Keeping democracy alive Democracy is not a spectator sport, it requires informed participating citizens. On Keeping Democracy Alive, we delve into dynamics that both inhibit democracy and reinvigorate it. looking into issues from: domestic economic issues to foreign, labor, trade, and education policy, NSA spying, the drug war, prison, police, and judicial issues, electoral and protest politics, middle east realities, right and left wing populism, environmental and energy issues, the wealth ...
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One Eternally Explosive Line in the Sand
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Storytelling is a venerable and often the most accurate way to teach history. Our guest co-author of the new A Line In the Sand, Miles Spencer, traveled with his partner along the 1100 mile trail of clues left by TE The post One Eternally Explosive Line in the Sand appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Playing defense defines the playing field. Shall we just accept a world run by international mega-billionaires? On this show, Sam Pizzigati of Inequality.org argues now is the time to get ready to go on offense against what Trump Musk and The post To Win, Go on Offense appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Many All-American Tools Trump Can Use To Chill Freedom
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From the proposed Department of Government Efficiency to possible invocation of the Insurrection Act of 1807 to the Espionage Act of 1917 to the proposal to take away the non-profit status of organizations alleged to have ties to terrorists, there The post The Many All-American Tools Trump Can Use To Chill Freedom appeared first on Keeping Democrac…
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“Defending Democracy” is Fighting for You, Not the Status Quo
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In the wake of the shocking presidential election, we Democrats now have an opportunity and an obligation. Once again, the heartland of America saw the Democratic Party as two-coast elitists. Our guest today, veteran political organizer Bob Creamer says despite The post “Defending Democracy” is Fighting for You, Not the Status Quo appeared first on…
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11/11 Armistice: The Germans Were Ambushed, A Peace That Ended Peace
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Can we ever learn from history? November 11 is celebrated as the end of “the war to end all wars.” But in reality it was a peace that ended peace. Listen in as eminent historian Adam Hochschild cuts through the The post 11/11 Armistice: The Germans Were Ambushed, A Peace That Ended Peace appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Greensboro ’79: “White Supremacy Done Correctly”
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You remember: “that’s not who we are,” related to January 6, 2021? Turns out, maybe it is who we are. Was this too an outlier: Greensboro North Carolina November 1979 when the KKK shot and killed five people demonstrating for The post Greensboro ’79: “White Supremacy Done Correctly” appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Restorative Justice Works Where Retribution Fails
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You know the saying “hurt people hurt people.” Well, our guest argues “healed people heal people.” Most of us look away from the terribly failed system of justice, but Notre Dame Professor Jason Springs offers us a new path that The post Restorative Justice Works Where Retribution Fails appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Tim Walz’s Unique Appeal to Young Men’s Masculinity
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There’s a mountain of electoral gold which, for the first time, is being mined: graduates of regional public universities. Many of them men. Colleges with “state” in their name. Our guest Washington Monthly editor in chief Paul Glastris talks about The post Tim Walz’s Unique Appeal to Young Men’s Masculinity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Aliv…
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Reagan, Clinton, and Obama all boosted neoliberalism. But Biden is showing that he’s on a different track. Democrats in the 90s moved away from FDRs liberalism only to solidify Wall St’s hold on our economic life and political power. In The post The Demise if Neoliberalism. At Last appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Heather Cox Richardson: Yes Democracy IS Awakening
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In a democracy, we expect to have our own say over how we are governed. There’s a great grumbling throughout America because many don’t feel listened to. That’s the impetus behind today’s Trumpist populism. This populism is the voice of The post Heather Cox Richardson: Yes Democracy IS Awakening appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats
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Wisconsin is a key swing state in the upcoming election, with traditions of both real right and real left. On today’s show on-the-ground journalist Christina Lieffring tells us about realities in that 90% rural state. She says to win voters, The post Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats appeared first on Keeping Democracy…
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The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism
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Many Americans were appalled at the violent January 6th assault on the capitol. The thought was: “That’s not who we are.” But in truth, throughout our history, a great number of Americans have supported hierarchies and authoritarianism; freedom for us The post The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism appeared first on Keeping Democr…
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On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity
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In light of the Israeli state’s massive assault on Gaza, and now Lebanon, the question comes up: What does it mean to be a Jew? Our guest veteran New York Times sportswriter Robert Lipsyte says being a Jew entails certain The post On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Corporations have their own interests at heart. From post-Civil War America through to Germany in 1933 to America today. And knowing public image counts, many try to have it both ways: bragging that they support reproductive and LGBTQ rights as The post Is Corporatocracy Unstoppable? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here?
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“People think of Nelson Rockefeller as the epitome of moderate Republicanism.” But what appears to be a clean break from this tradition is really an evolution. Author Professor Marsha E. Barrett explains how the shift to the right was something The post From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Keeping Democ…
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Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035
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It was only discovered in an architectural trade journal: Netanyahu’s “Gaza 2035.” Architects were hired to provide models of a new Gaza , the old one having been flattened. Steel and glass high risers being erected where once a people The post Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035 appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality
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As Americans, we want what we want right now. But it doesn’t work that way to make real political change. As with any mechanism, there are certain things that must be learned to make it work and achieve our goals. The post Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere
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Some might call it “cruel and unusual punishment,” arresting, sweeping the parks, bulldozing homeless encampments. Others believe if people are poor it’s their own fault. On this show, the Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis of The Kairos Center discusses an essay The post Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom
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They love to say America has the strongest military of any nation ever. But boasting usually leads to disaster. On this show, we hear from William J. Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Air Force and professor of The post A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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History professor Matt Warshauer argues in his new book that the 9/11 generation is the most unique in American history, and he explains how. The title is Creating and Failing the 9/11 Generation. This generation has seen a nonfunctional government, The post What is the 9/11 Generation? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long.
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He got 81% of the evangelical vote in key swing states in 2016. Our guest today the Reverend Doug Pagitt is exceptionally familiar with what goes on with evangelical Christians, and he says he expects Trump to get less than The post Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election
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They weren’t there for Biden. A large chunk of young men are for Trump, but with a new presidential candidate, the Democratic Party is connecting with young people. One millennial voice is Josh Lafasan, on today’s show he says the The post Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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It may have the word “liberal” in it but it’s anything but. Until the Biden/Harris years, the corporate wing of the Democratic Party had its deserved image of serving the richest among us. Trump understood raw populist anger to win The post Waving Goodbye to Neoliberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood
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Now with the nomination of not just a woman, but a woman of color, they feel even more threatened. Today’s right encourages and seeks to use men’s anger in the culture war, even though those very policies actually harm working The post Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America?
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Since at least 2016, the Democratic policy has been driven by big contributors, yielding rural voters to Trump who at least pretended to hear them. With Minnesota Governor Tim Walz nominated as VP for Harris, middle America people who had The post With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism
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Colonialism: Now it’s called corporate globalization. As the energy appetite of the west continues to accelerate, so does extractivism, without the consent of the people directly affected. In this revealing discussion, Professor Avi Chomsky explodes the many myths we white The post Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism appeared fir…
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Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly.
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The ideal breeding ground for the Covid virus: A place where people were forced to have constant close contact with each other and with the wider community. In other words: prisons. You know how awful it was for us on The post Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President
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We were taught in elementary school that every vote counts in America. But as we all know the 2016 winner of the popular vote did not become president. The truth is the presidential candidates will spend a billion dollars this The post Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over
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Make America great “again?” What does that phrase assume? Our guest today, retired Lt Col. William Astore served 20 years in the military. No, he’s not a stereotypical macho militarist, far from it. He says our “full spectrum global empire” The post The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option
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We assume our picture of romance and marriage has always been there, but according to our guest author and professor Sabrina Strings, it was invented in the 12th century as a myth about Sir Lancelot. Marriage was about power, domination, The post White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option appe…
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Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized?
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There is a palpable movement under Kamala Harris; so why is party leadership still so out of touch with working people as they were in 2016? Our returning guest, veteran party insider Norman Solomon, says the DNC is still top-down The post Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy
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As Trump heads into the 2024 campaign, you might wonder who is behind it, who benefits from destroying our republic. Here is the story. The religious nationalists see him as a fierce leader. They believe God sends such kings to The post What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Power of Pardons and Democracy
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It’s not high on people’s reason to choose a president, but the power of pardons today is often corrupt and the promise of a pardon has been known to encourage crimes. In this discussion of her forthcoming book, Law Professor The post The Power of Pardons and Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Unions have achieved some historic victories recently. But though many workers are curious, there’s still reluctance to joining a union. As co-author of a new report called “Union Curious,” UC San Diego’s political economy professor John Ahlquist explains on this The post Union Curious in the Mid-2020s appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over?
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Today, more than ever, politics is theater. On today’s big stage we see Biden as an old weakened man, and then we have Trump with blood on his face, standing strong, defiant, fist in the air. On today’s show national The post After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Challenges of Being Muslim Today
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In 21st Century Western Culture, there’s a variety of impressions average white people get when you say the word Muslim. Most of them wrong. On this edition of Keeping Democracy Alive, Toronto author Saqib Qureshi brings some needed clarity to The post The Challenges of Being Muslim Today appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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How Liberation is Only Found In Community
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Today’s guest is Dr. Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, author of the new book The Chosen We. She’s a professor of Educational Leadership and Policy a U.Wisconsin-Madison. Over a period of ten years she interviewed 105 Black women from five selected cities about The post How Liberation is Only Found In Community appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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In Our Climate Threat, There Are Opportunities
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Many still think “We don’t have to deal with it now,” but a new report from the Union of Concern Scientists is titled “Looming Deadlines for Coastal Resilience” for a reason. As co-author Dr. Rachel Cleetus explains on this show, The post In Our Climate Threat, There Are Opportunities appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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US Africa Policy: “Willful Disregard of Reality”
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So much history of over-reliance on military solutions when governments don’t have the support of the people, yet we’re doing it again in Africa. Our guest who has major experience in the White House and Defense Department is Dr. Gordon The post US Africa Policy: “Willful Disregard of Reality” appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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On the French Election: First Far Right Regime Since WWII?
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In phase one of French elections, the far right of Marine LePen did very well, winning about a third of the total. The next and crucial vote is July 7. According to on-the-ground reporter, Oliver Haynes, President Macron is likely The post On the French Election: First Far Right Regime Since WWII? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Ministry of Risk is it’s Own Reward
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Many Americans say they are people of faith. But how many of us integrate our faith into our daily lives? Philip Berrigan was one of America’s most faith-driven people. Our guest is Brad Wolf, author of the new book on The post Ministry of Risk is it’s Own Reward appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals?
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This book actually changed my view of US History. The author says the Confederates and the January 6th assault are the inheritors of the original intent! He argues that the standard story is not the truth. The surprising reality of The post Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live.
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What do we mean by the word “hero?” Is it not a person of extraordinary courage, putting the good of the country above his or her own safety? That’s Daniel Ellsberg, most famous for the Pentagon Papers which he released The post Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide
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Though it is finally a federal holiday, a lot of people still don’t really know about Juneteenth. It was the day in 1865 when formerly enslaved people learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. But what kind of freedom was it then The post Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Heather Cox Richardson: Yes Democracy is Awakening
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In a democracy, we expect to have our own say over how we are governed. There’s a great grumbling throughout America because many don’t feel listened to. That’s the impetus behind today’s Trumpist populism. This populism is the voice of The post Heather Cox Richardson: Yes Democracy is Awakening appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works
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Across the United States there is tremendous support for a taxing the wealthiest among us. So why doesn’t it happen? Well, in Massachusetts, it has. As Inequality.org’s Sam Pizzigati explains in this segment, there was powerful resistance to the new The post Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works appeared first on Keeping Democracy …
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It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America
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In his new book The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America, prolific author Larry Tye shares what he learned about the lives of the three men, now recognized as great Americans. The racism they faced The post It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America appeared first on Keeping Democracy Al…
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Used to be Labour was left, Tories were conservative. Now it seems each party is trying to be just like the other. This right before PM Rishi Sunak shocked everyone by scheduling a new election for July fourth. And stirring The post Snap UK Elections: A Fight for Mediocrity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The final chapter in our guest’s new book, Liberalism as a Way of Life asks the question: Requiem for a Liberal Way of Life? Well, is it really over? Reached in Sydney Australia where he’s professor of politics and philosophy The post Under Attack the World Over, What Is Liberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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