Rephonic
Artwork for Democracy Paradox

Democracy Paradox

Justin Kempf
Democracy
Populism
Democratic Backsliding
Ungoverning
Political Polarization
Governance
Administrative State
Political Backsliding
Economic Inequality
Venezuela
Bureaucracy
Expertise
Mexico
China
Counterrevolution
Regulation
State Capacity
Personalism
Elections
Political Science

Is it possible for a democracy to govern undemocratically? Can the people elect an undemocratic leader? Is it possible for democracy to bring about authoritarianism? And if so, what does this say about democracy? ​​My name is Justin Kempf. Every week I talk to the brightest minds on subjects like international relations, political theory, and history to explore democracy from every conceivable ang... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes253Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Democracy Paradox

Latest Episodes

The paradox of dictatorship is that dictatorships do well when they do not have a genuine dictator.

Minxin Pei

In this episode of Democracy Paradox, Justin Kempf speaks with China scholar Minxin Pei about his book The Broken China Dream: How Reform... more

Traditional programmatic parties serve as a critical guardrail for democracy. 

Erica Frantz

In this episode, Justin Kempf speaks with Erica Frantz about her book The Origins of Elected Strongmen and the rise of personalist leaders in democracies. F... more

By dismantling certain capacities today, you're making the democratic choices of tomorrow harder.

Javier Pérez Sandoval

In this episode, Javier Pérez Sandoval discusses his Journal of Democracy essay, coauthored with Andrés Mejía Acosta, on why pop... more

The group of people who have an interest in defending liberal democracy might be broader than many academics, and maybe even liberals, would have shown.

Kate Baldwin

This episode features Yale political scientist Kate Baldwin in a conversation abou... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Ones and Tooze
Ones and ToozeForeign Policy
The Foreign Affairs Interview
The Foreign Affairs InterviewForeign Affairs Magazine
The LRB Podcast
The LRB PodcastThe London Review of Books

Recent Guests

Minxin Pei
Editor of the China Leadership Monitor; author of The Broken China Dream and The Chinese Dream, How Reform Revived Totalitarianism
Claremont McKenna College (Professor); China Leadership Monitor (editor)
Episode: Minxin Pei Warns China Has Descended into Totalitarianism
Erica Frantz
Associate Professor in Political Science at Michigan State University, research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation
Michigan State University
Episode: Erica Frantz says Personalist Parties are Democracy's Latest Threat
Javier Pérez Sandoval
Postdoctoral research associate in democracy at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
University of Notre Dame
Episode: Javier Pérez Sandoval Reveals Democracy’s Hidden Vulnerability: The Hollowing of the State
Kate Baldwin
Associate Professor of Political Science at Yale University and author of the book Faith in Democracy.
Yale University
Episode: Kate Baldwin Explains Why Christianity Fights for Democracy in Africa
Natalie Wenzell Letsa
Associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of South Carolina and author of The Autocratic Voter.
University of South Carolina
Episode: Natalie Wenzell Letsa Describes the Autocratic Voter
Russell Muirhead
Robert Clements Professor of Democracy and Politics, and Co-Director of the Political Economy Project at Dartmouth University
Dartmouth University
Episode: Russell Muirhead Warns Ungoverning Threatens Democracy
Patrick McQuestion
PhD student studying political science and peace studies, co-host of the Global Stage Podcast
University of Notre Dame
Episode: Russell Muirhead Warns Ungoverning Threatens Democracy
Luis Schiumerini
Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, Faculty Fellow at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies
University of Notre Dame
Episode: Luis Schiumerini on Incumbency Bias
Adam Przeworski
Carroll and Milton Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics of New York University
New York University
Episode: Adam Przeworski Asks Who Decides What is Democratic

Host

Justin Kempf
Justin Kempf is the host who guides discussions on the complex themes of democracy, engaging with leading experts to unpack theories and real-world implications surrounding democratic governance.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 226 ratings
  • Amazing academic podcast

    This is one of my favorite podcasts, never missed a single episode. Thank you, Justin!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naj Noorzai
    United States3 months ago
  • Mixed at best

    I find these podcasts to be perpetually confusing. Of the three I’ve listened to, I abandoned 2 in disgust and held one to the end.

    I think my issue is that the host has a perspective on some key words or ideas that are far afield of how Americans like me take them.

    A big one is in how he and some of his guests use the words liberal, liberty and conservative. To him, the root meaning is all about 18th century philosophy (which is how the British use it) while to me it’s about 21st century li... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Abq Michael
    United States2 years ago
  • High level interviews from a range of political theorists and democracy experts. Inevitably a US perspective but covers writings, authors and case studies from around the world. A fantastic way to get an overview of big thinkers on democracy.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Tim Daw
    2 years ago
  • For anyone interested in democracy, especially democratic theory, this is an excellent podcast. Mostly interviews with academic authors, but always with people who speak the language and have lived in the countries they study. Historical perspective as well as current events.

    Podcast Addict
    presting
    3 years ago
  • Insightful every time

    Insightful conversations every week. A great resource for political scientists.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    daniela fran
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The host is frequently commended for his ability to engage experts and navigate difficult conversations effectively, resulting in informative episodes.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and engaging discussions that provide clarity on complex topics related to democracy.
Some feedback mentions a need for improved audio quality despite the strong content and expert guests dealt with in episodes.
There are mixed reviews, with some praising the depth of analysis while others find certain perspectives too complex or not aligned with their views.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#199
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#225
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#108
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#152
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#27
Chile/Government
Apple Podcasts
#57
Colombia/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Minxin Pei Warns China Has Descended into Totalitarianism
Q: What does studying China teach us about democracy itself?
That democracy thrives on competitive politics and the ability to remove bad leaders, but that economic modernization alone does not guarantee liberalization; history shows democracy requires structural supports and vigilant institutions.
Minxin Pei Warns China Has Descended into Totalitarianism
Q: Is the difference between authoritarianism under Deng and totalitarianism under Xi mainly a matter of management style and power consolidation?
Yes, but more importantly Pei emphasizes that Xi combines centralized power with a persistent suppression of civil society and information control, creating a structural revival of totalitarian practices within a modern state apparatus.
Minxin Pei Warns China Has Descended into Totalitarianism
Q: And the question on my mind is how close did China actually get to tying political liberalization with the economic liberalization that took place in the 1980s?
Pei argues it was a real but limited window, with key decisions in 1987 that could have led toward less totalitarian control if certain reforms had been approved; ultimately those opportunities were blocked, steering China back toward tighter control even as economic liberalization continued.
Erica Frantz says Personalist Parties are Democracy's Latest Threat
Q: How is it different when personalist politics enters a democracy than maybe what we see in an autocracy like China or Russia?
In democracies, personalism is limited primarily to the leader and their party, unlike autocracies where leaders exert control over security forces as well.
Erica Frantz says Personalist Parties are Democracy's Latest Threat
Q: Can you give me just a clear example of a case that really kind of highlights what personalism or personalistic rule or a personalist leader really is?
An example of personalism is Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, who created his own political party; the branding aligns more with him than the party itself.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy Paradox

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

This podcast features insightful conversations focused on exploring the intricate dynamics of democracy, examining how it can sometimes foster authoritarianism and the underlying challenges it faces in contemporary society. Listeners can expect discussions that traverse topics such as populism, state capacity, religious influences on governance, voter behavior in authoritarian regimes, and the implications of counterrevolutions. Each episode often highlights relevant academic research and expert perspectives, making complex theories accessible to a wider audience. It stands out by engaging deeply with significant global political issues, revealing the nuanced realities that can undermine democratic frameworks while provoking thought about s... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Democracy Paradox?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Democracy Paradox. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Democracy Paradox and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Democracy Paradox get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Democracy Paradox, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Democracy Paradox?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Democracy Paradox, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Democracy Paradox have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Democracy Paradox has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Democracy Paradox?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy Paradox:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
3. Ones and Tooze
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of Democracy Paradox are there?

Democracy Paradox launched 6 years ago and published 253 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 Paradox?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Democracy Paradox?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Democracy Paradox from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Democracy Paradox?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Democracy Paradox. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Democracy Paradox?

Recent guests on Democracy Paradox include:

1. Minxin Pei
2. Erica Frantz
3. Javier Pérez Sandoval
4. Kate Baldwin
5. Natalie Wenzell Letsa
6. Russell Muirhead
7. Patrick McQuestion
8. Luis Schiumerini

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days