capitalized on the discontent with previous governments and initially presented a pro-European agenda, manipulating national pride to maintain control.

Ivanka Popović on the Serbian Protests (Part 2)

Q: Could you explain why the students are so hesitant about involving political parties and inviting them to the table?

Students are hesitant to involve political parties because they fear co-optation and corruption based on their past experiences with the political system and leaders.

Soli Özel on Turkey's Political Protests

Q: Does the current protest mobilization in Turkey indicate a possible path toward democratization, or is Erdoğan's regime simply waiting for the protests to subside?

Soli Özel argues that the CHP's response to the protests indicates a political channeling of social movements that could lead to democratization, though it remains uncertain.

Soli Özel on Turkey's Political Protests

Q: What role does the Istanbul mayor and his party play that is suddenly perceived by the government as such a major threat to the president's power?

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul, has continuously defeated Erdoğan in elections, making him a significant threat to the president's authority given the CHP's recent municipal election successes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy in Question?

What is Democracy in Question? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the current challenges faced by liberal democracies globally, this podcast engages listeners in in-depth discussions led by a prominent social anthropologist and a variety of expert guests, analyzing the complex dynamics influencing political systems. Topics range from academic freedom and state capture to social movements and the resurgence of authoritarianism, providing a rich exploration of not just democratic institutions but also the socio-political landscapes that affect them. Each episode is characterized by thoughtful dialogues that encourage active engagement with critical issues, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the future of democracy and civic involvement.

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Which podcasts are similar to Democracy in Question??

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1. Ones and Tooze
2. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
3. The Good Fight
4. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
5. The Intercept Briefing

How many episodes of Democracy in Question? are there?

Democracy in Question? launched 5 years ago and published 102 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Democracy in Question??

Recent guests on Democracy in Question? include:

1. Arjun Appadurai
2. Michael Ignatieff
3. Luiza Bialasiewicz
4. Samuel Eli Bagg
5. Ivanka Popović
6. Soli Özel
7. Cara New Daggett
8. Nacim Pak-Shiraz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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