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Democracy Paradox

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

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 monthlyEpisodes257Founded6 years ago
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GovernmentPoliticsNews

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Artwork for Democracy Paradox

Latest Episodes

The left pays a very steep price when they break with democratic norms and procedures.

Kenneth Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government at Cornell University. He is the coauthor (with Santiago Anria) of Polarizatio... more

If democracy wants to regain the upper hand, it has to not only do a better job than the other guys, but in fact, a good job.

Sheri Berman

This episode features a conversation with political scientist Sheri Berman on why today’s global "democratic ... more

Sharp power seeks to exploit the openness of free societies because their institutions are open.

Christopher Walker

Christopher Walker, a leading expert on authoritarian influence, returns to the origins of the concept of "sharp power," a term he h... more

I don't think populism is necessarily a challenge to democracy. I think it's part and parcel of it.

Hugo Drochon

Hugo Drochon joins The Democracy Paradox to explore why elites are an unavoidable part of democracy – and why that may not be a bad thi... more

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Recent Guests

Ken Roberts
Co-author of Polarization and Democracy in Latin America, Legacies of the Left Turn
Academia (Latin American democracy scholar)
Episode: Kenneth Roberts Says the Left Pays a Steep Price for Breaking with Democracy
Sheri Berman
Professor of political science at Barnard College, Columbia University
Barnard College, Columbia University
Episode: Sheri Berman Says the Democratic Recession Was Not a Surprise
Christopher Walker
Vice President for the Center for European Policy Analysis; author on sharp power
Center for European Policy Analysis
Episode: Christopher Walker Revisits Sharp Power
Hugo Drochon
Associate professor in political theory at the University of Nottingham; author of Elites and Democracy
University of Nottingham
Episode: Hugo Drochon Says Elites Are Inevitable
Milan Svolik
Professor of Political Science at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: Milan Svolik Asks: Do Voters Really Support Democracy?
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

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 States5 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 States3 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
    3 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
#118
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#168
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#226
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#109
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#148
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#248
Australia/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hugo Drochon Says Elites Are Inevitable
Q: Do you think of there being different types of elites, and how do they contest power within and across groups?
There are different types of elites (economic, political, academic, etc.), and they can contest power not just across groups but within factions of the same party or system. Outsiders can join with elements of the established elite to challenge the status quo, and this dynamic is essential for revitalizing democracy rather than simply replacing one set of elites with another.
Milan Svolik Asks: Do Voters Really Support Democracy?
Q: How do polarization and partisan loyalties influence willingness to tolerate undemocratic actions by favored politicians?
Higher polarization makes it easier for voters to justify anti-democratic moves by their own side, but the research also shows that polarization is a systemic risk: as parties and voters move further apart, the price of defending democracy rises, potentially making undemocratic options more tolerable for partisan reasons.
Milan Svolik Asks: Do Voters Really Support Democracy?
Q: Tell me about the core idea of testing revealed support for democracy through a scenario where voters choose between policies and democracy.
The core idea is to separate abstract support for democracy from actions in a concrete context, showing that voters may repudiate undemocratic behavior when it conflicts with policy preferences, and that their true commitment to democracy is revealed by how they trade off democracy against other priorities.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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

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Which podcasts are similar to Democracy Paradox?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy Paradox:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Good Fight
3. Past Present Future
4. Stay Tuned with Preet
5. The Gray Area with Sean Illing

How many episodes of Democracy Paradox are there?

Democracy Paradox launched 6 years ago and published 257 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 Paradox?

Recent guests on Democracy Paradox include:

1. Ken Roberts
2. Sheri Berman
3. Christopher Walker
4. Hugo Drochon
5. Milan Svolik
6. Minxin Pei
7. Erica Frantz
8. Javier Pérez Sandoval

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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