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Artwork for Democracy in Question: America at 250

Democracy in Question: America at 250

The Brookings Institution
Democracy
Trump Administration
Elections
Declaration Of Independence
American Democracy
Birthright Citizenship
Income Inequality
Executive Orders
Political Foundations
Billionaires
Donald Trump
Political Polarization
Social Media
Public Trust
Disinformation
Campaign Finance
Elon Musk
Immigration Policy
Civic Education
Voter Turnout

On Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas interviews guests about American politics and democracy. This season unpacks the 250-year-old Declaration of Independence phrase by phrase, finding the throughline between America's founding ideals and our democracy today.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes29Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Democracy in Question: America at 250

Latest Episodes

On the final episode of Democracy in Question's third season, host Katie Dunn Tenpas speaks with historian Heather Cox Richardson about the Declaration of Independence as a whole and its relevance today. The Declaration can be understood as an unfini... more

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On this episode of Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas speaks with Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, about the Declaration's most consequential closing phrase. From the fou... more

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Two grievances lodged against King George in the Declaration of Independence—taxation without consent and trade restrictions—continue to shape American policy today. On this episode of Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas is joined by Brooki... more

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The Declaration of Independence accused the British Crown of obstructing naturalization and restricting migration to the colonies, grievances that feel especially relevant today. On this episode of Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas sits d... more

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Recent Guests

Heather Cox Richardson
Historian
Boston College
Episode: Heather Cox Richardson on defending the Declaration's democratic ideals
Lindsay Chervinsky
Presidential historian
Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
Episode: The most profound line in the Declaration of Independence
Kari Heerman
Director of Trade and Economic Statecraft and Senior Fellow in the Economic Studies Program
Brookings Institution
Episode: Why the founders cared about trade and taxes
Jonathan Rauch
Senior Fellow in Governance Studies, author of Cross Purposes; contributing writer to The Atlantic
Brookings Institution
Episode: Is 'consent of the governed' possible amid polarized politics?
Keon Gilbert
Director of the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative; Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings
Brookings Institution
Episode: Has America ever lived up to 'all men are created equal'?
Bill Galston
Ezra K. Zilka Chair and Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings; expert on American political thought and policy
Brookings Institution
Episode: Has America ever lived up to 'all men are created equal'?
Vanessa Williamson
Senior fellow in governance studies at Brookings; author of The Price of Democracy
Brookings Institution
Episode: What do the Declaration's "self-evident truths" mean today?
Jonathan Katz
Fellow in governance studies and co-editor of the 2025 Democracy Playbook
Brookings Institution
Episode: How do we safeguard democracy?
Tara Watson
Economist focusing on US social policy with interests in immigration, health, and the safety net
Center for Economic Security and Opportunity; Brookings Institution
Episode: Do immigrants enrich democracy?

Host

Katie Dunn Tenpas
Host of Democracy in Question

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Amazing

    Awesome and informative!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jayz loves audiown
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, rigorous analysis of democracy and policy reform.
Clear connection between historical ideas and today's politics.
High-quality guests who bring deep expertise.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#167
Indonesia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Heather Cox Richardson on defending the Declaration's democratic ideals
Q: What does that assertion [that governments are instituted to secure rights] actually require of a legislative branch today?
Richardson explains that the founding idea sets a standard for rights as universal protections, implying Congress must actively secure equal rights and representative governance, even amid dysfunction, and that contemporary debates about rights and representation reflect ongoing attempts to realize those core principles.
Why the founders cared about trade and taxes
Q: And Kari, what does the current moment look like in terms of trade policy and executive power?
The discussion covers how authorities other than traditional tariffs have been used to reshape the tariff regime and how the executive branch has gained leverage, raising questions about the proper balance with Congress.
Why the founders cared about trade and taxes
Q: What did the Crown actually do that made this feel more than just a financial complaint?
The guests describe how tax measures were not just about revenue but about sovereignty, economic control, and how regulation of trade intersected with rights and representation, intensifying the sense that Britain was legislating for the colonies without consent.
Why the founders cared about trade and taxes
Q: Can you tell us about that phrase?
Vanessa explains how taxation and trade evolved as a contest over whether the colonies could tax themselves and how Parliament's approach reflected the broader struggle for self-government and constitutional limits.
Life, Liberty, and Happiness: A guide for yesterday and today?
Q: How have movements used the Declaration to advance their agendas without undermining its universality?
Movements have grafted onto the Declaration's language to advocate for rights (e.g., women's suffrage, civil rights) while recognizing the text's vagueness as a strategic tool to foster broad support without triggering direct confrontation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy in Question: America at 250

What is Democracy in Question: America at 250 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across episodes, the show interrogates American democracy through historical ideas and contemporary policy, guided by Brookings scholars and policy experts. Conversations weave the Declaration of Independence's core phrases into today's debates on representation, equality, immigration, tax, and governance, often pairing historians with policy researchers to connect founding principles to current political realities. A notable throughline is translating lofty ideals into practical lessons for reform, while maintaining a rigorous, evidence-driven approach.

Distinctive strengths include high-caliber guests who blend academic analysis with real-world implications, a clear focus on governance and constitutional questions, and a living interpret... more

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Democracy in Question: America at 250 launched 2 years ago and published 29 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: America at 250?

Recent guests on Democracy in Question: America at 250 include:

1. Heather Cox Richardson
2. Lindsay Chervinsky
3. Kari Heerman
4. Jonathan Rauch
5. Keon Gilbert
6. Bill Galston
7. Vanessa Williamson
8. Jonathan Katz

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