In this episode, we dive into research on violent and non-violent civil resistance movements of the past. What lessons can we learn from successful resistance movements? Is there a critical threshold of civic involvement in the face of oppressive regimes? We also report from our experience at the Boise No Kings protest in June. Are the 50501 protests different than the Women’s March and other resistance protests of Trump’s first term? Emily does a 108 on the value of protests.

Mentioned in this episode:

Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict by Maria J. Stephan and Erica Chenoweth

Questions, Answers, and Some Cautionary Updates Regarding the 3.5% Rule by Erica Chenoweth

In today’s episode, we’re tackling the Elon/Trump breakup, the rifts it reveals in the uneasy alliance between tech oligarchs and the populist far right, and immigration. It all connects, we promise. We talk through our personal opinions on immigration, including some philosophical underpinnings to our beliefs, and confront some immigration myths.

We wrap up the episode with a good take—could it be the moment for a third party?—and a mailbag segment.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Right to Immigrate by Michael Huemer

Jasmine Bina on LinkedIn

What if you could lose your democracy and not even realize it?

This week, we dive into the siren call of authoritarianism—and why so many experts believe the United States may already be living under a version of it. We take a deep dive into the theory of competitive authoritarianism and explore the slippery spectrum between liberal democracy and autocracy. Is there a bright red line that, when crossed, will tell us we’re no longer living in a democracy? Is there a form of authoritarianism that uses democratic institutions to legitimize its power grabs? And what happens when even those resisting authoritarianism start embracing authoritarian tools?

Plus, we unpack why the “Is Trump losing?” question might be the wrong one—and how the real danger isn’t just who’s in charge, but how much we’re willing to give up when we think the ends justify the means.

Mentioned:

“Elections Without Democracy: The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism” by Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way (2002)

How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

Bright Line Watch survey of political scientists: NPR Coverage

Steven Levitksy: The Path to American Authoritarianism for Foreign Affairs

Andrew Marantz: Is It Happening Here? for the New Yorker

Zach Beauchamp: Trump Is Losing for Vox

Marci Shore, Timothy Snuder, and Jason Stanley: We Study Fascism at Yale, and We’re Leaving the US for the New York Times

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