https://simplecast.com The Context Do you ever watch the news and wonder, “How did we get here?” Or think to yourself, “Things are bad . . . What can I do?” The Context is here to help. Our show breaks down the ideas, history, and trends that are shaping democracy. And you don’t need to be an expert to follow along. Every other Tuesday, host Alex Lovit talks about timely topics with big-picture thinkers and hands-on practitioners, like activists, writers, historians, and community leaders. The topics are heavy, but we try to have fun along the way. To build the future we want, we’ll need knowledge—but also camaraderie and joy. We hope you’ll join us. 2026 The Context a Charles F. Kettering Foundation Podcast en Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Wed, 8 Apr 2026 14:48:19 +0000 https://the-context.simplecast.com The Context https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4511c08f-a78d-4639-970a-0ceb53971bad/cf060cdf-e3a4-4f38-af30-1e799c97e448/3000x3000/the-20context-tdg-logo-20-1080x1080.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://the-context.simplecast.com episodic Do you ever watch the news and wonder, “How did we get here?” Or think to yourself, “Things are bad . . . What can I do?” The Context is here to help. Our show breaks down the ideas, history, and trends that are shaping democracy. And you don’t need to be an expert to follow along. Every other Tuesday, host Alex Lovit talks about timely topics with big-picture thinkers and hands-on practitioners, like activists, writers, historians, and community leaders. The topics are heavy, but we try to have fun along the way. To build the future we want, we’ll need knowledge—but also camaraderie and joy. We hope you’ll join us. Alex Lovit, Charles F. Kettering Foundation false https://feeds.simplecast.com/Zc7ideLH authoritarianism, democracy, inclusive democracy, kettering foundation The Charles F. Kettering Foundation jbell@kettering.org 53293eae-681f-421f-b77e-e16f2cc2c4ba The 14th Amendment Redefined America Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Sherrilyn Ifill) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/the-14th-amendment-redefined-america-afhQlRly The 14th Amendment Redefined America Alex Lovit, Sherrilyn Ifill 00:38:59 In this first episode of our series, “Democracy, Under Construction,” Sherrilyn Ifill joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the Second Founding, when the Reconstruction Amendments—and in particular the 14th Amendment—fundamentally changed American rights and who was defined as American. Birthright citizenship, protections from abuses by state governments, and equality before the law all entered the Constitution following the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868. The “Democracy, Under Construction” series commemorates America’s 250th anniversary by focusing on the moments when our country became a more inclusive democracy and celebrating the historical figures who pushed the country to live up to its ideals. Sherrilyn Ifill is among the most accomplished civil rights lawyers in the United States. She is the Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights at Howard University School of Law and the founding director of the 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy. She previously served as the president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In this first episode of our series, “Democracy, Under Construction,” Sherrilyn Ifill joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the Second Founding, when the Reconstruction Amendments—and in particular the 14th Amendment—fundamentally changed American rights and who was defined as American. Birthright citizenship, protections from abuses by state governments, and equality before the law all entered the Constitution following the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868. The “Democracy, Under Construction” series commemorates America’s 250th anniversary by focusing on the moments when our country became a more inclusive democracy and celebrating the historical figures who pushed the country to live up to its ideals. Sherrilyn Ifill is among the most accomplished civil rights lawyers in the United States. She is the Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights at Howard University School of Law and the founding director of the 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy. She previously served as the president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. reconstruction, inclusive democracy, equality, fourteenth amendment, 14th amendment, birthright citizenship, constitutional law false full 62 ad2d2e17-7ee4-4d4c-af85-8128246b0aa9 Changing Minds Is Hard—Especially Your Own Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Lewis Raven Wallace) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/changing-minds-is-hardespecially-your-own-dM34_G5E Changing Minds Is Hard—Especially Your Own Alex Lovit, Lewis Raven Wallace 00:41:07 Lewis Raven Wallace joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the conditions that make it possible for people to change their minds. Children gradually learn about the world: what to expect from themselves and from others, who is or isn’t part of their social group, and what society looks like. But for adults, learning new ideas requires unlearning old ones first. Wallace has advice for anyone who wants to shift their own perspectives or encourage others to do the same. Lewis Raven Wallace is a journalist. He is the abolition journalism fellow with Interrupting Criminalization. He has written multiple books, including his most recent, Radical Unlearning: The Art and Science of Creating Change from Within. https://www.lewispants.com/ https://www.interruptingcriminalization.com/projects-all/abolition-media Lewis Raven Wallace joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the conditions that make it possible for people to change their minds. Children gradually learn about the world: what to expect from themselves and from others, who is or isn’t part of their social group, and what society looks like. But for adults, learning new ideas requires unlearning old ones first. Wallace has advice for anyone who wants to shift their own perspectives or encourage others to do the same. Lewis Raven Wallace is a journalist. He is the abolition journalism fellow with Interrupting Criminalization. He has written multiple books, including his most recent, Radical Unlearning: The Art and Science of Creating Change from Within. https://www.lewispants.com/ https://www.interruptingcriminalization.com/projects-all/abolition-media prejudice, unlearning, political psychology, psychology, mind change, radical unlearning, bias false full 61 58549466-fad1-4f3d-8fc8-2a69fb74b17f Can the Courts Protect the Ballot? Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Marc Elias) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/can-the-courts-protect-the-ballot-wZ_d1ObZ Can the Courts Protect the Ballot? Alex Lovit, Marc Elias 00:38:49 The decisions judges make during the coming months in various active legal cases will affect who can vote, which districts they vote in, and what political advertising they see—among many other factors. What’s at stake is not just the outcomes of this year’s elections but also the future integrity of democracy in the US. Voting rights attorney Marc Elias joins host Alex Lovit to discuss threats to ballot access in the United States, how lawyers are fighting back, and what the rest of us can do to help. Marc Elias is one of the most experienced and prominent voting rights lawyers in the country. He is the founder of the Elias Law Group and the voting rights media platform, Democracy Docket. https://www.democracydocket.com/ The decisions judges make during the coming months in various active legal cases will affect who can vote, which districts they vote in, and what political advertising they see—among many other factors. What’s at stake is not just the outcomes of this year’s elections but also the future integrity of democracy in the US. Voting rights attorney Marc Elias joins host Alex Lovit to discuss threats to ballot access in the United States, how lawyers are fighting back, and what the rest of us can do to help. Marc Elias is one of the most experienced and prominent voting rights lawyers in the country. He is the founder of the Elias Law Group and the voting rights media platform, Democracy Docket. https://www.democracydocket.com/ save act, inclusive democracy, voting rights, supreme court, election security, elections, voting rights act, constitutional law, election law false full 60 773d9fd5-589e-4d44-942b-3805dbce167f Saying No to Authority When Yes Is Easier Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Sunita Sah, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/saying-no-to-authority-when-yes-is-easier-INxbcoKE Saying No to Authority When Yes Is Easier Sunita Sah, Alex Lovit 00:28:58 As the United States continues to experience democratic backsliding, people are looking for ways to rise to the moment. But what does it take for someone to stay true to their values and say, “no, I refuse to participate in this?” Organizational psychologist Sunita Sah joins host Alex Lovit to discuss why people have more trouble standing up to injustice than they think they will and how we can prepare ourselves to make difficult choices. Sunita Sah is professor of management and organizations at Cornell University's SC Johnson Graduate School of Management and the author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes. https://www.sunitasah.com/ As the United States continues to experience democratic backsliding, people are looking for ways to rise to the moment. But what does it take for someone to stay true to their values and say, “no, I refuse to participate in this?” Organizational psychologist Sunita Sah joins host Alex Lovit to discuss why people have more trouble standing up to injustice than they think they will and how we can prepare ourselves to make difficult choices. Sunita Sah is professor of management and organizations at Cornell University's SC Johnson Graduate School of Management and the author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes. https://www.sunitasah.com/ compliance, defiance, milgram experiments, psychology, resistance false full 59 ccff7e96-d9b9-4f98-a031-4456d5ff642f How Christian Nationalism Undermines Democracy Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Andrew Whitehead) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/how-christian-nationalism-undermines-democracy-isuTYm7k How Christian Nationalism Undermines Democracy Alex Lovit, Andrew Whitehead 00:39:48 Christian nationalists view other religious, cultural, and racial identities as less than fully American. Andrew Whitehead joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the threat that this poses to democracy. Andrew Whitehead is a professor of sociology and executive director of the Association of Religion Data Archives at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He is also a research fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com/ https://www.axismundi.us/podcasts/american-idols https://kettering.org/author/alwhitehead/ Christian nationalists view other religious, cultural, and racial identities as less than fully American. Andrew Whitehead joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the threat that this poses to democracy. Andrew Whitehead is a professor of sociology and executive director of the Association of Religion Data Archives at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He is also a research fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com/ https://www.axismundi.us/podcasts/american-idols https://kettering.org/author/alwhitehead/ religion, inclusive democracy, religious right, christianity, american identity, donald trump, christian nationalism, religious nationalism false full 58 a8340f2d-7289-4f56-9c4d-49bbafde701c In a Polarized Country, Latinos Are Still Making Up Their Minds Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Sergio Garcia-Rios, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/in-a-polarized-country-latinos-are-still-making-up-their-minds-Ud3DPc8Y In a Polarized Country, Latinos Are Still Making Up Their Minds Sergio Garcia-Rios, Alex Lovit 00:35:40 Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States, which means they have growing political influence. In recent elections, Latino voters have been split between the two major parties, with Republicans gaining significant vote share (though not quite a majority) in 2024. Sergio Garcia-Rios joins host Alex Lovit to discuss what Latino Americans want from their government and what to expect in upcoming elections.  Sergio Garcia-Rios is an assistant professor and the associate director for research at the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. He is also the director for polling and data at Univision News.  https://sergiogarciarios.com/   Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States, which means they have growing political influence. In recent elections, Latino voters have been split between the two major parties, with Republicans gaining significant vote share (though not quite a majority) in 2024. Sergio Garcia-Rios joins host Alex Lovit to discuss what Latino Americans want from their government and what to expect in upcoming elections.  Sergio Garcia-Rios is an assistant professor and the associate director for research at the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. He is also the director for polling and data at Univision News.  https://sergiogarciarios.com/   latino americans, inclusive democracy, hispanic americans, latino voters, latino politics false full 57 203faf4d-c679-4982-8a32-eb8eeae4c412 What’s Required for a Free and Fair Election in 2026? Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Samantha Tarazi, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/whats-required-for-a-free-and-fair-election-in-2026-Zv2tbCG0 What’s Required for a Free and Fair Election in 2026? Samantha Tarazi, Alex Lovit 00:44:10 Free and fair elections are an essential component of democracy. But fair elections face a number of threats in the United States right now. Onerous ID and proof of citizenship requirements exclude millions of legal voters. And lack of legal clarity about the process to certify results creates the risks of post-election chaos. Samantha Tarazi joins host Alex Lovit to discuss these and other threats to American elections. Samantha Tarazi is the cofounder and chief executive officer of Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization securing and expanding the freedom to vote in all 50 states since 2017. Her voting and elections policy expertise has been featured in major national and in-state publications. Previously, as the inaugural chief engagement officer at Everytown for Gun Safety, Sam helped grow Moms Demand Action from a Facebook group into a national network of over 55,000 volunteer leaders working to advance gun safety education and policy. https://votingrightslab.org/ https://tracker.votingrightslab.org/ Free and fair elections are an essential component of democracy. But fair elections face a number of threats in the United States right now. Onerous ID and proof of citizenship requirements exclude millions of legal voters. And lack of legal clarity about the process to certify results creates the risks of post-election chaos. Samantha Tarazi joins host Alex Lovit to discuss these and other threats to American elections. Samantha Tarazi is the cofounder and chief executive officer of Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization securing and expanding the freedom to vote in all 50 states since 2017. Her voting and elections policy expertise has been featured in major national and in-state publications. Previously, as the inaugural chief engagement officer at Everytown for Gun Safety, Sam helped grow Moms Demand Action from a Facebook group into a national network of over 55,000 volunteer leaders working to advance gun safety education and policy. https://votingrightslab.org/ https://tracker.votingrightslab.org/ 2026 midterms, elections certification, 2026 midterm elections, voting rights, democracy, elections, midterms false full 56 1a087cd4-c210-4c01-8d2a-9112a0ee1032 You Should Care about the National Archives. Here’s Why. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Colleen Shogan, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/you-should-care-about-the-national-archives-heres-why-HDDisMe4 You Should Care about the National Archives. Here’s Why. Colleen Shogan, Alex Lovit 00:30:12 Transparency is essential to hold democratic governments accountable. That requires preserving documents and making them accessible to the public. Colleen Shogan joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the important role that the National Archives and Records Administration plays in our democracy—and how history shapes national identity. Colleen Shogan served as the 11th Archivist of the United States from 2023 until 2025. She currently serves as the CEO of In Pursuit, a history and civics education initiative from the pro-democracy organization More Perfect. https://www.inpursuit.org/ Transparency is essential to hold democratic governments accountable. That requires preserving documents and making them accessible to the public. Colleen Shogan joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the important role that the National Archives and Records Administration plays in our democracy—and how history shapes national identity. Colleen Shogan served as the 11th Archivist of the United States from 2023 until 2025. She currently serves as the CEO of In Pursuit, a history and civics education initiative from the pro-democracy organization More Perfect. https://www.inpursuit.org/ government accountability, national archives and records administation, government transparency, historical archives, democracy, nara false full 55 b52e3b33-6537-4f4a-8064-774e850da5e0 Seven Ways Anyone Can Fight Authoritarianism Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Sharon Davies, Alex Lovit, Daniel Hunter, Steven Levitsky, Deva Woodly, Maria Stephan, John C. Yang, Ece Temelkuran) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/seven-ways-anyone-can-fight-authoritarianism-j68FJIUi Seven Ways Anyone Can Fight Authoritarianism Sharon Davies, Alex Lovit, Daniel Hunter, Steven Levitsky, Deva Woodly, Maria Stephan, John C. Yang, Ece Temelkuran 00:31:29 We’ve gotten a ton of excellent advice from our guests this year about how everyday people can get involved in fighting authoritarianism and encouraging citizen engagement. So, in this year-end lookback episode, we decided to put the top seven suggestions together in one place. Featuring clips from Ece Temelkuran, Jeffrey Winters, Deva Woodly, Maria Stephan, Sharon Davies, Steven Levitsky, and John C. Yang. We’ve gotten a ton of excellent advice from our guests this year about how everyday people can get involved in fighting authoritarianism and encouraging citizen engagement. So, in this year-end lookback episode, we decided to put the top seven suggestions together in one place. Featuring clips from Ece Temelkuran, Jeffrey Winters, Deva Woodly, Maria Stephan, Sharon Davies, Steven Levitsky, and John C. Yang. resisting authoritarianism, authoritarianism, inclusive democracy, organizing, democracy, 2025, anti-authoritarian organizing, pillars of support false full 54 ab93aa30-c6ce-43a8-972d-a9c647c5ec96 We Are Under Cultural Stress. Art Can Help.

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]]> We Are Under Cultural Stress. Art Can Help. Joy Harjo, Alex Lovit 00:36:55 The news is full of stories of political crisis, and these stories are fed to us with speed and intensity through social media. The threats to democracy are real, but this media environment can leave us anxious, depressed, and helpless. In this episode, Joy Harjo joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how art can help nourish our souls, build our communities, and envision a more equitable and democratic society. Joy Harjo served three terms as the first Native American poet laureate of the United States and has received a National Humanities Medal, among many other awards. She’s written eleven acclaimed volumes of poetry, alongside music albums, memoirs, plays, and children’s books. She serves as the Ruth Yellowhawk Fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.joyharjo.com/ https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/living-nations-living-words/ The news is full of stories of political crisis, and these stories are fed to us with speed and intensity through social media. The threats to democracy are real, but this media environment can leave us anxious, depressed, and helpless. In this episode, Joy Harjo joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how art can help nourish our souls, build our communities, and envision a more equitable and democratic society. Joy Harjo served three terms as the first Native American poet laureate of the United States and has received a National Humanities Medal, among many other awards. She’s written eleven acclaimed volumes of poetry, alongside music albums, memoirs, plays, and children’s books. She serves as the Ruth Yellowhawk Fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.joyharjo.com/ https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/living-nations-living-words/ harjo, poetry, resiliency, racial justice, kettering, context, justice, social justice, native american, joy harjo, healing, art false full 53 6e37cecc-7d21-4a24-83a9-cf70f571f667 American Identity Is Under Attack Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (John C. Yang, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/american-identity-is-under-attack-oEKa4h_E American Identity Is Under Attack John C. Yang, Alex Lovit 00:34:43 The Trump administration is trying to restrict who gets to be an American: who can be in the country, who has citizenship, who has the right to vote, and who can access government services. American identity has always been complicated and contested, but this administration is narrowing the scope in dangerous new ways. John C. Yang joins host Alex Lovit to describe how these policies harm all Americans, and especially the Asian American community, which has been uniquely targeted historically and today. And he outlines what his organization is doing to fight back against this administration’s exclusionary policies. John C. Yang is the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and has filed a number of lawsuits against the Trump administration. https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/ The Trump administration is trying to restrict who gets to be an American: who can be in the country, who has citizenship, who has the right to vote, and who can access government services. American identity has always been complicated and contested, but this administration is narrowing the scope in dangerous new ways. John C. Yang joins host Alex Lovit to describe how these policies harm all Americans, and especially the Asian American community, which has been uniquely targeted historically and today. And he outlines what his organization is doing to fight back against this administration’s exclusionary policies. John C. Yang is the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and has filed a number of lawsuits against the Trump administration. https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/ asian americans, inclusive democracy, voting rights, civil rights, birthright citizenship, immigration false full 52 906a97a5-1e85-4d7f-bcb8-0e03162096dd AI Is Coming for Democracy Tue, 4 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Spencer Overton, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/ai-is-coming-for-democracy-cH5TgLw_ AI Is Coming for Democracy Spencer Overton, Alex Lovit 00:40:02 Recent advances in artificial intelligence have drawn a lot of media attention. But little of this has focused on how this new technology may affect democracy. Spencer Overton joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how AI may push the United States away from becoming an inclusive, multiracial democracy—or toward it. Spencer Overton is the Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law and the director of the Multiracial Democracy Project at George Washington University Law School. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4754903 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5196382 Recent advances in artificial intelligence have drawn a lot of media attention. But little of this has focused on how this new technology may affect democracy. Spencer Overton joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how AI may push the United States away from becoming an inclusive, multiracial democracy—or toward it. Spencer Overton is the Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law and the director of the Multiracial Democracy Project at George Washington University Law School. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4754903 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5196382 artificial intelligence, inclusive democracy, ai and democracy, ai, microtargeting, race, multiracial democracy, race and democracy, deepfakes false full 51 09fd3271-5a0e-430e-96c9-2200c9aa5ff9 Maybe Don’t Get All Your News from Podcasts, America Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Angelo Carusone, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/maybe-dont-get-all-your-news-from-podcasts-america-4HcYyWPK Maybe Don’t Get All Your News from Podcasts, America Angelo Carusone, Alex Lovit 00:41:16 How did right wing voices take over podcasting? Media analyst Angelo Carusone joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how the online media ecosystem came to be dominated by anti-inclusive and authoritarian narratives and what that means for democracy. Angelo Carusone is the president of Media Matters, a nonprofit media watchdog organization. https://www.mediamatters.org/ https://www.mediamatters.org/google/right-dominates-online-media-ecosystem-seeping-sports-comedy-and-other-supposedly https://www.mediamatters.org/tiktok/study-interacting-these-popular-right-leaning-comedy-podcasters-can-turn-your-tiktok-feed How did right wing voices take over podcasting? Media analyst Angelo Carusone joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how the online media ecosystem came to be dominated by anti-inclusive and authoritarian narratives and what that means for democracy. Angelo Carusone is the president of Media Matters, a nonprofit media watchdog organization. https://www.mediamatters.org/ https://www.mediamatters.org/google/right-dominates-online-media-ecosystem-seeping-sports-comedy-and-other-supposedly https://www.mediamatters.org/tiktok/study-interacting-these-popular-right-leaning-comedy-podcasters-can-turn-your-tiktok-feed theo von, online media, right-wing media, podcasts, social media, joe rogan, disinformation, media matters, misinformation false full 50 0441b90e-6ed8-47f3-8891-ffdda0802c41 Nonviolent Resistance Works. Here’s Why. Tue, 7 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Maria Stephan, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/nonviolent-resistance-works-heres-why-qhsv_3Tq Nonviolent Resistance Works. Here’s Why. Maria Stephan, Alex Lovit 00:28:16 Nonviolent movements are more effective at combatting authoritarianism than violent resistance, according to research from today’s guest. Maria Stephan joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the implications of her research for the United States in this moment of political upheaval and growing authoritarianism. Maria Stephan is the co-lead and chief organizer of the Horizons Project. She’s written several books, including co-authoring the award-winning Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. https://horizonsproject.us/ https://freedomtrainers.net/ Nonviolent movements are more effective at combatting authoritarianism than violent resistance, according to research from today’s guest. Maria Stephan joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the implications of her research for the United States in this moment of political upheaval and growing authoritarianism. Maria Stephan is the co-lead and chief organizer of the Horizons Project. She’s written several books, including co-authoring the award-winning Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. https://horizonsproject.us/ https://freedomtrainers.net/ civil resistance, authoritarianism, nonviolence, nonviolent civil resistance, democracy, nonviolent resistance false full 49 a42960c0-6b0f-4634-9452-8eedb05e708b Bonus: Gen Z is Taking Their First Steps onto the Political Stage (from Disrupting Peace podcast) Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Bridget Conley, Alex Edgar, Ruby Belle Booth) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/bonus-gen-z-is-taking-their-first-steps-onto-the-political-stage-from-disrupting-peace-podcast-YEkgY4_a Bonus: Gen Z is Taking Their First Steps onto the Political Stage (from Disrupting Peace podcast) Bridget Conley, Alex Edgar, Ruby Belle Booth 00:43:11 This week, we bring you an episode of the Disrupting Peace podcast, from the World Peace Foundation. In this episode, host Bridget Conley talks with two guests about how Gen Z Americans are—and aren’t—engaging in democracy and what people of all ages can do to encourage the next generation of peaceful leaders. Find more episodes and subscribe here: https://disrupting-peace.captivate.fm/ This week, we bring you an episode of the Disrupting Peace podcast, from the World Peace Foundation. In this episode, host Bridget Conley talks with two guests about how Gen Z Americans are—and aren’t—engaging in democracy and what people of all ages can do to encourage the next generation of peaceful leaders. Find more episodes and subscribe here: https://disrupting-peace.captivate.fm/ gen z, democracy, youth political engagement, peace false bonus 27bb292b-1aad-487b-b0cb-82728cbc3332 What Makes Social Movements Win Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Deva Woodly, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/what-makes-social-movements-win-QUPi7uk4 What Makes Social Movements Win Deva Woodly, Alex Lovit 00:36:43 Deva Woodly joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the importance of social movements for American democracy and the role they can play at this precarious moment in American political history. We need these networks of trust and coordinated action to push the country away from authoritarianism and toward a democracy that works for everyone. Deva Woodly is a scholar of social movements. She is a professor of political science at Brown University and a research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Deva Woodly joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the importance of social movements for American democracy and the role they can play at this precarious moment in American political history. We need these networks of trust and coordinated action to push the country away from authoritarianism and toward a democracy that works for everyone. Deva Woodly is a scholar of social movements. She is a professor of political science at Brown University and a research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. inclusive democracy, democracy, social movements, political change false full 48 f6c2fdba-3e32-4634-b4cf-7d585e1c35b3 Practical Advice for Reclaiming Democracy Tue, 9 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Daniel Hunter, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/practical-advice-for-reclaiming-democracy-7lTaxNjd Practical Advice for Reclaiming Democracy Daniel Hunter, Alex Lovit 00:40:45 Want to know what you can do to fight authoritarianism? Organizer Daniel Hunter joins host Alex Lovit to give practical advice for people seeking to reclaim democracy in the United States. Daniel Hunter has studied authoritarianism and resistance around the world. He is an educator with Freedom Trainers and the director of Choose Democracy. https://choosedemocracy.us/what-can-i-do/ https://freedomtrainers.net/ Want to know what you can do to fight authoritarianism? Organizer Daniel Hunter joins host Alex Lovit to give practical advice for people seeking to reclaim democracy in the United States. Daniel Hunter has studied authoritarianism and resistance around the world. He is an educator with Freedom Trainers and the director of Choose Democracy. https://choosedemocracy.us/what-can-i-do/ https://freedomtrainers.net/ resisting authoritarianism, authoritarianism, nonviolence, resistance, pillars of support false full 47 74017a93-33bf-4465-848b-7f47e49a7390 Why Democracies Unravel Under Leaders Like Trump Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Erica Frantz, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/why-democracies-unravel-under-leaders-like-trump-_sJyi23T Why Democracies Unravel Under Leaders Like Trump Erica Frantz, Alex Lovit 00:40:11 In the United States, today’s Republican Party is what political scientists call “personalist.” Power is concentrated with one individual, and other party elites don’t have much ability—or willingness—to oppose that leader. In other countries around the world, when personalist parties have won control of national government, the result has been democratic backsliding and growing authoritarianism. Understanding why this is a problem for the future of democracy can also help us understand what to do about it. Erica Frantz studies authoritarian politics, with a focus on democratization, democratic backsliding, conflict, and development. She is an associate professor of political science at Michigan State University and a research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. In the United States, today’s Republican Party is what political scientists call “personalist.” Power is concentrated with one individual, and other party elites don’t have much ability—or willingness—to oppose that leader. In other countries around the world, when personalist parties have won control of national government, the result has been democratic backsliding and growing authoritarianism. Understanding why this is a problem for the future of democracy can also help us understand what to do about it. Erica Frantz studies authoritarian politics, with a focus on democratization, democratic backsliding, conflict, and development. She is an associate professor of political science at Michigan State University and a research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. authoritarianism, political polarization, democracy, donald trump, personalism, republican party false full 46 3260a0cc-77a2-4ab1-98a8-a05fa537e416 Authoritarianism Isn’t Coming. It’s Here. Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Steven Levitsky, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/authoritarianism-isnt-coming-its-here-0KbCeGG6 Authoritarianism Isn’t Coming. It’s Here. Steven Levitsky, Alex Lovit 00:37:03 Steven Levitsky, a leading expert on authoritarian regimes, joins host Alex Lovit to talk about the US’s current slide into authoritarianism and what we can do about it. Democracies tolerate dissent. In a democracy, citizens and institutions can criticize, protest, or file legal claims against the government, without fear of reprisal. That is no longer true of the US today, which means that the US is no longer a full democracy. Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and professor of government and director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University. Along with many acclaimed academic works, he is the coauthor (with Daniel Ziblatt) of two bestselling books about threats to democracy: 2018’s How Democracies Die and 2023’s Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point. He is also a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Steven Levitsky, a leading expert on authoritarian regimes, joins host Alex Lovit to talk about the US’s current slide into authoritarianism and what we can do about it. Democracies tolerate dissent. In a democracy, citizens and institutions can criticize, protest, or file legal claims against the government, without fear of reprisal. That is no longer true of the US today, which means that the US is no longer a full democracy. Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and professor of government and director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University. Along with many acclaimed academic works, he is the coauthor (with Daniel Ziblatt) of two bestselling books about threats to democracy: 2018’s How Democracies Die and 2023’s Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point. He is also a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. authoritarianism, trump administration, democracy, competitive authoritarianism, free speech, donald trump false full 45 5dc15262-7d57-461c-ba0b-3fcc395943e7 From Barber to Banker: The Man Fighting for Financial Justice in Little Rock Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Arlo Washington) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/from-barber-to-banker-the-man-fighting-for-financial-justice-in-little-rock-ssw4ayex-wrc3ZrL1 From Barber to Banker: The Man Fighting for Financial Justice in Little Rock Alex Lovit, Arlo Washington 00:33:33 We can’t have a full democracy without financial justice. Host Alex Lovit speaks with Arlo Washington, a banker creating access to loans, credit, and financial literacy training for his underbanked community in Little Rock, Arkansas. Arlo Washington is a barber, entrepreneur, and the founder and president of People Trust Community Federal Credit Union, a Community Development Financial Institution in Little Rock, Arkansas. People Trust is the first Black-owned financial institution established in Arkansas. Washington is also the subject of the 2024 Oscar-nominated short documentary, The Barber of Little Rock. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-documentary/barber-of-little-rock-arlo-washington-wealth-gap https://www.peopletrustloans.org/ We can’t have a full democracy without financial justice. Host Alex Lovit speaks with Arlo Washington, a banker creating access to loans, credit, and financial literacy training for his underbanked community in Little Rock, Arkansas. Arlo Washington is a barber, entrepreneur, and the founder and president of People Trust Community Federal Credit Union, a Community Development Financial Institution in Little Rock, Arkansas. People Trust is the first Black-owned financial institution established in Arkansas. Washington is also the subject of the 2024 Oscar-nominated short documentary, The Barber of Little Rock. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-documentary/barber-of-little-rock-arlo-washington-wealth-gap https://www.peopletrustloans.org/ financial justice, financial injustice, community development financial institutions, redlining, cdfis false full 44 c53608c6-df63-42e8-962d-28227aaa6be6 Only Bad People Have Bad Politics. Right? Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Keith Payne, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/only-bad-people-have-bad-politics-right-3EvGtU_P Only Bad People Have Bad Politics. Right? Keith Payne, Alex Lovit 00:31:14 Americans are constantly arguing about politics—on the internet and at the family dinner table. But we rarely change one another’s minds, and we often emerge from those disagreements feeling frustrated and distrustful. Host Alex Lovit is joined by research psychologist Keith Payne to discuss the science behind the political divide and how the psychology of political disagreements can help us have more productive political conversations. Keith Payne is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. He is the author of The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die and Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide. Americans are constantly arguing about politics—on the internet and at the family dinner table. But we rarely change one another’s minds, and we often emerge from those disagreements feeling frustrated and distrustful. Host Alex Lovit is joined by research psychologist Keith Payne to discuss the science behind the political divide and how the psychology of political disagreements can help us have more productive political conversations. Keith Payne is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina. He is the author of The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die and Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide. polarization, political psychology, dei, group identity false full 42 fb1356e5-9617-4ba8-a34b-380154d7423a The US Doesn’t Have Fair Elections. What Can We Do? Tue, 1 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Sean Morales-Doyle) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/the-us-doesnt-have-fair-elections-what-can-we-do-fvxHyVLm The US Doesn’t Have Fair Elections. What Can We Do? Alex Lovit, Sean Morales-Doyle 00:38:38 Voting rights are the foundation of democratic governance. But recent changes in elections policies have disenfranchised millions of Americans, and the voting gap between White and minority voters is continuing to expand. Host Alex Lovit is joined by Sean Morales-Doyle. Morales-Doyle is the director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-every-american-can-vote Voting rights are the foundation of democratic governance. But recent changes in elections policies have disenfranchised millions of Americans, and the voting gap between White and minority voters is continuing to expand. Host Alex Lovit is joined by Sean Morales-Doyle. Morales-Doyle is the director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-every-american-can-vote save act, john lewis voting rights advancement act, racial voting gap, voting rights, democracy, elections, for the people act, disenfranchisement, voting false full 41 7c894718-161b-4616-b633-1469151b73bb Learning US History Is about Hope, Not Shame Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Annette Gordon-Reed) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-us-history-is-about-hope-not-shame-hBc577EH Learning US History Is about Hope, Not Shame Alex Lovit, Annette Gordon-Reed 00:30:53 Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed joins host Alex Lovit to discuss Juneteenth’s history and the transformative potential of reckoning with our country’s complex past. Annette Gordon-Reed is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard, where she teaches both history and law. She’s the author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family and On Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed joins host Alex Lovit to discuss Juneteenth’s history and the transformative potential of reckoning with our country’s complex past. Annette Gordon-Reed is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard, where she teaches both history and law. She’s the author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family and On Juneteenth. sally hemings, american history, juneteenth, thomas jefferson, history censorship, history, declaration of independence false full 40 353e29a9-586b-4e0f-bd23-4126f42a9831 Trans Kids Are Under Attack. That Hurts Everyone. Tue, 3 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Chase Strangio, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/trans-kids-are-under-attack-that-hurts-everyone-jqoAqjBF Trans Kids Are Under Attack. That Hurts Everyone. Chase Strangio, Alex Lovit 00:36:41 Who should make decisions about what kinds of health care American minors can receive: their parents and doctors, or their state governments? A growing number of states are claiming the right to ban gender-affirming health care for minors—but only if the person being treated is transgender. This month, the Supreme Court will decide if those power grabs are constitutional. Host Alex Lovit is joined by Chase Strangio, one of the lawyers who argued the case in question, United States v. Skrmetti, before the Supreme Court. Their conversation explores the legal reasoning of that case and how American citizens can influence the court and build a society that embraces LGBTQ+ people. Chase Strangio is the codirector of the LGBT & HIV Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. He was one of the advocates who argued the Skrmetti case before the Supreme Court and is the first openly trans lawyer to appear before that court. Who should make decisions about what kinds of health care American minors can receive: their parents and doctors, or their state governments? A growing number of states are claiming the right to ban gender-affirming health care for minors—but only if the person being treated is transgender. This month, the Supreme Court will decide if those power grabs are constitutional. Host Alex Lovit is joined by Chase Strangio, one of the lawyers who argued the case in question, United States v. Skrmetti, before the Supreme Court. Their conversation explores the legal reasoning of that case and how American citizens can influence the court and build a society that embraces LGBTQ+ people. Chase Strangio is the codirector of the LGBT & HIV Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. He was one of the advocates who argued the Skrmetti case before the Supreme Court and is the first openly trans lawyer to appear before that court. trans rights, supreme court, trans healthcare, us v. skrmetti, lgbtq+ rights false full 39 296780bf-3a71-4d09-80ed-4250e080ac9c Sarah Longwell: To Defend Democracy, Stop Talking about “Democracy” Tue, 27 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Sarah Longwell) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/sarah-longwell-to-defend-democracy-stop-talking-about-democracy-4fqOTmVe Sarah Longwell: To Defend Democracy, Stop Talking about “Democracy” Alex Lovit, Sarah Longwell 00:36:29 Pro-democracy progressives are their own worst enemy when it comes to recruiting conservative Americans to their cause. In part two of our conversation, political strategist Sarah Longwell offers suggestions for how to connect with anti-Trump conservatives. Her ideas draw on what she hears from voters in her frequent focus groups, as well as on her experience as a gay conservative fighting for inclusion in American society and politics in the 2010s. Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark and the cofounder and executive director of the advocacy organization Defending Democracy Together. She hosts The Focus Group podcast and is a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.thebulwark.com/ https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/ Pro-democracy progressives are their own worst enemy when it comes to recruiting conservative Americans to their cause. In part two of our conversation, political strategist Sarah Longwell offers suggestions for how to connect with anti-Trump conservatives. Her ideas draw on what she hears from voters in her frequent focus groups, as well as on her experience as a gay conservative fighting for inclusion in American society and politics in the 2010s. Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark and the cofounder and executive director of the advocacy organization Defending Democracy Together. She hosts The Focus Group podcast and is a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.thebulwark.com/ https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/ focus groups, democracy, public opinion, republican party, democratic party false full 38 f2816e52-05d1-49c2-94dc-49503530b076 Sarah Longwell: The Republican Party Has Abandoned Its Principles Tue, 20 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Sarah Longwell) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/sarah-longwell-the-republican-party-has-abandoned-its-principles-UPCrD_U5 Sarah Longwell: The Republican Party Has Abandoned Its Principles Alex Lovit, Sarah Longwell 00:35:19 How did one of our major political parties abandon its principles? And what do voters make of that shift? Host Alex Lovit is joined by Sarah Longwell—a political strategist who broke from the Republican party when it acquiesced to Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. She went on to cofound a media outlet (The Bulwark) and an advocacy organization (Defending Democracy Together) to advance pro-conservative causes. She’s also the host of The Focus Group podcast and a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. Come back next week for part two. https://www.thebulwark.com/ https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/ How did one of our major political parties abandon its principles? And what do voters make of that shift? Host Alex Lovit is joined by Sarah Longwell—a political strategist who broke from the Republican party when it acquiesced to Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. She went on to cofound a media outlet (The Bulwark) and an advocacy organization (Defending Democracy Together) to advance pro-conservative causes. She’s also the host of The Focus Group podcast and a senior fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. Come back next week for part two. https://www.thebulwark.com/ https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/ democracy, political media, donald trump, republican party, conservatism false full 37 0d811011-4a3c-4d70-b0ff-38b812088c61 Diane Ravitch: What’s Democratic about Giving Tax Dollars to Private Schools? Tue, 6 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Diane Ravitch) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/diane-ravitch-whats-democratic-about-giving-tax-dollars-to-private-schools-dfuKrPmh Diane Ravitch: What’s Democratic about Giving Tax Dollars to Private Schools? Alex Lovit, Diane Ravitch 00:36:23 Public schools are essential for democracy—and they’re under attack. But the very policies that are being championed as their salvation may have a catastrophic impact on American education for generations. Public education advocate and historian Diane Ravitch unpacks how school choice policies like vouchers and charter schools are dangerous for democracy. Diane Ravitch is a former assistant secretary in the United States Department of Education. She is the author of several books on the history and policy of American public schools. Her memoir, about her life as a leading public education reformer, will be published this fall. It’s called An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Almost Everything. https://dianeravitch.net/ Public schools are essential for democracy—and they’re under attack. But the very policies that are being championed as their salvation may have a catastrophic impact on American education for generations. Public education advocate and historian Diane Ravitch unpacks how school choice policies like vouchers and charter schools are dangerous for democracy. Diane Ravitch is a former assistant secretary in the United States Department of Education. She is the author of several books on the history and policy of American public schools. Her memoir, about her life as a leading public education reformer, will be published this fall. It’s called An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Almost Everything. https://dianeravitch.net/ public schools, public education, race to the top, school vouchers, civic education, charter schools, democratic education, no child left behind false full 36 cf669b97-b3d5-4a7c-9579-1e3b4f581661 Sharon L. Davies: Someone Has to Be Willing to Say “That’s Not Right” Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Sharon L. Davies, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/sharon-l-davies-someone-has-to-be-willing-to-say-thats-not-right-kmypWiGA Sharon L. Davies: Someone Has to Be Willing to Say “That’s Not Right” Sharon L. Davies, Alex Lovit 00:31:15 US institutions are being pressured into compliance with the Trump administration’s capricious demands. Many law firms, philanthropic organizations, and higher education institutions are choosing the path of least resistance. But will it keep them safe? Sharon L. Davies is the president and chief executive officer of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Davies’ career experiences span both academic and nonacademic fields. From 2017–2021, she was provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Spelman College. She joined Spelman from The Ohio State University, where she was vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. Davies was also a member of OSU’s Moritz College of Law faculty for 22 years, serving as the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. In addition, she directed the university’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity. Davies has an undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a law degree from Columbia University School of Law. https://kettering.org/ US institutions are being pressured into compliance with the Trump administration’s capricious demands. Many law firms, philanthropic organizations, and higher education institutions are choosing the path of least resistance. But will it keep them safe? Sharon L. Davies is the president and chief executive officer of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Davies’ career experiences span both academic and nonacademic fields. From 2017–2021, she was provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Spelman College. She joined Spelman from The Ohio State University, where she was vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. Davies was also a member of OSU’s Moritz College of Law faculty for 22 years, serving as the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. In addition, she directed the university’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity. Davies has an undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a law degree from Columbia University School of Law. https://kettering.org/ universities, democracy, higher education, institutions, charles f. kettering foundation, big law, judicial system, donald trump, kettering foundation false full 35 b31adbfd-07e9-4fdc-b595-7e5c3a14d8e3 Ece Temelkuran: There Is No Hope. There Is Us. That’s It. Tue, 8 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Ece Temelkuran) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/ece-temelkuran-there-is-no-hope-there-is-us-thats-it-ct_I3kCR Ece Temelkuran: There Is No Hope. There Is Us. That’s It. Alex Lovit, Ece Temelkuran 00:36:37 Life under an authoritarian regime can erode one’s faith in humanity. Today's guest says that’s why it’s more important than ever for Americans to lean into building human connection. Ece Temelkuran is a Turkish political thinker, writer, and award-winning journalist. Her two most recent books are How to Lose a Country: Seven Steps from Democracy to Fascism and Together: Ten Choices for a Better Now. https://ecetemelkuran.net/ Life under an authoritarian regime can erode one’s faith in humanity. Today's guest says that’s why it’s more important than ever for Americans to lean into building human connection. Ece Temelkuran is a Turkish political thinker, writer, and award-winning journalist. Her two most recent books are How to Lose a Country: Seven Steps from Democracy to Fascism and Together: Ten Choices for a Better Now. https://ecetemelkuran.net/ authoritarianism, turkey, democracy, erdogan, fascism false full 34 e2abe271-8d4b-4235-a33e-d123e1f46015 Gábor Scheiring: Saving Democracy Is about Saving People Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Gábor Scheiring, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/gabor-scheiring-saving-democracy-is-about-saving-people-rFddTgv9 Gábor Scheiring: Saving Democracy Is about Saving People Gábor Scheiring, Alex Lovit 00:35:58 A former member of the Hungarian Parliament tells us what interventions Americans need to take right now to avoid the authoritarian backsliding that has dismantled democracy in Hungary since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán came to power in 2010. Gábor Scheiring served in the Hungarian Parliament from 2010–2014. He is an assistant professor of comparative politics at Georgetown University, Qatar, and author of The Retreat of Liberal Democracy: Authoritarian Capitalism and the Accumulative State in Hungary. He is also a Charles F. Kettering Global Fellow. https://www.gaborscheiring.com/ https://kettering.org/fellow/gabor-scheiring/ A former member of the Hungarian Parliament tells us what interventions Americans need to take right now to avoid the authoritarian backsliding that has dismantled democracy in Hungary since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán came to power in 2010. Gábor Scheiring served in the Hungarian Parliament from 2010–2014. He is an assistant professor of comparative politics at Georgetown University, Qatar, and author of The Retreat of Liberal Democracy: Authoritarian Capitalism and the Accumulative State in Hungary. He is also a Charles F. Kettering Global Fellow. https://www.gaborscheiring.com/ https://kettering.org/fellow/gabor-scheiring/ fidesz, populism, hungary, democracy, democratic backsliding, zombie democracy, viktor orbán false full 33 e09e3a97-0a06-41b1-b4c9-7360ab664492 Adam Goodman: Why Are Politicians Obsessed with Mass Deportations? Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Adam Goodman, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/adam-goodman-why-are-politicians-obsessed-with-mass-deportations-6D6eCUl2 Adam Goodman: Why Are Politicians Obsessed with Mass Deportations? Adam Goodman, Alex Lovit 00:33:43 Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promised “the largest deportation operation in American history.” Will he be able to achieve this goal? What would this kind of mass deportation look like, and what would its human costs be? And what is the current “largest deportation operation in American history,” anyway? We get answers from Adam Goodman. Goodman is an associate professor in the Department of Latin American and Latino Studies and Department of History at the University of Illinois Chicago, and the author of the award-winning book, The Deportation Machine: America’s Long History of Expelling Immigrants. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691182155/the-deportation-machine https://immpolicytracking.org/ https://www.icirr.org/ https://ndlon.org/ Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promised “the largest deportation operation in American history.” Will he be able to achieve this goal? What would this kind of mass deportation look like, and what would its human costs be? And what is the current “largest deportation operation in American history,” anyway? We get answers from Adam Goodman. Goodman is an associate professor in the Department of Latin American and Latino Studies and Department of History at the University of Illinois Chicago, and the author of the award-winning book, The Deportation Machine: America’s Long History of Expelling Immigrants. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691182155/the-deportation-machine https://immpolicytracking.org/ https://www.icirr.org/ https://ndlon.org/ undocumented immigration, immigration policy, immigration, mass deportation, deportation false full 32 b32e58e8-bb3a-4a9a-85bb-fc1f4cad3ecf Madiba Dennie: The Constitutional Crisis You’re Not Hearing About Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Madiba Dennie, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/madiba-dennie-the-constitutional-crisis-youre-not-hearing-about-OZbivvZr Madiba Dennie: The Constitutional Crisis You’re Not Hearing About Madiba Dennie, Alex Lovit 00:40:38 The Constitution is under attack—and not just by Trump and the executive branch. For a long time, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court have been inconsistently interpreting the Constitution. But our guest, Madiba Dennie, says focusing on their decision-making processes is a trap. She says there’s a better way for concerned citizens to take action against the backsliding of social progress fueled by the Supreme Court. Madiba K. Dennie is an attorney, columnist, and professor whose work focuses on fostering an equitable multiracial democracy. She is the deputy editor and senior contributor at the critical legal commentary website Balls and Strikes and the author of The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back. Dennie previously served as counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, and her legal and political commentary has been featured in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, the BBC, and MSNBC. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353/the-originalism-trap-by-madiba-k-dennie/ The Constitution is under attack—and not just by Trump and the executive branch. For a long time, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court have been inconsistently interpreting the Constitution. But our guest, Madiba Dennie, says focusing on their decision-making processes is a trap. She says there’s a better way for concerned citizens to take action against the backsliding of social progress fueled by the Supreme Court. Madiba K. Dennie is an attorney, columnist, and professor whose work focuses on fostering an equitable multiracial democracy. She is the deputy editor and senior contributor at the critical legal commentary website Balls and Strikes and the author of The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back. Dennie previously served as counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, and her legal and political commentary has been featured in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, the BBC, and MSNBC. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353/the-originalism-trap-by-madiba-k-dennie/ roe v. wade, jury nullification, originalism, supreme court, inclusive constitutionalism, dobbs v. jackson women's health false full 31 6a591d0a-9c7e-4742-9dd9-94b379b2fcd9 William J. Barber II: How an Anti-Poverty Movement Makes Extremists Tremble Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:05:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, William J. Barber) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/william-j-barber-ii-how-an-anti-poverty-movement-makes-extremists-tremble-F2QUKU26 William J. Barber II: How an Anti-Poverty Movement Makes Extremists Tremble Alex Lovit, William J. Barber 00:42:51 The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world, but millions of its citizens live in poverty. What prevents poor, low-wage, and low-wealth Americans from using democratic government to fight for a fairer distribution of resources? And how can they overcome the structures set against them? The answer is counterintuitive, but it's worked on other social issues in the past.  Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, cochair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and a Charles F. Kettering Foundation senior fellow. He is a bishop with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and an executive board member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is also a professor in the practice of public theology and public policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School.  https://breachrepairers.org/our-work/moral-fusion-organizing/  The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world, but millions of its citizens live in poverty. What prevents poor, low-wage, and low-wealth Americans from using democratic government to fight for a fairer distribution of resources? And how can they overcome the structures set against them? The answer is counterintuitive, but it's worked on other social issues in the past.  Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, cochair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and a Charles F. Kettering Foundation senior fellow. He is a bishop with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and an executive board member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is also a professor in the practice of public theology and public policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School.  https://breachrepairers.org/our-work/moral-fusion-organizing/  poverty, repairers of the breach, race and class politics, democracy, poor people's campaign, white poverty, north carolina false full 30 08a2a662-d2ff-4813-bf6a-c99cc6694e79 Jeffrey Winters: How to Beat Oligarchs at Their Own Game Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Jeffrey Winters, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/jeffrey-winters-how-to-beat-oligarchs-at-their-own-game-t99MmSa6 Jeffrey Winters: How to Beat Oligarchs at Their Own Game Jeffrey Winters, Alex Lovit 00:50:08 Why do so many Americans think tax breaks for the uber-wealthy will help the average person? According to Jeffrey Winters, the answer is simple: oligarchy. Today Winters breaks down how massive wealth distorts politics, and what can be done to combat it. Winters is professor of political science and director of the Equality Development and Globalization Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University. His research focuses on oligarchy in the US and around the world, historically and today. His forthcoming book, Domination through Democracy: Why Oligarchs Win, will be published by Penguin Random House later this year. Winters is also an expert on the politics of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. He is an award-winning teacher, and his book Oligarchy (Cambridge, 2011) won the Luebbert Prize in 2012 for the best book in comparative politics from the American Political Science Association. Why do so many Americans think tax breaks for the uber-wealthy will help the average person? According to Jeffrey Winters, the answer is simple: oligarchy. Today Winters breaks down how massive wealth distorts politics, and what can be done to combat it. Winters is professor of political science and director of the Equality Development and Globalization Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University. His research focuses on oligarchy in the US and around the world, historically and today. His forthcoming book, Domination through Democracy: Why Oligarchs Win, will be published by Penguin Random House later this year. Winters is also an expert on the politics of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. He is an award-winning teacher, and his book Oligarchy (Cambridge, 2011) won the Luebbert Prize in 2012 for the best book in comparative politics from the American Political Science Association. taxation, oligarchy, democracy, wealth, inequality, oligarchs, campaign finance, citizens united false full 29 c404ddc5-81eb-44a4-8c34-7bd872e523fd Anthea Butler: What’s Gone Wrong with Evangelical Christianity? Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Anthea Butler, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/anthea-butler-whats-gone-wrong-with-evangelical-christianity-V0bR9XsM Anthea Butler: What’s Gone Wrong with Evangelical Christianity? Anthea Butler, Alex Lovit 00:45:06 The separation of church and state is a foundational principle of American democracy, but that doesn’t mean that religion hasn’t played an important role in American politics. Throughout American history, varied political movements have claimed religious motivations and scriptural justifications, sometimes in contradictory ways (e.g. both to support and oppose systems of racial hierarchy). Today, evangelical Christian institutions are powerful political organizers, often promoting a nationalist and White-exclusive vision of American identity. These ideas have deep historical roots and continue to undermine principles of inclusive democracy today. Anthea Butler is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania. A historian of African American and American religion, Butler’s research and writing spans African American religion and history, race, politics, Evangelicalism, gender and sexuality, media, and popular culture. Butler is the winner of the 2022 Martin Marty Award from the American Academy of Religion. She was a contributor to the book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, and her most recent book is White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America. https://uncpress.org/book/9781469661179/white-evangelical-racism/ https://www.msnbc.com/author/anthea-butler-ncpn840911 The separation of church and state is a foundational principle of American democracy, but that doesn’t mean that religion hasn’t played an important role in American politics. Throughout American history, varied political movements have claimed religious motivations and scriptural justifications, sometimes in contradictory ways (e.g. both to support and oppose systems of racial hierarchy). Today, evangelical Christian institutions are powerful political organizers, often promoting a nationalist and White-exclusive vision of American identity. These ideas have deep historical roots and continue to undermine principles of inclusive democracy today. Anthea Butler is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania. A historian of African American and American religion, Butler’s research and writing spans African American religion and history, race, politics, Evangelicalism, gender and sexuality, media, and popular culture. Butler is the winner of the 2022 Martin Marty Award from the American Academy of Religion. She was a contributor to the book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, and her most recent book is White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America. https://uncpress.org/book/9781469661179/white-evangelical-racism/ https://www.msnbc.com/author/anthea-butler-ncpn840911 evangelical christianity, prosperity gospel, evangelicalism false full 28 96d9d1e4-a03e-46bb-ac15-80cb8671f330 Special Episode: How Novels Defend Democracy Tue, 31 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, James Comey, Stacey Abrams, David Pepper) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/special-episode-how-novels-defend-democracy-KaNC6aF5 Special Episode: How Novels Defend Democracy Alex Lovit, James Comey, Stacey Abrams, David Pepper 00:15:24 This special episode of The Context includes voices from three previous guests on the show: James Comey, Stacey Abrams, and David Pepper. All three have had significant careers in public service, and all three have also written multiple novels. In these short excerpts, they all also argue that their creative writing is a method to communicate some of their knowledge and insights about democracy and public institutions. James Comey spent many years in public service, culminating in serving as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 until 2017. He is also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. He’s written three novels, including one that will be published next year. Stacey Abrams served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 until 2017, including six years as minority leader. She ran two celebrated gubernatorial campaigns in Georgia in 2018 and 2022. She’s written eleven novels. David Pepper is a former elected official and an adjunct law professor who served as chair of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2015 until 2021. He is also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. He’s written six novels. https://jamescomeybooks.com/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2214766/stacey-abrams/ https://davidpepper.com/ https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel This special episode of The Context includes voices from three previous guests on the show: James Comey, Stacey Abrams, and David Pepper. All three have had significant careers in public service, and all three have also written multiple novels. In these short excerpts, they all also argue that their creative writing is a method to communicate some of their knowledge and insights about democracy and public institutions. James Comey spent many years in public service, culminating in serving as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 until 2017. He is also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. He’s written three novels, including one that will be published next year. Stacey Abrams served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 until 2017, including six years as minority leader. She ran two celebrated gubernatorial campaigns in Georgia in 2018 and 2022. She’s written eleven novels. David Pepper is a former elected official and an adjunct law professor who served as chair of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2015 until 2021. He is also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. He’s written six novels. https://jamescomeybooks.com/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2214766/stacey-abrams/ https://davidpepper.com/ https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel democracy and the arts, political fiction, political thrillers, fiction, novels false full 27 6b160c0e-8c90-4da4-82b4-47c4bb5af4e8 Donald Moynihan: Friction, Frustrations, and Fear in Government Bureaucracies Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Donald Moynihan, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/donald-moynihan-friction-frustrations-and-fear-in-government-bureaucracies-Fg6zlWI6 Donald Moynihan: Friction, Frustrations, and Fear in Government Bureaucracies Donald Moynihan, Alex Lovit 00:40:59 “Administrative burdens” is a term for the frictions people experience when interacting with government—learning how a program works, taking the time to fill out paperwork, and experiencing the frustrations and shame that can come from the process. Sometimes this is accidental—just the result of a bureaucracy failing to think through how it interacts with citizens. But it can also be purposeful—a way for politicians and policymakers to limit or direct programs without openly admitting to it. In this conversation, Donald Moynihan describes how administrative burdens affect how citizens experience government agencies and how interactions between the three branches of federal government can get in the way of efficient and effective public service. Donald Moynihan is a public policy professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and codirects the Better Government Lab at Georgetown University. He previously served as the McCourt Chair for Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and as director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School. His work focuses on the administrative burdens citizens encounter during interactions with government. In addition to his research, Moynihan is the president of the Association for Public Policy and Management. https://donmoynihan.substack.com/ “Administrative burdens” is a term for the frictions people experience when interacting with government—learning how a program works, taking the time to fill out paperwork, and experiencing the frustrations and shame that can come from the process. Sometimes this is accidental—just the result of a bureaucracy failing to think through how it interacts with citizens. But it can also be purposeful—a way for politicians and policymakers to limit or direct programs without openly admitting to it. In this conversation, Donald Moynihan describes how administrative burdens affect how citizens experience government agencies and how interactions between the three branches of federal government can get in the way of efficient and effective public service. Donald Moynihan is a public policy professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and codirects the Better Government Lab at Georgetown University. He previously served as the McCourt Chair for Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and as director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School. His work focuses on the administrative burdens citizens encounter during interactions with government. In addition to his research, Moynihan is the president of the Association for Public Policy and Management. https://donmoynihan.substack.com/ loper bright, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, administration, administrative burdens, chevron deference, bureaucracy false full 26 cfb1172e-2827-44a5-aef6-427c7c242166 Hahrie Han: Belonging Comes Before Belief Tue, 3 Dec 2024 11:54:57 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Harhie Han, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/hahrie-han-belonging-comes-before-belief-ulsgchfm-dSqJS_pQ Hahrie Han: Belonging Comes Before Belief Harhie Han, Alex Lovit 00:50:35 In 2015, Crossroads Church, a majority-White evangelical megachurch based in Cincinnati, Ohio, launched a new program to address racial division and racism. In this episode, Hahrie Han discusses her new book Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church, which tells the story of this program and its participants, many of whom changed their thinking, behavior, and relationships after taking part. The impact of Crossroads’s Undivided program demonstrates some of the elements of successful antiracist organizing —or organizing in general. These elements include sustained commitment, building relationships across difference, and empowering people to find their own solutions. Hahrie Han is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Professor of Political Science, the inaugural director of the SNF Agora Institute, and the director of the P3 research lab at Johns Hopkins University. An elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she has published four previous books. She was named a 2022 Social Innovation Thought Leader of the Year by the World Economic Forum’s Schwab Foundation. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Republic, among other national publications. The daughter of Korean immigrants, she lives in Baltimore, Maryland. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669326/undivided-by-hahrie-han/ In 2015, Crossroads Church, a majority-White evangelical megachurch based in Cincinnati, Ohio, launched a new program to address racial division and racism. In this episode, Hahrie Han discusses her new book Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church, which tells the story of this program and its participants, many of whom changed their thinking, behavior, and relationships after taking part. The impact of Crossroads’s Undivided program demonstrates some of the elements of successful antiracist organizing —or organizing in general. These elements include sustained commitment, building relationships across difference, and empowering people to find their own solutions. Hahrie Han is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Professor of Political Science, the inaugural director of the SNF Agora Institute, and the director of the P3 research lab at Johns Hopkins University. An elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she has published four previous books. She was named a 2022 Social Innovation Thought Leader of the Year by the World Economic Forum’s Schwab Foundation. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Republic, among other national publications. The daughter of Korean immigrants, she lives in Baltimore, Maryland. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669326/undivided-by-hahrie-han/ inclusion, church, inclusive democracy, democratic institutions, democracy, crossroads church, cincinnati, ohio false full 25 4f88627a-0b04-43ea-8de6-3a371122c6b0 Chris Matthews: The Election’s Over. Now What? Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Chris Matthews) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/chris-matthews-the-elections-over-now-what-EXClXPSF Chris Matthews: The Election’s Over. Now What? Alex Lovit, Chris Matthews 00:30:22 Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. He will enter the White House with his party in control of both the House and Senate and with a Supreme Court mostly composed of Republican appointments. This election will have real impacts on American policy, which will not only change the lives of Americans, but also reverberate around the world, from Ukraine to Israel to Taiwan. Early signs of what to expect from the incoming Trump administration, and the new Republican-controlled federal government more generally, can be seen in who Trump appoints to high-level positions in the White House and who wins leadership in the Senate. And until the next election, public reaction to these and other actions will be the best way for politicians, the media, and citizens to influence government. Chris Matthews began his career in politics, including serving as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and as administrative assistant to Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr. But for most of the last 40 years, Matthews has been a journalist. He has been a syndicated columnist for the San Francisco Examiner, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Washington Monthly. Most famously, he was the news anchor of Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC from 1994 until 2020. He’s written ten books and holds 34 honorary degrees. He’s also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. He will enter the White House with his party in control of both the House and Senate and with a Supreme Court mostly composed of Republican appointments. This election will have real impacts on American policy, which will not only change the lives of Americans, but also reverberate around the world, from Ukraine to Israel to Taiwan. Early signs of what to expect from the incoming Trump administration, and the new Republican-controlled federal government more generally, can be seen in who Trump appoints to high-level positions in the White House and who wins leadership in the Senate. And until the next election, public reaction to these and other actions will be the best way for politicians, the media, and citizens to influence government. Chris Matthews began his career in politics, including serving as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and as administrative assistant to Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr. But for most of the last 40 years, Matthews has been a journalist. He has been a syndicated columnist for the San Francisco Examiner, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Washington Monthly. Most famously, he was the news anchor of Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC from 1994 until 2020. He’s written ten books and holds 34 honorary degrees. He’s also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. false full 23 1b065aa7-5361-43be-9da8-e8e766048cce Roberto Saba & Steven Levitsky: Elections Have Consequences—Just Ask Argentina Tue, 5 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Steven Levitsky, Roberto Saba, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/roberto-saba-steven-levitsky-elections-have-consequencesjust-ask-argentina-wSsq9gKQ Roberto Saba & Steven Levitsky: Elections Have Consequences—Just Ask Argentina Steven Levitsky, Roberto Saba, Alex Lovit 00:42:51 Argentina’s constitution is among the oldest democratic constitutions in the world, and in significant respects it was modeled after the constitution of the United States. But Argentine democracy hasn’t always been stable. Between the 1930s and 1970s, the government was overturned by military coups six times. Even when there have been free and fair elections, some elected leaders have governed as authoritarians. This experience of dictatorship is a source of trauma for Argentinian citizens—and also a source for the rebuilding and resilience of democracy since 1983. This conversation with Roberto Saba and Steven Levitsky explores the history of Argentine democracy and some of the parallels the country shares with the United States. Roberto Saba obtained his law degree (JD) at Buenos Aires University and his Master’s (LLM) and doctoral (JSD) degrees at Yale Law School. He was the cofounder of the Association for Civil Rights (an organization inspired by the American ACLU) and served as its executive director (2000-2009). He was also executive director of Citizen Power Foundation, Transparency International’s Chapter in Argentina (1995-1998), and dean of Palermo University School of Law (2009-2016). Saba is currently a professor of constitutional law at Buenos Aires University and at Palermo University Law Schools. Saba has published on a wide variety of subjects, including deliberative democracy, judicial review, constitutional theory, freedom of expression, freedom of information and structural inequality. His connection with the Kettering Foundation began in 1992, when he served as an international fellow at the foundation. Since then, he has participated in numerous Kettering seminars and workshops. He is currently a board member of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Steven Levitsky is David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and professor of government at Harvard University, director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard, and a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. His research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism. He and Daniel Ziblatt are authors of How Democracies Die (2018) and Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point (2023), both of which were New York Times bestsellers. Argentina’s constitution is among the oldest democratic constitutions in the world, and in significant respects it was modeled after the constitution of the United States. But Argentine democracy hasn’t always been stable. Between the 1930s and 1970s, the government was overturned by military coups six times. Even when there have been free and fair elections, some elected leaders have governed as authoritarians. This experience of dictatorship is a source of trauma for Argentinian citizens—and also a source for the rebuilding and resilience of democracy since 1983. This conversation with Roberto Saba and Steven Levitsky explores the history of Argentine democracy and some of the parallels the country shares with the United States. Roberto Saba obtained his law degree (JD) at Buenos Aires University and his Master’s (LLM) and doctoral (JSD) degrees at Yale Law School. He was the cofounder of the Association for Civil Rights (an organization inspired by the American ACLU) and served as its executive director (2000-2009). He was also executive director of Citizen Power Foundation, Transparency International’s Chapter in Argentina (1995-1998), and dean of Palermo University School of Law (2009-2016). Saba is currently a professor of constitutional law at Buenos Aires University and at Palermo University Law Schools. Saba has published on a wide variety of subjects, including deliberative democracy, judicial review, constitutional theory, freedom of expression, freedom of information and structural inequality. His connection with the Kettering Foundation began in 1992, when he served as an international fellow at the foundation. Since then, he has participated in numerous Kettering seminars and workshops. He is currently a board member of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Steven Levitsky is David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and professor of government at Harvard University, director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard, and a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. His research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism. He and Daniel Ziblatt are authors of How Democracies Die (2018) and Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point (2023), both of which were New York Times bestsellers. argentine democracy, juan peron, argentinian democracy, argentina, javier milei false full 22 df0d25c3-18f9-4ee0-9eed-871fcd0f7d2d Donald Moynihan: Project 2025’s Threat to Democracy | SPECIAL EPISODE Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Don Moynihan, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/donald-moynihan-project-2025s-threat-to-democracy-pRqdFQlM Donald Moynihan: Project 2025’s Threat to Democracy | SPECIAL EPISODE Don Moynihan, Alex Lovit 00:38:53 Project 2025 is a transition plan for a second Trump administration created by the Heritage Foundation, along with other conservative organizations. Heritage has created similar documents for presidential transitions every four years since 1980. One aspect of Project 2025, which is distinct from these previous iterations, is a focus on personnel policy. Near the end of the first Trump administration, the White House issued an executive order establishing a new classification of federal bureaucrats, Schedule F. The intent was to allow the president to exercise more control over career civil servants by exempting them from civil service protections and making it easier for the president to fire them. Project 2025 seeks to take advantage of Schedule F by creating a list of vetted conservatives who can replace, or credibly threaten to replace, employees who previously would have been considered non-political. This would likely have negative effects both on the quality and efficiency of government services, and on democratic accountability. Donald Moynihan is a public policy professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and codirects the Better Government Lab at Georgetown University. He previously served as the McCourt Chair for Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and as director of University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School. His work focuses on the administrative burdens citizens encounter during interactions with government. In addition to his research, Moynihan is the president of Association for Public Policy and Management. https://donmoynihan.substack.com/ Project 2025 is a transition plan for a second Trump administration created by the Heritage Foundation, along with other conservative organizations. Heritage has created similar documents for presidential transitions every four years since 1980. One aspect of Project 2025, which is distinct from these previous iterations, is a focus on personnel policy. Near the end of the first Trump administration, the White House issued an executive order establishing a new classification of federal bureaucrats, Schedule F. The intent was to allow the president to exercise more control over career civil servants by exempting them from civil service protections and making it easier for the president to fire them. Project 2025 seeks to take advantage of Schedule F by creating a list of vetted conservatives who can replace, or credibly threaten to replace, employees who previously would have been considered non-political. This would likely have negative effects both on the quality and efficiency of government services, and on democratic accountability. Donald Moynihan is a public policy professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and codirects the Better Government Lab at Georgetown University. He previously served as the McCourt Chair for Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and as director of University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School. His work focuses on the administrative burdens citizens encounter during interactions with government. In addition to his research, Moynihan is the president of Association for Public Policy and Management. https://donmoynihan.substack.com/ schedule f, administrative state, civil service, heritage foundation, project 2025 false full 21 268aa1e7-7fe3-4ecb-bf06-72f87ab97eef Melissa Murray: For the Supreme Court, Dobbs Was Just the Beginning Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Melissa Murray) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/melissa-murray-for-the-supreme-court-dobbs-was-just-the-beginning-QZ3WXjVg Melissa Murray: For the Supreme Court, Dobbs Was Just the Beginning Alex Lovit, Melissa Murray 00:45:42 For 49 years, from 1973 until 2022, the Supreme Court declared that the US Constitution protected abortion rights. With this precedent overturned, decision making about reproductive rights now resides with state governments. But the court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization relied on a partial and inaccurate understanding of American history, and its claims to be a pro-democracy decision were disingenuous. Dobbs is just one example of the court smashing precedents in the last few years. Melissa Murray is the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at New York University, where she specializes in family law, constitutional law, and reproductive rights and justice. She has written for a wide range of academic journals and popular publications and regularly provides legal commentary for several major media outlets. Her credits include the Harvard Law Review, the Yale Law Journal, the New York Times, Washington Post, and many others. She’s a legal analyst at MSNBC and is also one of the cohosts of the podcast Strict Scrutiny, which focuses on the Supreme Court. https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/ https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250881397/thefallofroe For 49 years, from 1973 until 2022, the Supreme Court declared that the US Constitution protected abortion rights. With this precedent overturned, decision making about reproductive rights now resides with state governments. But the court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization relied on a partial and inaccurate understanding of American history, and its claims to be a pro-democracy decision were disingenuous. Dobbs is just one example of the court smashing precedents in the last few years. Melissa Murray is the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at New York University, where she specializes in family law, constitutional law, and reproductive rights and justice. She has written for a wide range of academic journals and popular publications and regularly provides legal commentary for several major media outlets. Her credits include the Harvard Law Review, the Yale Law Journal, the New York Times, Washington Post, and many others. She’s a legal analyst at MSNBC and is also one of the cohosts of the podcast Strict Scrutiny, which focuses on the Supreme Court. https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/ https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250881397/thefallofroe roe v. wade, reproductive rights, supreme court, democracy, stare decisis, abortion, dobbs v. jackson women's health false full 20 a794d845-a1b2-43e9-8241-fcc2864db311 María Teresa Kumar: Latinos and America’s Promise Tue, 8 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (The Charles F. Kettering Foundation) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/maria-teresa-kumar-latinos-and-americas-promise-4OfZIDDq María Teresa Kumar: Latinos and America’s Promise The Charles F. Kettering Foundation 00:53:35 Latinos are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States and are now the second-largest ethnic group in the country. Growing diversity shouldn’t be a challenge to democracy—no race or culture holds a monopoly on self-government. But Latinos are disproportionately young, and like other young voters, they often vote at lower rates and can benefit from being explicitly invited to participate in elections and other democratic practices. Latinos also have a particular set of shared interests. Unfortunately, elected politicians often seem more concerned with placing barriers on voter registration and the ballot than they are with attending to a changing electorate’s democratic preferences. These are all issues that this episode’s guest—María Teresa Kumar—has spent her career working to address. María Teresa Kumar is the president of Voto Latino, an organization she cofounded with actor Rosario Dawson in 2004, and is today the largest Latino voter registration organization in the United States. Kumar also heads the Voto Latino Foundation, an influential Latino youth advocacy organization. She served on President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and is a member of several important organizations, including the National Task Force on Election Crises and the Council on Foreign Relations. She’s also a Kettering Foundation senior fellow. https://votolatino.org/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/06/china-russia-republican-party-relations/678271/ Latinos are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States and are now the second-largest ethnic group in the country. Growing diversity shouldn’t be a challenge to democracy—no race or culture holds a monopoly on self-government. But Latinos are disproportionately young, and like other young voters, they often vote at lower rates and can benefit from being explicitly invited to participate in elections and other democratic practices. Latinos also have a particular set of shared interests. Unfortunately, elected politicians often seem more concerned with placing barriers on voter registration and the ballot than they are with attending to a changing electorate’s democratic preferences. These are all issues that this episode’s guest—María Teresa Kumar—has spent her career working to address. María Teresa Kumar is the president of Voto Latino, an organization she cofounded with actor Rosario Dawson in 2004, and is today the largest Latino voter registration organization in the United States. Kumar also heads the Voto Latino Foundation, an influential Latino youth advocacy organization. She served on President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and is a member of several important organizations, including the National Task Force on Election Crises and the Council on Foreign Relations. She’s also a Kettering Foundation senior fellow. https://votolatino.org/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/06/china-russia-republican-party-relations/678271/ false full 19 adf835ae-634c-47c7-9730-1107baebe1df Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg & Ruby Belle Booth: Will Gen Z Vote? Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Ruby Belle Booth, Alex Lovit, Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/kei-kawashima-ginsberg-ruby-belle-booth-will-gen-z-vote-bUUnB2Qs Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg & Ruby Belle Booth: Will Gen Z Vote? Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Ruby Belle Booth, Alex Lovit, Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement 00:57:59 For democracy to endure, democratic institutions and values must be passed from one generation to the next. And there’s plenty of good news about how Gen Z—the youngest and most diverse generation of voters—is engaging in politics. Young people are participating and voting at levels at least equal to previous generations. But there are reasons for concern too: Many Americans are growing up in civic deserts, without access to political associations or other forms of collective action. Many of Gen Z are struggling to find a stable political home in the two-party system. And Gen Z is also experiencing a mental health crisis, which is interrelated in complex ways to declines in associational life and political alienation. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg is the Newhouse Director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), which aims to expand pathways to civic learning and engagement. Kawashima-Ginsberg also serves on the boards of March for Our Lives and Rhizome. Ruby Belle Booth started at CIRCLE as a Diverse Democracy Fellow, then transitioned to working as Election Coordinator, and is now a Researcher. She contributes to CIRCLE’S Growing Voters report and the Young Leaders Learning Community. Booth was also a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice. https://circle.tufts.edu/ For democracy to endure, democratic institutions and values must be passed from one generation to the next. And there’s plenty of good news about how Gen Z—the youngest and most diverse generation of voters—is engaging in politics. Young people are participating and voting at levels at least equal to previous generations. But there are reasons for concern too: Many Americans are growing up in civic deserts, without access to political associations or other forms of collective action. Many of Gen Z are struggling to find a stable political home in the two-party system. And Gen Z is also experiencing a mental health crisis, which is interrelated in complex ways to declines in associational life and political alienation. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg is the Newhouse Director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), which aims to expand pathways to civic learning and engagement. Kawashima-Ginsberg also serves on the boards of March for Our Lives and Rhizome. Ruby Belle Booth started at CIRCLE as a Diverse Democracy Fellow, then transitioned to working as Election Coordinator, and is now a Researcher. She contributes to CIRCLE’S Growing Voters report and the Young Leaders Learning Community. Booth was also a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice. https://circle.tufts.edu/ gen z, democracy, civic education, youth political engagement false full 18 1e17015c-4392-447b-bfd6-cea61a12e5ce Rachel Kleinfeld: US Systems Amplify Polarization—But They Don’t Have To Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Rachel Kleinfeld) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/rachel-kleinfeld-us-systems-amplify-polarizationbut-they-dont-have-to-WvxkAVGv Rachel Kleinfeld: US Systems Amplify Polarization—But They Don’t Have To Alex Lovit, Rachel Kleinfeld 00:49:54 In a democracy, we resolve political disagreements through elections rather than through physical force. Political violence is a threat to democratic societies – but it can also be connected to a complex range of other political and social problems, including corruption, polarization, social division, and limitations on free speech. These are not easy problems to solve, but the United States can learn from international examples – both about what can go wrong in democracies, and also how structural reforms can help to discourage violence and other forms of extremism. Rachel Kleinfeld is a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. She is an expert on how democracies can improve, particularly in countries facing polarization, violence, and corruption. She has written three books, contributes regularly to major media outlets, and often briefs the US government and allied democracies on issues at the intersection of democracy, security, and the rule of law. Kleinfeld serves on the boards of the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, and States United Democracy Center, and on the advisory board of Protect Democracy. https://carnegieendowment.org/people/rachel-kleinfeld?lang=en https://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_kleinfeld_a_path_to_security_for_the_world_s_deadliest_countries/transcript?subtitle=en In a democracy, we resolve political disagreements through elections rather than through physical force. Political violence is a threat to democratic societies – but it can also be connected to a complex range of other political and social problems, including corruption, polarization, social division, and limitations on free speech. These are not easy problems to solve, but the United States can learn from international examples – both about what can go wrong in democracies, and also how structural reforms can help to discourage violence and other forms of extremism. Rachel Kleinfeld is a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. She is an expert on how democracies can improve, particularly in countries facing polarization, violence, and corruption. She has written three books, contributes regularly to major media outlets, and often briefs the US government and allied democracies on issues at the intersection of democracy, security, and the rule of law. Kleinfeld serves on the boards of the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, and States United Democracy Center, and on the advisory board of Protect Democracy. https://carnegieendowment.org/people/rachel-kleinfeld?lang=en https://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_kleinfeld_a_path_to_security_for_the_world_s_deadliest_countries/transcript?subtitle=en political polarization, affective polarization, democracy, democratic backsliding, political violence false full 17 366ad4c7-42e7-4d78-9102-f663603c9b8f Christine Todd Whitman: One-Party Governance is Not Healthy Democracy Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Christine Todd Whitman) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/christine-todd-whitman-V030uhuI Christine Todd Whitman: One-Party Governance is Not Healthy Democracy Alex Lovit, Christine Todd Whitman 00:49:33 Democracy should work for everyone. Christine Todd Whitman explains how political parties are more concerned with maintaining power than solving problems for everyday people. She discusses the factors underlying American political dysfunction, including the growth of political parties, noncompetitive districts, and money in politics. Christine Todd Whitman is president of Whitman Strategy Group. She served as the 50th and first woman governor of New Jersey and as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during George W. Bush’s presidency. She is the author of It’s My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America. In addition to cochairing several organizations, including the States United Democracy Center and the Forward Party, she is a Kettering Foundation senior fellow. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/294063/its-my-party-too-by-christine-todd-whitman/ Democracy should work for everyone. Christine Todd Whitman explains how political parties are more concerned with maintaining power than solving problems for everyday people. She discusses the factors underlying American political dysfunction, including the growth of political parties, noncompetitive districts, and money in politics. Christine Todd Whitman is president of Whitman Strategy Group. She served as the 50th and first woman governor of New Jersey and as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during George W. Bush’s presidency. She is the author of It’s My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America. In addition to cochairing several organizations, including the States United Democracy Center and the Forward Party, she is a Kettering Foundation senior fellow. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/294063/its-my-party-too-by-christine-todd-whitman/ policy, power, democracy false full 16 5bcae04a-f96d-48f8-937d-f41917c776f7 Stacey Abrams: DEI Is In America's DNA Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Stacey Abrams) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/stacey-abrams-596V_W_N Stacey Abrams: DEI Is In America's DNA Alex Lovit, Stacey Abrams 00:50:47 American history is a story about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Stacey Abrams discusses why Americans should embrace and defend DEI as democratic values. She explains how DEI benefits all Americans, expanding participation in our democracy and access to the American dream. Stacey Abrams is a political leader, lawyer, voting rights activist, and bestselling author. Abrams served in the Georgia House of Representatives for over a decade and as the Minority Leader from 2011-2017. As Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, she became the first Black woman to win a major party’s gubernatorial nomination. She is the inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics at Howard University and CEO of Sage Works Productions. Abrams has launched several organizations to protect and advance democracy, including Fair Fight Action, the Southern Economic Advancement Project, and most recently, American Pride Rises. American history is a story about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Stacey Abrams discusses why Americans should embrace and defend DEI as democratic values. She explains how DEI benefits all Americans, expanding participation in our democracy and access to the American dream. Stacey Abrams is a political leader, lawyer, voting rights activist, and bestselling author. Abrams served in the Georgia House of Representatives for over a decade and as the Minority Leader from 2011-2017. As Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, she became the first Black woman to win a major party’s gubernatorial nomination. She is the inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics at Howard University and CEO of Sage Works Productions. Abrams has launched several organizations to protect and advance democracy, including Fair Fight Action, the Southern Economic Advancement Project, and most recently, American Pride Rises. inclusion, equity, democracy, patriotism, american pride, dei, history, diversity false full 15 71309671-9a64-4559-9858-780e23cdc992 Alexander Vindman: Stop Giving Demagogues Permission Slips Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Alexander Vindman) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/alexander-vindman-jN39kYNk Alexander Vindman: Stop Giving Demagogues Permission Slips Alex Lovit, Alexander Vindman 00:54:48 American democracy relies on nonpartisan civil servants to detect and combat corruption. Alexander Vindman was one such civil servant when he reported abuses of power by former President Trump, resulting in Vindman being fired from the federal government and retiring from the armed forces. Vindman discusses what a second Trump administration and Project 2025 would mean not only for democracy in the US, but also in Ukraine. Vindman explains the history of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and its implications for global democracy. Alexander Vindman is a retired US Army lieutenant colonel and an expert in national security. He has previously served as the director for European affairs on the United States National Security Council, the political-military affairs officer for Russia at the Pentagon, and as an attaché at the American embassies in Moscow and Kyiv. In addition to being a Hauser Leader at Harvard University and a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s Foreign Policy Institute, he is a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. American democracy relies on nonpartisan civil servants to detect and combat corruption. Alexander Vindman was one such civil servant when he reported abuses of power by former President Trump, resulting in Vindman being fired from the federal government and retiring from the armed forces. Vindman discusses what a second Trump administration and Project 2025 would mean not only for democracy in the US, but also in Ukraine. Vindman explains the history of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and its implications for global democracy. Alexander Vindman is a retired US Army lieutenant colonel and an expert in national security. He has previously served as the director for European affairs on the United States National Security Council, the political-military affairs officer for Russia at the Pentagon, and as an attaché at the American embassies in Moscow and Kyiv. In addition to being a Hauser Leader at Harvard University and a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s Foreign Policy Institute, he is a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. democracy, russia, alexander vindman, ukraine, military, project 2025 false full 14 fdc26d95-9e55-47b1-98f3-f209ca0a1475 Neal Katyal: SCOTUS Is Delegitimizing Itself Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Neal Katyal) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/neal-katyal-UWfn_zh4 Neal Katyal: SCOTUS Is Delegitimizing Itself Alex Lovit, Neal Katyal 00:57:41 The Supreme Court does not belong in the crosshairs of the American political debate. Neal Katyal discusses how the court’s rush to decide social controversies and overturn foundational precedents is damaging its legitimacy. Katyal addresses the court’s recent decisions concerning presidential immunity and regulatory agencies and their implications for American democracy. Neal Katyal is the Paul and Patricia Saunders Professor of National Security Law at Georgetown University and a partner at Hogan Lovells. He previously served as acting solicitor general of the United States. Katyal has argued 50+ cases before the Supreme Court, which is more than any other minority attorney in US history. He is also a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. Links https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300032994/the-least-dangerous-branch/ The Supreme Court does not belong in the crosshairs of the American political debate. Neal Katyal discusses how the court’s rush to decide social controversies and overturn foundational precedents is damaging its legitimacy. Katyal addresses the court’s recent decisions concerning presidential immunity and regulatory agencies and their implications for American democracy. Neal Katyal is the Paul and Patricia Saunders Professor of National Security Law at Georgetown University and a partner at Hogan Lovells. He previously served as acting solicitor general of the United States. Katyal has argued 50+ cases before the Supreme Court, which is more than any other minority attorney in US history. He is also a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. Links https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300032994/the-least-dangerous-branch/ presidential immunity, scotus, separation of powers, supreme court, democracy false full 13 f710b2ce-beb9-45c9-b29a-56e65c21afd3 Alan Jenkins & Gan Golan: Reimagining Democracy Through Art Tue, 2 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alan Jenkins, Gan Golan, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/alan-jenkins-gan-golan-9qSM9w7O Alan Jenkins & Gan Golan: Reimagining Democracy Through Art Alan Jenkins, Gan Golan, Alex Lovit 00:56:09 What if the January 6 attack on the US Capitol had been successful? Alan Jenkins and Gan Golan explore just that in their graphic novel series, entitled 1/6: The Graphic Novel. They also discuss how the events of January 6, 2021, diverge from democratic principles, such as free speech and the right to protest. Alan Jenkins is a Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School. His previous positions include President of The Opportunity Agenda (a social justice communication lab that he cofounded), Assistant to the Solicitor General at the Department of Justice, and Director of Human Rights at the Ford Foundation. Gan Golan is an artist, cultural strategist, and bestselling author. He has organized major protest movements, including Occupy Wall Street and the People’s Climate March, and is the cocreator of the Climate Clock in NYC. Links: https://onesixcomicsstore.com/ https://www.westernstatescenter.org/s/WSC-Action-Guide-1-6-single-pg.pdf What if the January 6 attack on the US Capitol had been successful? Alan Jenkins and Gan Golan explore just that in their graphic novel series, entitled 1/6: The Graphic Novel. They also discuss how the events of January 6, 2021, diverge from democratic principles, such as free speech and the right to protest. Alan Jenkins is a Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School. His previous positions include President of The Opportunity Agenda (a social justice communication lab that he cofounded), Assistant to the Solicitor General at the Department of Justice, and Director of Human Rights at the Ford Foundation. Gan Golan is an artist, cultural strategist, and bestselling author. He has organized major protest movements, including Occupy Wall Street and the People’s Climate March, and is the cocreator of the Climate Clock in NYC. Links: https://onesixcomicsstore.com/ https://www.westernstatescenter.org/s/WSC-Action-Guide-1-6-single-pg.pdf democracy and the arts, communication, speculative fiction, january 6, storytelling false full 12 05cb662c-f4f4-4731-b1d4-4dbb98cacbcb Kelley Robinson: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights Is Defending Democracy Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Kelley Robinson) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/kelley-robinson-ux0qVweS Kelley Robinson: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights Is Defending Democracy Alex Lovit, Kelley Robinson 01:02:25 The Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans for the first time in 2023. In state houses across the country, we are seeing legislation that targets the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. Kelley Robinson discusses how these attacks are part of a broader antidemocratic movement in the US and why it is important to develop a more inclusive culture for our democracy. Kelley Robinson is the president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024. Prior to becoming the first Black, queer woman to lead HRC, she was the executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She has over 15 years of experience in campaign organizing, community building, and coalition building for society’s most underserved populations. She is also a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. Links: https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/we-show-up https://time.com/6964843/kelley-robinson/ The Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans for the first time in 2023. In state houses across the country, we are seeing legislation that targets the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. Kelley Robinson discusses how these attacks are part of a broader antidemocratic movement in the US and why it is important to develop a more inclusive culture for our democracy. Kelley Robinson is the president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024. Prior to becoming the first Black, queer woman to lead HRC, she was the executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She has over 15 years of experience in campaign organizing, community building, and coalition building for society’s most underserved populations. She is also a Kettering Foundation Senior Fellow. Links: https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/we-show-up https://time.com/6964843/kelley-robinson/ lgbtq, equality, inclusive, democracy, human rights campaign false full 11 91083a99-ddf9-4996-a6a7-51760f97e1e8 Katherine Gehl: Elections Are Broken. How Do We Fix Them? Tue, 4 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Katherine Gehl) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/katherine-gehl-u_9RS7J9 Katherine Gehl: Elections Are Broken. How Do We Fix Them? Alex Lovit, Katherine Gehl 00:52:28 American voters have never been more dissatisfied. Unlike in business, where more competition promotes accountability and innovation, our political system only allows for two competitors. For most voters, America’s two-party system makes elections more about defeating the other side than solving problems and delivering. Katherine Gehl proposes Final-Five Voting, where five candidates advance from a nonpartisan primary and then are ranked, to promote competition and ensure representatives are accountable to a majority of voters. Katherine Gehl is a leader in the national nonpartisan movement for political innovation and the founder of The Institute for Political Innovation. A philanthropist and former CEO, she examines America’s political system through an industry-competition lens to better understand its biggest problems and to identify achievable solutions. Her book, The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy (2020), cowritten with Michael E. Porter, has changed the national reform community’s approach to modern political change. https://political-innovation.org/ https://store.hbr.org/product/the-politics-industry-how-political-innovation-can-break-partisan-gridlock-and-save-our-democracy/10367 American voters have never been more dissatisfied. Unlike in business, where more competition promotes accountability and innovation, our political system only allows for two competitors. For most voters, America’s two-party system makes elections more about defeating the other side than solving problems and delivering. Katherine Gehl proposes Final-Five Voting, where five candidates advance from a nonpartisan primary and then are ranked, to promote competition and ensure representatives are accountable to a majority of voters. Katherine Gehl is a leader in the national nonpartisan movement for political innovation and the founder of The Institute for Political Innovation. A philanthropist and former CEO, she examines America’s political system through an industry-competition lens to better understand its biggest problems and to identify achievable solutions. Her book, The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy (2020), cowritten with Michael E. Porter, has changed the national reform community’s approach to modern political change. https://political-innovation.org/ https://store.hbr.org/product/the-politics-industry-how-political-innovation-can-break-partisan-gridlock-and-save-our-democracy/10367 politics industry, democracy, primaries, elections, political reform false full 10 9d73449e-6fb2-41d8-985c-ab513924fa99 Matthew Delmont: Brown v. Board—What It Achieved and Where It Fell Short Tue, 21 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Matthew F. Delmont) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/matthew-delmont-pAKteIXS Matthew Delmont: Brown v. Board—What It Achieved and Where It Fell Short Alex Lovit, Matthew F. Delmont 01:00:30 In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Matthew Delmont discusses the symbolic and practical significance of the landmark decision. Although it deemed legal segregation unconstitutional, Brown v. Board did not result in meaningful school integration right away. In fact, the decision represents the long history of civil rights, in which activists had to outflank intense political reluctance and backlash. Matthew Delmont is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College and a Guggenheim Fellow. An expert on African American history and the history of civil rights, he has written five books: Half American (2022), Black Quotidian (2019), Why Busing Failed (2016), Making Roots (2016), and The Nicest Kids in Town (2012). His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, NPR, and several academic journals. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Delmont earned a BA from Harvard University and an MA and PhD from Brown University. Links: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624655/half-american-by-matthew-f-delmont/ https://blackquotidian.org/ https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520284258/why-busing-failed https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520291324/making-roots In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Matthew Delmont discusses the symbolic and practical significance of the landmark decision. Although it deemed legal segregation unconstitutional, Brown v. Board did not result in meaningful school integration right away. In fact, the decision represents the long history of civil rights, in which activists had to outflank intense political reluctance and backlash. Matthew Delmont is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College and a Guggenheim Fellow. An expert on African American history and the history of civil rights, he has written five books: Half American (2022), Black Quotidian (2019), Why Busing Failed (2016), Making Roots (2016), and The Nicest Kids in Town (2012). His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, NPR, and several academic journals. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Delmont earned a BA from Harvard University and an MA and PhD from Brown University. Links: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624655/half-american-by-matthew-f-delmont/ https://blackquotidian.org/ https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520284258/why-busing-failed https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520291324/making-roots democracy, desegregation, civil rights, history, brown v. board false full 9 c7f13ca2-a18e-49c3-b29c-047754c64c4e Martha S. Jones: History Tells Us Who We Have Been and Who We Aspire to Be Tue, 7 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Martha S. Jones) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/martha-jones-gixtFF3W Martha S. Jones: History Tells Us Who We Have Been and Who We Aspire to Be Alex Lovit, Martha S. Jones 00:48:04 Citizenship is a perpetual debate in America. Martha S. Jones discusses how the exclusion of women and people of color from the early Republic led them to develop their own political cultures and collective institutions. As a result, marginalized people, particularly Black women, reframed politics in a way that was more aligned with America’s democratic ideals than any other political vision at the time. Elevating their voices and visions of democracy helps clarify who we have been and who we hope to be. Martha S. Jones is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor, a Professor of History, and a Professor at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. A legal and cultural historian, her work examines how Black Americans have shaped the story of American democracy. She has written three award-winning books: Vanguard (2022), Birthright Citizens (2018), and All Bound Up Together (2007). Links: https://snfagora.jhu.edu/about-snf-agora/ https://hardhistory.jhu.edu/ https://alumni.jhu.edu/affinitygroups/soba https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/martha-s-jones/vanguard/9781541618619/?lens=basic-books https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/birthright-citizens/7A4BFAF68722E7EC837C2888C46E4434 https://uncpress.org/book/9780807858455/all-bound-up-together/ Citizenship is a perpetual debate in America. Martha S. Jones discusses how the exclusion of women and people of color from the early Republic led them to develop their own political cultures and collective institutions. As a result, marginalized people, particularly Black women, reframed politics in a way that was more aligned with America’s democratic ideals than any other political vision at the time. Elevating their voices and visions of democracy helps clarify who we have been and who we hope to be. Martha S. Jones is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor, a Professor of History, and a Professor at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. A legal and cultural historian, her work examines how Black Americans have shaped the story of American democracy. She has written three award-winning books: Vanguard (2022), Birthright Citizens (2018), and All Bound Up Together (2007). Links: https://snfagora.jhu.edu/about-snf-agora/ https://hardhistory.jhu.edu/ https://alumni.jhu.edu/affinitygroups/soba https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/martha-s-jones/vanguard/9781541618619/?lens=basic-books https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/birthright-citizens/7A4BFAF68722E7EC837C2888C46E4434 https://uncpress.org/book/9780807858455/all-bound-up-together/ citizenship, democracy, civil rights, history, birthright citizenship false full 8 f3f20832-83b1-4239-8a5f-83cfadb7ab55 Justin Gest: America is Hopelessly Diverse—In the Best Way Possible Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Justin Gest) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/justin-gest-4OajJZsn Justin Gest: America is Hopelessly Diverse—In the Best Way Possible Alex Lovit, Justin Gest 00:54:01 In 2015, the US Census Bureau released a report projecting that the US would become a majority minority nation by 2044. Justin Gest asserts that the US reached this milestone a long time ago. Gest discusses America’s immense diversity and immigrant roots, which can be sources of unity, rather than division. He interrogates the use of categories and labels that ultimately divide us, calling for a more civic and inclusive understanding of the nation. Justin Gest is a professor of Policy and Government at George Mason University. A scholar of the politics of immigration and demographic change, he has written six books, the most recent entitled Majority Minority (2022). His research is published in many peer-reviewed academic journals, and he provides commentary for major media outlets. You can keep up with his work on his website, justingest.com. Links: https://justingest.com/ https://global.oup.com/academic/product/majority-minority-9780197641798 In 2015, the US Census Bureau released a report projecting that the US would become a majority minority nation by 2044. Justin Gest asserts that the US reached this milestone a long time ago. Gest discusses America’s immense diversity and immigrant roots, which can be sources of unity, rather than division. He interrogates the use of categories and labels that ultimately divide us, calling for a more civic and inclusive understanding of the nation. Justin Gest is a professor of Policy and Government at George Mason University. A scholar of the politics of immigration and demographic change, he has written six books, the most recent entitled Majority Minority (2022). His research is published in many peer-reviewed academic journals, and he provides commentary for major media outlets. You can keep up with his work on his website, justingest.com. Links: https://justingest.com/ https://global.oup.com/academic/product/majority-minority-9780197641798 demographic change, majority, us census, minority, globalization, immigration, diversity false full 7 b619da31-3ca5-48f4-95ef-c43147a64364 David Pepper: The Heart of the Attack on Democracy Happens in States Tue, 9 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (David Pepper, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/david-pepper-HdIyCbTa David Pepper: The Heart of the Attack on Democracy Happens in States David Pepper, Alex Lovit 00:53:52 American democracy is under attack, and much of the damage is done in statehouses. David Pepper explains how Americans’ hyper-fixation on national politics opens the door for corruption and anti-democratic actions at the state level. In Ohio, state legislators have undermined democracy by manipulating election policies and drawing unfair legislative districts. Pepper discusses how all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, can incorporate saving democracy into their daily lives. David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, and adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He served as Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2015-2021. In addition to his daily Substack, he has written several books. Two address state-level attacks on democracy: Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines (2021) and Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American (2023). His other books are political thrillers, the most recent being The Fifth Vote (2023). He also serves as a Senior Fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://davidpepper.substack.com/ https://laboratoriesofautocracy.com/ https://savedemocracy.us/about/ American democracy is under attack, and much of the damage is done in statehouses. David Pepper explains how Americans’ hyper-fixation on national politics opens the door for corruption and anti-democratic actions at the state level. In Ohio, state legislators have undermined democracy by manipulating election policies and drawing unfair legislative districts. Pepper discusses how all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, can incorporate saving democracy into their daily lives. David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, and adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He served as Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2015-2021. In addition to his daily Substack, he has written several books. Two address state-level attacks on democracy: Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines (2021) and Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American (2023). His other books are political thrillers, the most recent being The Fifth Vote (2023). He also serves as a Senior Fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://davidpepper.substack.com/ https://laboratoriesofautocracy.com/ https://savedemocracy.us/about/ democracy, bipartisan, gerrymandering, statehouse, ohio false full 6 2810555b-97ce-4e43-93ee-6e21f3a38fde Maureen O'Connor: Citizens Can End Gerrymandering Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Maureen O'Connor, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/maureen-oconnor-TFDQyFug Maureen O'Connor: Citizens Can End Gerrymandering Maureen O'Connor, Alex Lovit 00:39:42 A devoted public servant, Maureen O’Connor discusses the importance of efficiency, fairness, and nonpartisanship in government. After years of witnessing and ruling against partisan gerrymandering on the Ohio Supreme Court, O’Connor is working toward an Ohio constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission that empowers citizens, not politicians, to create district lines. Maureen O’Connor is the longest-serving statewide elected woman in Ohio history. O’Connor was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2003, and in 2011, she became the state’s first female Chief Justice. During her tenure on the court, she led significant reforms and improvements in the Ohio judicial system. In retirement, she is spearheading the campaign Citizens Not Politicians to pass a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting in Ohio, which is slated for the November 2024 ballot. She also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://www.citizensnotpoliticians.org/ A devoted public servant, Maureen O’Connor discusses the importance of efficiency, fairness, and nonpartisanship in government. After years of witnessing and ruling against partisan gerrymandering on the Ohio Supreme Court, O’Connor is working toward an Ohio constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission that empowers citizens, not politicians, to create district lines. Maureen O’Connor is the longest-serving statewide elected woman in Ohio history. O’Connor was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2003, and in 2011, she became the state’s first female Chief Justice. During her tenure on the court, she led significant reforms and improvements in the Ohio judicial system. In retirement, she is spearheading the campaign Citizens Not Politicians to pass a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting in Ohio, which is slated for the November 2024 ballot. She also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://www.citizensnotpoliticians.org/ nonpartisan, democracy, gerrymandering, citizens, public servant, kettering foundation, ohio false full 5 a1eee0ad-df8d-40a0-809f-8fb94fb57d70 Kimberlé Crenshaw: What is Critical Race Theory, Anyway? Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit, Kimberlé Crenshaw) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/kimberle-crenshaw-Nms4Wn7_ Kimberlé Crenshaw: What is Critical Race Theory, Anyway? Alex Lovit, Kimberlé Crenshaw 01:02:24 Throughout history, the rules and practices of American democracy have contradicted the nation’s democratic ideals. Kimberlé Crenshaw has dedicated her career to developing inclusive legal frameworks to address some of our greatest democratic problems. As one of the foundational thinkers of Critical Race Theory, she sets the record straight on what the project is—and what it isn’t. Kimberlé Crenshaw is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Policy Forum and the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School. She serves on the legal faculty at both UCLA and Columbia University. She is one of the most cited scholars in legal history. Links: https://www.aapf.org/intersectionality-matters https://www.aapf.org/shn-book Throughout history, the rules and practices of American democracy have contradicted the nation’s democratic ideals. Kimberlé Crenshaw has dedicated her career to developing inclusive legal frameworks to address some of our greatest democratic problems. As one of the foundational thinkers of Critical Race Theory, she sets the record straight on what the project is—and what it isn’t. Kimberlé Crenshaw is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Policy Forum and the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School. She serves on the legal faculty at both UCLA and Columbia University. She is one of the most cited scholars in legal history. Links: https://www.aapf.org/intersectionality-matters https://www.aapf.org/shn-book democracy and the arts, intersectionality, inclusive democracy, critical race theory, democracy, race false full 4 3a65fa66-e242-4ecb-8cf2-31d018353be7 J. Michael Luttig: We Haven’t Learned Anything from January 6th—Yet. Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Michael Luttig, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/j-michael-luttig-we-havent-learned-anything-from-january-6thyet-2ww_2EsR J. Michael Luttig: We Haven’t Learned Anything from January 6th—Yet. Michael Luttig, Alex Lovit 00:46:12 J. Michael Luttig was one of the earliest, and most prominent, conservative voices to publicly condemn the effort to overturn the 2020 election. A few days before the Capitol insurrection, he advised Mike Pence that the Vice President has no constitutional authority to overturn a presidential election. Three years later, he discusses whether Donald Trump should be disqualified from holding office for his role in the Capitol insurrection based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Then and now, Judge Luttig has acted in defense of the Constitution, the rule of law, and American democracy. J. Michael Luttig served on the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1991 to 2006. From 2006 to 2020, he was executive director, vice president, and general counsel of Boeing. He is currently counselor and special advisor to the Coca-Cola Company. Luttig is a trustee of Franklin-Templeton Mutual Funds, a trustee of the National Constitution Center, a board member of the nonprofit Society for the Rule of Law, and cochair of the American Bar Association Task Force on American Democracy. He also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.kettering.org/resources/judge-luttig-says-sec-3-of-the-14th-amendment-should-disqualify-trump-for-reelection/ J. Michael Luttig was one of the earliest, and most prominent, conservative voices to publicly condemn the effort to overturn the 2020 election. A few days before the Capitol insurrection, he advised Mike Pence that the Vice President has no constitutional authority to overturn a presidential election. Three years later, he discusses whether Donald Trump should be disqualified from holding office for his role in the Capitol insurrection based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Then and now, Judge Luttig has acted in defense of the Constitution, the rule of law, and American democracy. J. Michael Luttig served on the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1991 to 2006. From 2006 to 2020, he was executive director, vice president, and general counsel of Boeing. He is currently counselor and special advisor to the Coca-Cola Company. Luttig is a trustee of Franklin-Templeton Mutual Funds, a trustee of the National Constitution Center, a board member of the nonprofit Society for the Rule of Law, and cochair of the American Bar Association Task Force on American Democracy. He also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. https://www.kettering.org/resources/judge-luttig-says-sec-3-of-the-14th-amendment-should-disqualify-trump-for-reelection/ luttig, trump, january 6, insur, donald trump, insurrection, kettering foundation false full 3 a77480b3-d6d4-4348-8da9-41e35814aac9 James Comey: Maintaining Faith in Democracy Amidst a Fog of Lies Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (James Comey, Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/james-comey-wObhiemX James Comey: Maintaining Faith in Democracy Amidst a Fog of Lies James Comey, Alex Lovit 00:47:02 America’s institutions are not perfect, but they are essential to the functioning of the rule of law. James Comey shares his experience working to improve the Justice Department through honesty, oversight, and transparency. He also discusses the criminal charges against former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump. James Comey has been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, writer, and leader.  He most recently served in government as Director of the FBI. Since leaving that role in 2017, he has written three best-selling books. Two are memoirs of his time in government: A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership (2018) and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust (2021). His most recent book is a fictional legal thriller: Central Park West (2023). He also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250192455/ahigherloyalty https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250799128/savingjustice https://penzlerpublishers.com/product/central-park-west/ America’s institutions are not perfect, but they are essential to the functioning of the rule of law. James Comey shares his experience working to improve the Justice Department through honesty, oversight, and transparency. He also discusses the criminal charges against former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump. James Comey has been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, writer, and leader.  He most recently served in government as Director of the FBI. Since leaving that role in 2017, he has written three best-selling books. Two are memoirs of his time in government: A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership (2018) and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust (2021). His most recent book is a fictional legal thriller: Central Park West (2023). He also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250192455/ahigherloyalty https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250799128/savingjustice https://penzlerpublishers.com/product/central-park-west/ democracy, james comey, fbi, insurrection false full 2 04a372b2-38ed-4d89-9888-e62e451e34aa Steven Levitsky: Institutional Reform Won’t Save Democracy in 2024. What Will?

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]]> Steven Levitsky: Institutional Reform Won’t Save Democracy in 2024. What Will? Steven Levitsky, Alex Lovit 00:48:27 The U.S. is less democratic than other established democracies in the world. Steven Levitsky discusses how structural reform is necessary to put the US on par with other democracies. However, given the US’s unusual number of counter-majoritarian institutions and the world’s hardest constitution to reform, institutional reform will not happen before the 2024 election. What American democracy urgently needs is a newfound commitment to democracy in the form of a broad coalition, including everyone from Alexandria Ocasio Cortez to Liz Cheney, from political junkies to business and religious leaders.     Steven Levitsky is David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University, director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard, and a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. His research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism. He and Daniel Ziblatt are authors of How Democracies Die (2018), which was a New York Times bestseller, and Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point (2023). Links: Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706046/tyranny-of-the-minority-by-steven-levitsky-and-daniel-ziblatt/ How Democracies Die https://crownpublishing.com/archives/feature/democracies-die-steven-levitsky-daniel-ziblatt Tune in every other week wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to The Context to get the latest episodes. The Charles F. Kettering Foundation (https://www.kettering.orghttps://www.kettering.org) works to inspire and connect individuals and organizations to advance thriving and inclusive democracies around the globe. We believe all people belong and have the right to engage in and shape a democracy that serves them. The U.S. is less democratic than other established democracies in the world. Steven Levitsky discusses how structural reform is necessary to put the US on par with other democracies. However, given the US’s unusual number of counter-majoritarian institutions and the world’s hardest constitution to reform, institutional reform will not happen before the 2024 election. What American democracy urgently needs is a newfound commitment to democracy in the form of a broad coalition, including everyone from Alexandria Ocasio Cortez to Liz Cheney, from political junkies to business and religious leaders.     Steven Levitsky is David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University, director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard, and a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation. His research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism. He and Daniel Ziblatt are authors of How Democracies Die (2018), which was a New York Times bestseller, and Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point (2023). Links: Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706046/tyranny-of-the-minority-by-steven-levitsky-and-daniel-ziblatt/ How Democracies Die https://crownpublishing.com/archives/feature/democracies-die-steven-levitsky-daniel-ziblatt Tune in every other week wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to The Context to get the latest episodes. The Charles F. Kettering Foundation (https://www.kettering.orghttps://www.kettering.org) works to inspire and connect individuals and organizations to advance thriving and inclusive democracies around the globe. We believe all people belong and have the right to engage in and shape a democracy that serves them. politics, democracy, steven levitsky, how democracies die, reform false full 1 4bc84d88-d065-432a-9835-4dbdf3923f0f Trailer: Welcome to The Context Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:23:22 +0000 jbell@kettering.org (Alex Lovit) https://the-context.simplecast.com/episodes/trailer-welcome-to-the-context-gm0hv9Z0 Trailer: Welcome to The Context Alex Lovit 00:01:28 Welcome to The Context. A podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation about what it takes for democracy to thrive You may have heard that democracy is in crisis. In the United States, citizens are alienated from their government, corruption threatens to undermine representation, and many are losing faith in our institutions altogether. There are also some bright spots. Recent elections have seen the largest, most diverse electorate in American history. On “The Context,” a new podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, we’ll explore the complex story of our democracy – its failures and successes, missteps, and triumphs. American democracy has always been flawed, excluding some voices and prioritizing others. But even a flawed system can be used as a tool for pro-democratic reform – in fact, that’s the story of American history. On “The Context,” host Alex Lovit, senior program officer and historian, will interview leaders in the field to confront the real problems challenging democracy today – but also celebrate its strengths and its successes. Welcome to The Context. A podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation about what it takes for democracy to thrive You may have heard that democracy is in crisis. In the United States, citizens are alienated from their government, corruption threatens to undermine representation, and many are losing faith in our institutions altogether. There are also some bright spots. Recent elections have seen the largest, most diverse electorate in American history. On “The Context,” a new podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, we’ll explore the complex story of our democracy – its failures and successes, missteps, and triumphs. American democracy has always been flawed, excluding some voices and prioritizing others. But even a flawed system can be used as a tool for pro-democratic reform – in fact, that’s the story of American history. On “The Context,” host Alex Lovit, senior program officer and historian, will interview leaders in the field to confront the real problems challenging democracy today – but also celebrate its strengths and its successes. democracy, trailer, kettering foundation false trailer