Democracy in Question?

Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy

Democracy

Capitalism

Populism

Climate Change

African National Congress

Human Rights

European Union

Ukraine

Islamophobia

South Africa

China

Austria

Cloud Capital

Techno-Feudalism

Neoliberalism

Direct Action

Poland

Right-Wing Nationalism

Feminism

United States

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.

57 ratings

Publishes	Monthly	Episodes	108	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	GovernmentHistory

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Latest Episodes

Aishwary Kumar on Neo‑Democracy, Cruelty, and the Fate of the Vulnerable

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

11 Mar 2026 • 57 min

Jayadeva Uyangoda

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

11 Feb 2026 • 44 min

Eva Fodor

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

14 Jan 2026 • 48 min

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

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

10 Dec 2025 • 56 min

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Recent Guests

Jayadeva Uyangoda

Professor Emeritus at the University of Colombo, political commentator on democracy and ethnic conflict

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Episode: Jayadeva Uyangoda

Eva Fodor

Professor in the Department of Gender Studies, Central European University, expert on gender inequalities and anti-liberal politics

Central European University

Episode: Eva Fodor

Alana Amitaj

UNFPA representative for Mexico and country director for Cuba and the Dominican Republic

United Nations Family Planning Agency (UNFPA)

Episode: Reproductive Agency vs. Authoritarian Demographics

Rebecca Zerzan

Senior editor of UNFPA's State of World Population Report

United Nations Family Planning Agency (UNFPA)

Episode: Reproductive Agency vs. Authoritarian Demographics

Quinn Slobodian

Professor of International History at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and author of Hayek's Bastards.

Boston University

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

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

Host

Shalini Randeria

Renowned social anthropologist and Professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology with expertise in democratic institutions and social justice.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 57 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.

The host's insightful questioning style and unique perspective are often highlighted as strengths.

Feedback includes a strong appreciation for the blend of academic rigor with real-world relevance.

Listeners praise the engaging and erudite conversations with leading thinkers on pressing democratic issues.

Commentary is noted for its depth, making complex topics accessible and interesting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#194	United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts	#120	Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts	#220	Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts	#24	Chile/Government
Apple Podcasts	#75	South Africa/Government
Apple Podcasts	#82	Finland/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Eva Fodor

Q: Could you talk about the old-bound regimes' various attempts to legislate against gender equality and against gender justice?

Eva notes there's ongoing confusion about gender, with conservatives exploiting it as a popular term to incite fear against progressive values.

Eva Fodor

Q: Could you explain the strategies it has deployed to secure its hegemony?

Eva explains that Orbán's regime retains some features of democracy while hollowing out essential aspects like the rule of law, alters electoral rules to favor itself, and eliminates academic freedom.

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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

Focused on the intricate challenges confronting democracies globally, this podcast features in-depth discussions with experts who examine critical contemporary issues. The episodes cover a range of subjects, including the impact of authoritarian regimes on democratic practices, gender politics, and the socio-political implications of neoliberalism. Notable aspects of the content include explorations of citizen uprisings, the erosion of academic freedom, and a nuanced critique of current political systems. Listeners can expect insightful analyses of democracy's vulnerabilities and potential pathways for reform, making it compelling for those interested in political theory, social justice, and global affairs.

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Which podcasts are similar to Democracy in Question??

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy in Question?:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. The Rachman Review
3. The Lawfare Podcast
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of Democracy in Question? are there?

Democracy in Question? launched 5 years ago and published 108 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Democracy in Question??

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What guests have appeared on Democracy in Question??

Recent guests on Democracy in Question? include:

1. Jayadeva Uyangoda
2. Eva Fodor
3. Alana Amitaj
4. Rebecca Zerzan
5. Quinn Slobodian
6. Arjun Appadurai
7. Michael Ignatieff
8. Luiza Bialasiewicz

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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