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Democracy and Its Discontents

A New Miniseries from IGCC’s Talking Policy Podcast

U.S. democracy is facing unprecedented challenges. Political polarization is at its highest level in decades. An uncharted new media environment is spreading questionable information and undermining public trust. And profound economic and societal changes are prompting deep dissatisfaction with democratic institutions and procedures.

What’s going on with democracy—and how can we save it?

Democracy and Its Discontents, a new five-episode podcast miniseries from IGCC’s Talking Policy, will explore the spread of misinformation in political discourse, the influence of money on the U.S. electoral system, how political actors promote division and enmity, and how the rise of populist demagogues is testing democracies across the world. The series places these challenges in historic context to ask if the risks to U.S. democracy are really unprecedented and how we can reinvigorate the democratic ideals that the nation was founded upon.

  • Episode 1: The Attack on Truth—available now!
  • Episode 2: Money and Power—available now!
  • Episode 3: Division and Discord—available now!
  • Episode 4: The Allure of the Strongman—available now!
  • Episode 5: Living in Hope and History—available now!

EPISODE ONE: DISINFORMATION

Democracy and Its Discontents, Ep. 1: The Attack on Truth

Simone Chambers

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Black and white headshot photo of Simone Chambers next to clipart of a megaphone overlayed on a two-tone teal background

EPISODE TWO: MONEY IN POLITICS

Democracy and Its Discontents, Ep. 2: Money and Power

Marty Gilens

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Black and white headshot photo of Marty Gilens next to clipart of a hand holding money overlayed on a two-tone teal background

EPISODE THREE: ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC

Democracy and Its Discontents, Ep. 3: Division and Discord

Zoltan Hajnal

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Black and white headshot photo of Zoltan Hajnal next to a clipart image of an open mouth and speech bubble, overlayed on a two-tone teal background

EPISODE FOUR: THE APPEAL OF AUTHORITARIANISM

Democracy and Its Discontents, Ep. 4: The Allure of the Strongman

Stephan Haggard

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Black and white headshot photo of Stephan Haggard next to a clipart image of a closed fist, overlayed on a two-tone teal background

EPISODE FIVE: SERIES FINALE

Democracy and Its Discontents, Ep. 5: Living in Hope and History

Emilie M. Hafner-Burton and Christina Schneider

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Black and white headshot photos of Christina Schneider and Emilie Hafner-Burton overlayed on a two-tone teal background