Dr. Roberto Foa: Why Faith in Democracy Is Eroding — and How It Can Be Saved

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We speak with Dr. Roberto Foa, one of the world’s leading political scientists studying democratic legitimacy and populism. Drawing on decades of research into public attitudes, Dr. Foa explains his influential theory of “democratic deconsolidation” — the erosion of faith in democracy, particularly among younger generations. We explore why democratic values like tolerance, trust, and fairness are under strain, how populism exploits genuine public grievances, and what must be done to renew democratic engagement in the digital age. This is a conversation about the fragility of democracy, the responsibilities of citizens and elites, and whether democracy can adapt to survive the pressures of the 21st century. Support the show