If there's one thing that people across the political spectrum can agree on, it's a sense of discontent with the current state of American politics. This week, we explore the origins of that discontent and why it's damaging to democracy. Our guest is Matthew Rhodes-Purdy, an assistant professor of political science at Clemson University and one of the authors of The Age of Discontent: Populism, Extremism, and Conspiracy Theories in Contemporary Democracies.
Rhodes-Purdy and his co-authors argue that the most successful populist and extremist movements of the past 20 years have focused largely on cultural grievances, rather than on economic discontent. The book outlines what they describe as the troubling implications of discontent on the long-term compatibility of liberal democracy and free-market neoliberalism.
Looking at case studies from around the world, the authors imply that democratic states must renew their commitment to social regulation of markets and to serve as conduits for citizen voice for democracy and market economies are to survive.
How the National Popular Vote could change presidential elections
Making Peace Visible: In search of good conflict
Season finale: Protests, debates, and the "meh" election
How elected strongmen weaken democracy
30 years of democracy in South Africa
David Hogg on leaders we deserve
Democracy is the sum of us
Cassidy Hutchinson on what comes after January 6
A different take on social media and democracy
How to combat political extremism
A different kind of political divide
Tim Alberta on evangelicals and Republicans
How election officials are preparing for the year ahead
Finding hope in 2024
Year in review: Media, mental health, and threats to democracy
Making Peace Visible: The state of democracy in India
Does mandatory civic education increase voter turnout?
A deep look at political loss
When populism and democracy collide
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
City Manager Unfiltered
Potencial Americano
The ASIC Podcast
The Chris Plante Show
Red Eye Radio