Susan Stokes on Democratic Backsliders

from Democracy Paradox · host Justin Kempf

In this episode, Justin interviews Susan Stokes, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy. They discuss her new book The Backsliders, which explains how economic inequality and political polarization create conditions that allow leaders to undermine democratic institutions. She explores the roles of populism, voter behavior, and institutional erosion in democratic backsliding worldwide.Read the transcript here.The Democracy Paradox is made in partnership with the Kellogg Institute at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. ChaptersIntroduction - 0:20Leadership - 3:51Economic Inequality - 6:35Polarization - 19:35Populism - 27:27Key LinksLearn more about Susan Stokes.Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine their Own DemocraciesVictoria Murillo - The Social Underpinnings of Political Discontent in Latin America - September 23rd, 12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time. If you can't make it, click here to watch the video!Check out this year's visiting fellows to the Kellogg Institute here.Support the show

What this episode covers

NOW PLAYING

0:00 40:42

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Democracy Now! 2026-06-17 Wednesday

Jun 17, 2026 ·59m

Democracy Now! 2026-06-16 Tuesday

Jun 16, 2026 ·59m

Licence - Cheap Grace and Costly Consequences

Jun 15, 2026 ·45m

Democracy Now! 2026-06-15 Monday

Jun 15, 2026 ·59m

Democracy Now! 2026-06-12 Friday

Jun 12, 2026 ·59m

Is It Ethical To Cooperate With Chinese State Institutions To Secure Incremental Change?

Jun 12, 2026 ·53m

Similar Podcasts

Supreme Court Justices Supme All advertisements are placed at the beginning of each episode, ensuring you experience Supreme Court Justices without interruptions. No mid-episode advertising cuts, no breaks in our judicial coverage. Just press play, and let the Supreme Court analysis unfold uninterrupted.When the gavel strikes and Supreme Court justices take the bench, history unfolds. Supreme Court Justices is where the Supreme Court of America becomes essential conversation, where America Supreme Court decisions shape society, and where every ruling—from latest Supreme Court decisions to historic judgments by first Supreme Court justices—receives the analysis it deserves. This is where Supreme Court of U.S. authority meets constitutional interpretation, where justice on the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of U.S. tradition converge.We explore everything that makes the Supreme Court vital to democracy. From breaking Supreme Court today judgment coverage to analyzing Supreme Court latest Civic Media Spotlight Civic Media Civic Media is a pro-democracy radio network serving local communities in Wisconsin. Hear a sample of our best programming from the past week from across our statewide network. Listen Live: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Saturday Sunday Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman Democracy Now! Goodman and Moynihan report each week on the people and places caught in the middle, the ones most directly affected by policy debates, war and social issues. The column breaks through the glib clichés, dogmatic language and overall static that has permeated mainstream media coverage. Goodman and Moynihan’s unrestrained commentary from the front lines resonates with a generation that has an uncanny ability to spot the inauthentic in any discourse. The energy and passion for the truth found in this column inspires and rouses readers young Goodman and Moynihan report each week on the people and places caught in the middle, the ones most directly affected by policy debates, war and social issues. The column breaks through the glib clichés, dogmatic language and overall static that has permeated mainstream media coverage. Goodman and Moynihan’s unrestrained commentary from the front lines resonates with a generation that has an uncanny ability to spot the inauthentic in any discourse. The Open to Debate Open to Debate America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Democracy Paradox?

This episode is 40 minutes long.

When was this Democracy Paradox episode published?

This episode was published on September 17, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Democracy Paradox episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!