Spencer often talks with Joan Esposito, who interviews him about politics for her show on Chicago's WCPT-AM. This episode of Dastardly Cleverness replays one of those conversations that's especially relevant now. Joan and Spencer focus on why democracy, after all its successes, is now in so much danger from authoritarianism. They talk about: You can hear more … [Read more...] about Why are so many of us abandoning democracy for some form of tyranny? Joan Esposito interviews Spencer Critchley
democracy
Is the Game of Democracy Over?
One way of thinking about democracy is as a game — a game in which freedom, equality, and even lives are at stake. And one way of thinking about the state of our democracy is that one of the two main competitors is no longer playing the game, but trying to destroy it. As with any game, the rules of democracy only matter if we agree they do. Ultimately, we can’t prove that … [Read more...] about Is the Game of Democracy Over?
Vinz Koller: How to Repair Democracy
American democracy is more fragile than many of us ever imagined. But we’ve been neglecting and abusing it so much that maybe the bigger surprise is that it’s lasted as long as it has. A lot of that damage can still be fixed, though—as long as we don’t let the whole thing fall apart first. Spencer's guest Vinz Koller has great insights on what's gone wrong and how we can … [Read more...] about Vinz Koller: How to Repair Democracy
What History Can Teach Us About the Attack on Democracy
In this episode, Spencer talks about what history can teach us about how to face the attack on democracy happening now: Why we can’t “just move on” after the Capitol riot — or everything else that’s happened over the past four years.The circle of shared moral values that must encompass democracy and how each of us can and must defend it — starting by simply speaking … [Read more...] about What History Can Teach Us About the Attack on Democracy
The Attack on Democracy
Just about the only thing many of us are thinking about these days is the endangered state of American democracy, especially since the attempted coup on Jan. 6. In this episode, Spencer Critchley offers some of his thoughts, and invites you to share yours. You can do that in the comments on this post, or at these links: Twitter: @scritchleyFacebook: … [Read more...] about The Attack on Democracy