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Artwork for The Future of Our Former Democracy 

The Future of Our Former Democracy 

MED and Larj Media
Northern Ireland
The Troubles
Proportional Representation
Ireland
Voting Rights
Good Friday Agreement
Civil Rights Movement
Germany
Power Sharing
Sunningdale Agreement
Ulster Unionist Party
Dublin City Council
Local Elections
United States
Provisional IRA
Bloody Sunday
Immigration
Racism
Political Representation
British Army

After World War II, Germany redesigned its electoral system to prevent another faction like the Nazis from taking over the government ever again. In the new season of the award-winning podcast from More Equitable Democracy, we examine far-right movements in modern Germany and the U.S. to explore what lessons from German political history might mean for American democracy.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes19Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for The Future of Our Former Democracy 

Latest Episodes

Throughout this season, we've heard excerpts from interviews and presentations that were part of a February 2025 learning tour organized by More Equitable Democracy. This tour brought US academics, racial justice advocates, and political reformers to... more

While Germany makes a continuous effort to grapple with their past and practice remembrance of historic atrocities, there are still significant tensions today about German identity: what a German sounds like, what a German looks like, and what it mea... more

In Germany, as in the United States and much of Europe, there has been a rising surge of support for far-right populism and anti-democratic forces. This is exemplified in the growth of the far-right political party "Alternative for Germany" (AFD).

I... more

In this episode, Heather and Colin walk through how Hitler and the Nazi Party executed their plan to dismantle Germany democracy and, often under-examined, how German democracy was rebuilt after World War II. Most importantly, they explore electoral ... more

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Recent Guests

Hesham Moadamani
refugee from Syria, tour guide and translator
Bard College Berlin
Episode: The "New Germans": Identity and Belonging in Modern Germany
Khuê Phạm
Vietnamese-German author and journalist
Independent/Author
Episode: The "New Germans": Identity and Belonging in Modern Germany
Dr Yaşar Aydın
sociology and economics professor, migration and integration researcher
University/Research
Episode: The "New Germans": Identity and Belonging in Modern Germany
Berit Ebert
Political science faculty member and Director of Public Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Bard College Berlin
Bard College Berlin
Episode: Alternative für Amerika: MAGA, AfD, and the Politics of Division
Martin Lange
Holocaust educator and learning-tour facilitator
Unspecified in transcript, involved in learning tour
Episode: Alternative für Amerika: MAGA, AfD, and the Politics of Division
Timothy Ryback
Historian and author referenced for analysis of Hitler's dismantling of democracy
Author, History (The Atlantic connection referenced in episode)
Episode: Project 1933: How to Dismantle a Democracy (and How to Rebuild)
Brendan MacGurk
Tour guide in Munich, German Bundestags Exhibition on Parliamentary History
Germany tour guides network
Episode: Beer Hall Demagogues: German Democracy's Rocky Start
Bobby Grampp
Tour guide at the German Bundestags Exhibition on Parliamentary History
German Bundestags Exhibition
Episode: Beer Hall Demagogues: German Democracy's Rocky Start
Finn Ballard
Historian and tour guide in Berlin
Independent historian
Episode: Beer Hall Demagogues: German Democracy's Rocky Start

Hosts

Colin Cole
Director of Policy, Outreach and Communications. Co-host of the podcast.
George Cheung
Director of the non-profit advocacy group More Equitable Democracy. Co-host of the podcast.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 108 ratings
  • Didn’t lay good foundation of explaining the 2 systems from the beginning. Episodes don’t delve deep enough into main points of episode. Cursory conclusions abound without adequate intellectual exploration.

    Audible
    1
    Ferguson
    United Statesa month ago
  • Gaels tales

    Congratulations on a comprehensive and thought-provoking series drawing parallels between the US and Ireland in the development of democracy and the need for a genuinely representative voting system.

    A point of accuracy though (in Episode 4) - the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Sir James Craig did not unilaterally declare that his was ‘A Protestant parliament for a Protestant people’. This is frequently misleadingly stated, even by some historians.

    It was Taoiseach Éamon de Valera who first... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    True Ulsterman
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Fresh Air!!!

    This podcast is a breath of fresh air in a subject that too often dives headfirst into the murky waters of math, parties, and punditry. George and Colin have a gift for keeping the focus on real people participating in elections to decide what they want to do together. It’s entertaining, informative, thought-provoking and so consistently refreshing that you might forget you are learning about one of the most important issues of our time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PRadvocate
    United States10 months ago
  • Amazing deep dive

    Northern Ireland presents a great case study in how proportional representation can calm down deep sectarian divisions and even political violence. Great storytelling with compelling human stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    skhejdnx
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent Dive into Alternate Electoral System

    I really enjoyed this podcast and learning about the Proportional Representation electoral system primarily based on its use in Northern Ireland. The information is presented very well, and the hosts are very engaging. Even my kid enjoyed the show, and complimented their government class in high school.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JS Storm
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques indicate a perceived bias in favor of progressive reforms, suggesting the need for balanced discussions.
The podcast is praised for its insightful historical context, connecting past events to current political challenges.
Many find the conversations accessible and engaging, highlighting both personal stories and expert opinions.
Overall, the production quality and content presentation receive positive remarks, making it a must-listen for those interested in democracy.
Listeners appreciate the timely and relevant analysis of electoral systems and their implications.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#165
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#210
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Project 1933: How to Dismantle a Democracy (and How to Rebuild)
Q: So is the judge saying you can only do this by constitutional means?
Yes, the judge confirms that Hitler could only proceed as long as he claimed to act within constitutional bounds, highlighting a dangerous edge where legal language is used to legitimize undemocratic goals.
Alternative für Amerika: MAGA, AfD, and the Politics of Division
Q: So Colin, the AFD, are they Nazis?
The guests and hosts discuss that while the AFD uses extreme nationalist rhetoric and has been labeled anti-constitutional by Germany's Verfassungsschutz, labeling them as Nazis is debated; some guests argue the party embodies Nazi-era methods and aims, while acknowledging it operates within a modern democratic framework.
Bonus: Pádraig Ó Tuama in Conversation
Q: What is the purpose of elections?
The purpose of elections is to choose temporary leadership to address contemporary concerns, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and compromise.
Bonus: Pádraig Ó Tuama in Conversation
Q: How have those conversations gone generally?
Ó Tuama notes that for some the Irish reunification is unwelcome, acknowledging varied perspectives and emphasizing the need for a moral reckoning around British presence in Ireland.
Bonus: A Conversation with Claire Hanna, MP for Belfast South and Mid Down
Q: What is the current political context regarding anti-immigrant sentiment?
Hanna notes that although Ireland has historically been a pro-immigration nation, the emergence of anti-immigrant sentiments and far-right candidates is concerning, though they did not achieve significant electoral breakthroughs.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Future of Our Former Democracy 

What is The Future of Our Former Democracy  about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the intersections of electoral systems, democracy, and historical context, particularly comparing the experiences of Northern Ireland to current issues in the United States. Episodes explore a range of topics, including the complexities of political representation, the importance of electoral reform, and the impacts of historical events on modern-day democracy. With a unique perspective, the discussions often feature insights from politicians, poets, and activists, enriching the narrative with personal stories and expert analyses. This podcast provides valuable lessons on how electoral change can foster inclusivity and mitigate political violence, making it a crucial listen for those interested in the future of democr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Future of Our Former Democracy ?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Future of Our Former Democracy :

1. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
2. The Ezra Klein Show
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4. KCRW's Left, Right & Center
5. Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

How many episodes of The Future of Our Former Democracy  are there?

The Future of Our Former Democracy  launched 2 years ago and published 19 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 The Future of Our Former Democracy ?

Recent guests on The Future of Our Former Democracy  include:

1. Hesham Moadamani
2. Khuê Phạm
3. Dr Yaşar Aydın
4. Berit Ebert
5. Martin Lange
6. Timothy Ryback
7. Brendan MacGurk
8. Bobby Grampp

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