Democracy Discussions

What are warning signs a democratic transition might not work? and what makes it work? Between the Ancien Regime and Strongman Cycles, a democratic transition must act wisely.

Maria Oropeza is a Venezuelan activist and former political prisoner whose livestream captured the repressive crackdown on Venezuelans documenting the 2024 election. She recently was freed from prison, and came on Democracy Discussions to talk about her experiences and hopes for a free Venezuela.For advocates and families of political prisoners, this is the handbook for liberation in English, Spanish, and French and the sequel in English and Spanish https://worldlibertycongress.org/handbook/

Many dictatorships are depicted in fiction, but what makes Les Miserables unique from other works when it comes to depicting autocracy? The psychology of autocracy is depicted strongly

Simon Molina joins Democracy Discussions to discuss how the Maduro regime completely destroyed the education and healthcare systems in Venezuela. The importance of opposition unity and support for political prisoners. We recommend following Simon Molina, Leopoldo Lopez, Lilian Tintori, Genesis Davila, Rodrigo Diamenti, Luis Carlos Diaz, Germania Poleo, Juan Guaido, Maria Corina Machado, and other reliable Venezuelan voices as the regime propaganda is strong and still in place. Freedom for Freddy Superlano, Roland Carreno, Maria Oropeza, Jesus Armas, and all political prisoners

The World Liberty Congress sought to bring over 1000 dissidents together to stand against dictatorships. We need a new approach on universal human rights

Thomas Howes from the Reagan Caucus joins us to discuss how we can break the Resentment Politics cycleAccess the Federalist Here:https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1404/1404-h/1404-h.htmDemocracy in America https://www.gutenberg.org/files/815/815-h/815-h.htmVital Center https://thevitalcenter.com/

Grace Douglas joins us at Democracy Discussions to discuss how human rights activists can better market their message across culture. She also touches on the urgent need to get youth involved. Contact Grace at 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲@𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮.𝗰𝗼 and listen to her podcast at GoalGetHer

Katie Defonzo, an expert in library science and archival work joins Emily Hausheer to discuss the ways archival work and democracy work togetherCheck out these citizen resourceshttps://crowd.loc.gov/https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions

Special guest from Hungary Monica Mercz joins Democracy Discussions to offer an optimistic view of Ai innovation but the need to balance it with community. Based on her research at George Mason University

John Suarez from the Center for a Free Cuba joins us to discuss political prisoners and the reality in CubaCheck out his foundation here https://cubacenter.org/

International Coordinator of Voluntad Popular in the US Luis Ramirez joins Democracy Discussions to provide a new angle of Venezuela

Cold War and World War II analogies are often not helping us defeat the Alliance of Autocracy. Maybe that's because we need to go back further.

Political violence is increasing at an alarming rate- from Ecuador,, Colombia, and the United States we need to break the cycle

Foreign policy impacts your life, you can turn away but dictators are not.

There are more political prisoners now than at any point in history, we need to free them all. Political Prisoner Handbook: https://worldlibertycongress.org/handbook/ The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention https://perseus-strategies.com/wp-content/uploads/Jared-Genser-The-UN-Working-Group-on-Arbitrary-Detention-Cambridge-University-Press-2019-1.pdf

From timeless classics to pressing new releases, there are some great books for prepping yourself to better understand today's foreign policy situation.

From impersonating Americans and Europeans on the internet, to funding influencers, and "politically killing" anybody who speaks against them- dictators are working to expand their narrative control to ways that are more intense than typical propaganda you learn about.Learn More: Autocracy Inc by Anne Applebaum https://x.com/freedomlovererh/status/1825512251584827680

Transnational repression is a growing threat from autocratic regimes. Increasingly exiles and refugees are the main focus of authoritarian regimes for silencing campaigns. Private citizens in democracies from Hollywood to academic are also increasingly pressured by authoritarian regimes.Check out the Lantos Commission testimonies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHbztGzjiU8Report from the European Union Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2025/754475/EXPO_STU(2025)754475_EN.pdf

Autocrats are working together in a global network involving kleptocracy, transnational repression, disinformation, and force. Through conversation, dialogue, and strategizing with people from different backgrounds defenders of democracy can create a better and more democratic world.