This is Democracy

This is Democracy – Episode 329: Intelligence: Past and Present

This is Democracy – Episode 328: Imperialist Realism

Zachary and Jeremi are back this week to speak with University of Washington professor Daniel Bessner about his essay collection Imperialist Realism. They discuss shifting public attitudes across age cohorts, limits of U.S. power in East Asia and changin

This is Democracy – Episode 327: Local Journalism

Jeremi and Zachary return from summer break to discuss local journalism. Zachary draws from his experience working as a local reporter in Milwaukee over the summer to highlight the challenges that small, local stations and publications face in reaching w

This is Democracy – Episode 326: Ukraine Update

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with historian and former U.S. State Department official Michael Kimmage to take stock of where things stand in the fourth year of the war in Ukraine. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of

This is Democracy – Episode 325: Monuments and History

Jeremi and Zachary speak with historian Vaneesa Cook about her book “Empire and Liberty,” using the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to examine how monuments have reflected debates over U.S. liberty, empire, immigration, protest, and publi

This is Democracy – Episode 324: Universities Today

In todays episode, Jeremi and Zachary discuss how U.S. universities are changing, delving into shifts in campus political culture, administrative growth around DEI, viewpoint diversity and ideological siloing. They also discuss the financial and policy p

This is Democracy – Episode 323: “Christian Nation”?

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Dr. Daniel Hummel to address the claim of the US as a Christian Nation by many of its citizens, and how this notion relates to our democracy. Dr. Daniel Hummel is the director of the Lumen Center in Madison, WI

This is Democracy – Episode 322 – Israel: Past and Present

This week, Jeremi and Zachary interview Brown University historian Dr. Omer Bartov about his book, Israel: What Went Wrong?, written after October 7 amid his efforts to understand Israeli society, media narratives, and the war in Gaza informed by his vis

This is Democracy – Episode 321: Hungarian Elections

This week, Zachary and Jeremi speak with UT Austin professor Lorinc Redei about Hungary’s recent election, in which longtime prime minister Viktor Orbán was defeated by opposition leader Péter Magyar, and what may come next. Lorinc Redei is the assist

This is Democracy – Episode 320: Is the U.S. Constitution Broken?

This week, Jeremi and Zachary host historian Mark Peterson to discuss his book, The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution: A Thousand-Year History, and to rethink the Constitution as a long-evolving relationship among people, government instit

This is Democracy- Episode 319: U.S. Decision Making on Iran

This week, Zachary and Jeremi interview Atlantic writer and Johns Hopkins professor emeritus Eliot Cohen about his article “One War Two Mistakes” and how to think about the current U.S. war with Iran. Eliot Cohen is a contributing writer at The Atlant

This is Democracy – Episode 318: War In Iran

This week, Zachary and Jeremi have a conversation with Dr. Michael Dennis about the current war with Iran and the United States and Israel with a focus on the historical perspective. Michael Dennis is an Associate Professor of Practice at the Lyndon B

This is Democracy – Episode 317: Vigilantism and Violence in American Society

Jeremi and Zachary speak with historian Heather Ann Thompson about her book Fear and Fury, using the 1984 Bernie Goetz subway case to explore how Reagan-era, rising inequality, and a newly powerful conservative media reshaped public attitudes about crime

This is Democracy – Episode 316: Minneapolis

Zachary Suri and Jeremi Suri invite Professor David Aiona Chang on to discuss the ongoing standoff between anti-ICE protesters and DHS officials in Minneapolis, exploring the historical roots, community solidarity, and broader implications for immigratio

This is Democracy – Episode 315: Venezuela Intervention

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the implications of US intervention in Venezuela with Professor Kurt Weyland, examining the Monroe Doctrines historical context, the interplay of realist and idealist motives, and the uncertain future of Venezuelan p

This is Democracy – Episode 314: Reflections on 2025, Lessons for 2026

Jeremi and Zachary discuss key lessons and impressions from 2025 to kick off the new year of 2026. Zachary opens the episode with an excerpt from George Orwells essay, Can Socialists Be Happy?

This is Democracy – Episode 313: Civics and History Education

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Professor Steven Mintz on the critical role of civics and history education in contemporary society. The discussion covers why civics education is crucial for understanding foundational facts of American history,

This is Democracy – Episode 312: Ukraine Negotiations

This week, Zachary and Jeremi revisit the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, discussing recent developments and potential diplomatic solutions. They are joined by Michael Kimmage, Professor of History at the Catholic University of America, who offers i

This is Democracy – Episode 311: US-Latin American Relations

This week Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Renata Keller from the University of Nevada Reno, whose work focuses on the Cuban Missile Crisis and its enduring impact in Latin America. They explore public reactions in Latin America during the cris

This is Democracy – Episode 310: Have we Outgrown the Constitution?

This week, Zachary and Jeremi discuss the complexities and challenges surrounding the adaptability of the American Constitution with Professor Steven Skowronek. They delve into topics such as constitutional amendments, the role and evolution of the Supre