Okay, I’m not quite in Rome, but I’ll be travelling there soon.
There’s something about planning to visit the ruins of an ancient empire that gets me thinking about Trump and American democracy. Can’t think why.
On which note, today is the final part of our mini-series on democracy.
It started with Lindsay Chervinsky explaining how the roots of US democracy were established by the founding fathers.
Then Caleb Lines explored the tricky relationship between religion and politics, and how that has shaped American history for both better and worse.
Emma Long brought us back to the Supreme Court, as we dived into just how influential they are and have been, the power they hold to set precedence, determine the law, and interpret the Constitution.
And today, I’m joined by Ira Chaleff, author of To Stop A Tyrant, as we bring all of this together to ask a question critical right now in America - who owns democracy?
This seems like such an easy one to answer, because of course it’s the people, right? But what happens when that order is threatened, when not everyone wants the people to have a say, and when the fragility of the democratic system is tested and pushed to its limits, as we’re seeing in real time with the Trump administration?
Ira elaborates on the dynamics that hold a strong democracy together, and the red flags that could be the start of a slippery slope towards authoritarianism.
The last month has been a fascinating journey into how American democracy has worked over the past 250 years, and how, or if, it will continue to work for the next 250. The entire series is available to listen to right now.
Right, I’m off to pack.
No Friday newsletter this week as I’ll be filling myself up on real Italian pasta, pizza and wine. Food and tourist recommendations welcome!
Liam
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