This is Democracy

This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a discussion with Dr. Emily Whalen about Lebanon’s complex history and its current conflict. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "A Prophecy". Dr. Emily Whalen is a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Her first book, The Lebanese Wars, which examines the history of U.S. interventions in the Lebanese Civil War, is...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Professor Mary Bridges, author of 'Dollars and Dominion: U.S. Bankers and the Making of a Superpower.' They explore the significant, yet often overlooked, role of banking institutions, particularly the Federal Reserve, in shaping American democracy and foreign policy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Reserves". The conversation delves in...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Samuel G. Freedman to talk about the often overlooked contributions of Hubert Humphrey to American history and civil rights. The discussion traces Humphrey's rise from a small-town boy in South Dakota to a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement and U.S. politics. Despite not achieving the presidency, Humphrey's impact as Mayor of Minneapolis, U.S. S...

This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with Paul Stekler to explore whether debates influence election outcomes, referencing major debates from past elections, and look closely at the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Everyone is Laughing". Paul Stekler is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose critically praised and award-win...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with John A. Lawrence to delve into the intricacies of the U.S. Congress. They discuss its historical significance, common misconceptions about its operations, and the inherent challenges in passing legislation. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "The Speaker". John A. Lawrence served for thirty-eight years as a senior staff person in the United States Hou...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the upcoming academic year and how universities can impact our relationships with democracy and politics. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A New Season."

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled "Bloodstains." Dr. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is also a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and chair of the Advisory Council for the Kennan Institute at the Woodrow Wilson...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Jonathan Alter to discuss the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled "When They Go Marching in Chicago" Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer, and radio host. He is the author of numerous books, including:   His Very Bes...

Dr. Kurt Weyland is the Mike Hogg Professor in Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.  He has conducted original research in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela. Prof. Weyland is the author of seven books, including:  The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies  (Princeton, 2002);  Making Waves: Democratic Contention in Europe and Latin America (...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sanford Levinson to discuss the current state of the Supreme Court, recent efforts by Joe Biden to propose reforms, and how effective these proposals would be in practice. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "The Judges." Sanford Levinson, who holds the W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood, Jr. Centennial Chair in Law, joined the Univer...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Michael Ignatieff to discuss the current state of the institutions of democracy, how they are being questioned by some political movements, and how they can be reformed and strengthened. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Constitution of the Soul." Michael Ignatieff is a historian and the former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He ha...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Joanne Freeman to discuss political violence in the American political landscape from a historical perspective, and disperse some of the myths and misconceptions around it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled "The War of Independence" Joanne Freeman is the Class of 1954 Professor of American History and American Studies at Yale University. She...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by William James to discuss the recent elections in Britain in the context of Brexit, Keir Starmer, and how they reflect the current state of democracy in Britain and beyond. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Sonnet for Our Special Friends." Dr William D. James is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Grand Strategy at King’s College, London. In...

Stephen Vladeck is professor of law at Georgetown University. He is the author of a New York Times bestselling book,  The Shadow Docket . He publishes a widely-read newsletter on the Supreme Court,  One First .

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Kenneth Greene to discuss the recent June elections in Mexico, and how they reflect the current state of democracy in Mexico and beyond. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Across the Moat." Kenneth Greene is Associate Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on democratization, political parties, and...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Isabel Cademartori to discuss the current state of European Democracy and how recent elections have been shaking things up. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Sighing." Isabel Cademartori was elected as a Member of the German Bundestag from Mannheim in 2021. She is a rising young leader in the German government. Cademartori served as a city...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. John W. Hall to discuss the D-Day landing during World War II, and what lessons can be learned from its legacy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "In Leipzig on D-Day." John W. Hall is a professor and holder of the Ambrose-Hesseltine Chair in U.S. Military History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He served fifteen years as an acti...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Marc-William Palen to discuss the history of free trade and associated hopes for international peace. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A World at Sail" Marc-William Palen is a historian at the University of Exeter. His new book,  Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World  (Princeton University Press), was published in earl...

On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sheena Chestnut Greitens to discuss the changing political landscape in China and how that affects their relationship to the United States and other world leaders. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Far Away." Sheena Chestnut Greitens is Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of T...

On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the ongoing university protests across the nation, specifically focusing on the demonstrations at Yale and UT Austin and their impacts on the surrounding environment. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "For Lisa."

On this episode of This is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Art Markman to discuss the growing epidemic of political disillusionment and despair in modern society, and what can be done about it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Pessimist's Apocalypse" Dr. Art Markman is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of T...

On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Milan Vaishnav to discuss the scale and future impact of India's 2024 general election. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Democratic Quest" Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Dr. Vaishnav is the author of: When Crime Pays: M...

On this episode of This is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by documentary filmmaker Paul Stekler to discuss media and politics in the modern age. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "An Appeal for Clarity" Paul Stekler taught at the University of Texas at Austin for many years. He is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose critically praised and award-winning work i...

In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the current status of the Ukraine war in 2024. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "If I Were at War" Dr. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is also a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and chair of the Advisory Council for the Kennan...

In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guest Ellen McCarthy to discuss the problems of disinformation in the world today. Zachary sets this scene with his poem entitled, "Like a Ball of String" Ellen McCarthy is the ChairWoman and CEO of the Truth in Media Cooperative and Noodle Labs. Ms. McCarthy has over three decades of national security service, in a variety of leadership rol...