Freedom vs. Democracy - The Democracy Lab

What this episode covers

Historian Jefferson Cowie joins Expand Democracy Senior Fellow and Research Analyst Eveline Dowling to unpack the core arguments of his book Freedom’s Dominion and the complicated role “freedom” has played in American history. They explore how appeals to freedom have often been used not to expand democracy, but to justify exclusion, control, and oppression. The conversation closes with a timely discussion on what this history means for today’s pro-democracy movement—and how organizers can talk about freedom in ways that truly strengthen democratic values.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Democracy Lab?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this The Democracy Lab episode published?

This episode was published on January 23, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Historian Jefferson Cowie joins Expand Democracy Senior Fellow and Research Analyst Eveline Dowling to unpack the core arguments of his book Freedom’s Dominion and the complicated role “freedom” has played in American history. They explore how...

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