Alexander Keyssar on Why We Still Have the Electoral College

We've often compared democratic national security and autocratic security making in terms of autocratic elites and democratic voters. My argument is not that all democracies are the same, but I do think we ought to be thinking about autocratic elites and democratic elites and voters.Elizabeth SaundersProudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Elizabeth Saunders is a Professor of Political Science at Columbia University as well as a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. She is also an editor of The Good Authority Blog formerly known as The Monkey Cage Blog. Her most recent book is The Insiders’ Game: How Elites Make War and Peace.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20How Foreign Policy Works - 3:30Politics at the Water's Edge - 18:13Parties and Foreign Policy - 27:09Contemporary Politics - 41:28Key LinksThe Insiders’ Game: How Elites Make War and Peace by Elizabeth SaundersGood Authority BlogLearn more about Elizabeth SaundersDemocracy Paradox PodcastRep Mikie Sherrill on Whether the Bipartisan Consensus on Foreign Policy Will Hold and on Threats to American DemocracyGrading Biden’s Foreign Policy with Alexander WardMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

I think we've seen democracies can be unstable. Autocracies are even more unstable.David MossMade in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationGet your copy of When Democracy Breaks or read it open access.Access Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Archon Fung is the Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also the Director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.David Moss is the Paul Whiton Cherington Professor at Harvard Business School. He is also founder and president of the Tobin Project and the Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy.Arne Westad is the Elihu Professor of History and Global Affairs at Yale University.They are the editors of When Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Thinking about Democratic Breakdown - 3:51What is Democracy - 19:26Democratic Recovery - 26:36Resilience and Fragility - 45:15Key LinksWhen Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day edited by Archon Fung, David Moss, and Odd Arne Westad"Introduction: When Democracy Breaks" by Archon Fung, David Moss, and Odd Arne WestadAsh Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationDemocracy Paradox PodcastWhen Democracy Breaks: Scott Mainwaring on ArgentinaWhen Democracy Breaks: 1930s Japan with Louise YoungMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

March 24th, 1976 is the coup and it unleashes wild celebrations in establishment Argentina and almost no opposition.... Of course, this unleashed the most ruthless dictatorship in Argentina's history and in recent South American history as well.Scott MainwaringMade in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationGet your copy of When Democracy Breaks or read it open access.Access Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Scott Mainwaring is the Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2010. His most recent book is Democracy in Hard Places (coedited with Tarek Masoud). In April 2019, PS: Political Science and Politics listed him as one of the 50 most cited political scientists in the world.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Democratization in 1973 - 3:41Democratic Erosion - 18:30Breakdown - 39:08Argentina Today - 43:18Key LinksWhen Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day edited by Archon Fung, David Moss, and Odd Arne Westad"Democratic Breakdown in Argentina, 1976" by Scott MainwaringAsh Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationDemocracy Paradox PodcastScott Mainwaring on Argentina and a Final Reflection on Democracy in Hard PlacesWhen Democracy Breaks: 1930s Japan with Louise YoungMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

There's a fog of democratic breakdown where really you cannot see the actual impact of your choices or your actions until after the fact.Louise YoungMade in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationGet your copy of When Democracy Breaks or read it open access.Access Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Louise Young is a professor of history at the University of Wisonsin-Madison. She is the author of the chapter “The Breakdown of Democracy in 1930s Japan.” It is part of the volume When Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Democratization - 2:52What Made it Different - 11:41Democratic Breakdown - 20:14Resisting Democratic Erosion - 37:15Key LinksWhen Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day edited by Archon Fung, David Moss, and Odd Arne Westad"The Breakdown in Democracy in 1930s Japan" by Louise YoungAsh Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationDemocracy Paradox PodcastWhen Democracy Breaks: Ancient Athens with Josiah Ober and Federica CarugatiDan Slater on IndonesiaMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

What strikes me about that period is that democracy was not inevitable.Federica CarugatiMade in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationGet your copy of When Democracy Breaks or read it open access.Access Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Josiah Ober is a Professor of Political Science and Classics at Stanford University. Federica Carugati is a Lecturer in History and Political Economy at King's College London. They are the coauthors of the chapter “Democratic Collapse and Recovery in Ancient Athens (413-403 BCE)” in a new book called When Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Democratization - 3:28Breakdown - 17:36Rebirth - 36:48Final Lessons - 47:51Key LinksWhen Democracy Breaks: Studies in Democratic Erosion and Collapse, From Ancient Athens to the Present Day edited by Archon Fung, David Moss, and Odd Arne Westad"Democratic Collapse and Recovery in Ancient Athens (413-403 BCE)" by Federica Carugati and Josiah OberAsh Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationDemocracy Paradox PodcastDoes Democracy Rely on a Civic Bargain? Josiah Ober Makes the CaseDavid Stasavage on Early Democracy and its DeclineMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

I think that if you got rid of the Electoral College, in the short run, there would be losers. But it hasn't always been the same group and it hasn't always been the same party.Alexander KeyssarMade in partnership with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and InnovationMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Alexander Keyssar is the Matthew W. Stirling Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at Harvard University and the author of the book Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College?Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Origin of the Electoral College - 3:05Proportional or District Electoral Votes - 17:37Race and Civil Rights - 27:02Why No Reform - 41:44Key LinksWhy Do We Still Have the Electoral College? by Alexander KeyssarWatch Electoral College Symposium: What’s to be Done?Follow Alexander Keyssar on X @AlexKeyssarDemocracy Paradox PodcastHeather Cox Richardson on History, Conservatism, and the Awakening of American DemocracyDaniel Ziblatt on American Democracy, the Republican Party, and the Tyranny of the MinorityMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

You actually have to fight in every generation, if you want to preserve liberalism. It's not just going to preserve itself. It's not just the end of history. It isn't just the final resting place of humanity - not by any stretch of the imagination. It's a continual struggle.Robert KaganAccess Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Robert Kagan is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a columnist for The Washington Post. He is the author of many books including most recently The Ghost at the Feast: America and the Collapse of World Order, 1900-1941 and Rebellion: How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart--Again.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Traditions of Liberalism and Antiliberalism - 3:04Antiliberalism as an Idea - 8:35Tension Within Ourselves - 21:25Future of Liberalism and Antiliberalism - 37:42Key LinksRebellion: How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart--Again by Robert KaganThe Ghost at the Feast: America and the Collapse of World Order, 1900-1941 by Robert KaganFollow Robert Kagan at the Brookings InstitutionDemocracy Paradox PodcastRobert Kagan Looks to American History to Explain Foreign Policy TodayHeather Cox Richardson on History, Conservatism, and the Awakening of American DemocracyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

People in Congress are leaders in their communities and people in some parts of this country are, in my opinion, being led astray.Rep. Mikie SherrillThis episode was made in partnership with the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of DemocracyAccess Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduProudly sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Representative Mikie Sherrill represents the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. She sits on the Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Readiness, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in Global History from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Law degree from Georgetown University.  She is a military veteran with almost ten years of active duty service.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Personal Background - 3:48Polarization and Foreign Policy - 13:50China - 23:36American Democracy - 28:41Key LinksLearn more about Rep. Mikie Sherrill on her Congressional pageFollow Rep. Mikie Sherrill on X @RepSherrill or @MikieSherrillRep. Mikie Sherrill's Campaign PageDemocracy Paradox PodcastGrading Biden’s Foreign Policy with Alexander WardCan America Fight Back Against the Authoritarian Economic Statecraft of China? Bethany Allen Believes We CanMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

What does it mean to empower women politically in a context in which the dominant party is engaged in democratic backsliding or other forms of illiberal and exclusionary politics? Would you still want more women to be part of that party?Saskia BrechenmacherAccess Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduMade in partnership with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Saskia Brechenmacher is a fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. Recently, she coauthored a new book with Katherine Mann called Aiding Empowerment: Democracy Promotion and Gender Equality in Politics.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Democracy Promotion and Gender Equality - 3:13Gender Quotas - 12:38Challenges - 28:12New Ideas and Issues - 44:53Key LinksAiding Empowerment: Democracy Promotion and Gender Equality in Politics by Saskia Brechenmacher and Katherine MannLearn more about Saskia Brechenmacher at the Carnegie EndowmentFollow Saskia Brechenmacher on X @SaskiaBrechDemocracy Paradox PodcastMarc Plattner Has Quite a Bit to Say About DemocracyLarry Diamond on Supporting Democracy in the World and at HomeMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

We have to reconstruct the foundations of our democracy, building on the past, not repudiating everything we're building on it.Bruce AckermanAccess Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduSponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Learn more at https://carnegieendowment.orgA full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Bruce Ackerman is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale. He is well known as a legal scholar and a political philosopher. His most recent book is The Postmodern Predicament: Existential Challenges of the Twenty-First Century.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20Modernity - 2:37Postmodernism - 15:26Deliberation Day - 36:08Rethinking Modernity - 43:28Key LinksThe Postmodern Predicament: Existential Challenges of the Twenty-First Century by Bruce AckermanLearn more about Bruce Ackerman on WikipediaFollow Bruce Ackerman on X @backermanyaleDemocracy Paradox PodcastYascha Mounk Warns Against a Misguided New IdeologyZizi Papacharissi Dreams of What Comes After DemocracyMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at [email protected] on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show