The Civic Forum

Will AI empower dictatorships to exert Orwellian level control over their citizens? In this session of Civic Forum, Rory is joined by two leading experts on China's censorship, propaganda, and surveillance practices, Margaret Roberts from UCSD, and Stanford's Jennifer Pan. The conversation focuses on whether and AI is shifting the balance of power in favor of authoritarian governments, how China's own practices have changed, and how AI may empower normal citizens in repressive contexts.

Rory is joined by ex-FBI special agent and Yale lecturer Asha Rangappa to talk about how the FBI has lost its way. Asha discusses her own experience as an agent, and how the values of Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity are instilled in young agents. The conversation focuses on the guardrails that were put in place to preserve the independence of the FBI and DOJ, and how those guardrails have eroded in the last ten years. Topics covered include the Russia investigation, the balance between first amendment rights and national security, the legacy of Robert Mueller, the nature of Trump's FBI, and whether and how public confidence in the FBI can be restored.

What the prospects for democracy in Iran? What will happen to the regime after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei? What is the level of support for regime? In this "emergency" episode, Rory is joined by Daniel Tavana, a professor at Penn State University and expert on Iranian politics and society. Dan provides a primer on all things Iran and assesses the likely outcomes of this war.

How has Donald Trump changed the American presidency? How does his challenge to the Constitution fit in context with other backlash presidents like Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon? In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory is joined by Julia Azari, a leading scholar of presidential politics. They debrief the State of the Union, and then discuss Azari's theory of backlash presidencies. They close with a lengthy discussion of race and authoritarianism in America.

In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory speaks with authoritarianism scholar Dr. Marcel Dirsus, author of How Tyrants Fall, about whether the US is entering a period of authoritarianism and what stands out as unique about Trump. They discuss democratic backsliding, how governments tilt the electoral playing field, and why threats to the judiciary and control of security forces are key warning signs. They examine ICE as a potentially paramilitary, politically loyal force that could be used for intimidation, vote suppression, or protest crackdowns, and contrast these risks with the U.S. military’s tradition of nonpartisanship. The conversation also covers how authoritarian leaders can pressure media without overt violence, how incompetence and sycophancy create blind spots and policy blunders and Dirsus’s “dictator’s treadmill” and corruption as mechanisms that trap leaders and bind elites through shared risk. They explore elite defection dynamics inside the Republican Party, debates over accountability versus “golden parachutes,” and practical advice for ordinary citizens focused on winning elections, coordinated nonviolent resistance, and preventing hopelessness.

Rory is joined by Ex-CIA official Steven Cash to discuss the threats posed by Donald Trump to American democracy. Cash is the director of the Steady State, a group of former national security professionals dedicated to nonpartisanship and the preservation of American democracy. They discuss the culture of the intelligence community, how the national security has changed under Trump 2.0, whether ICE can be considered a paramilitary force, and potential threats to the 2026 election. The discussion highlights the importance of civic engagement and the potential threats to upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for citizens to actively participate in protecting democratic values with nonviolent activism.

Venezuela... Greenland... Iran... Denmark?. The list of Trump's foreign policy adventures seems to grow by the day. Rory Truex is joined by Paul Poast, Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, to help make sense of it all. They examine Trump as a ``19th-century president" operating in the modern international system, the logic of American interventionism, and the implications for the world order after Trump.

In this solo episode, Rory examines the state of American democracy under Donald Trump. He discusses the four distinct chapters in Trump's authoritarian power grab. This episode also explores the resilience of American society, and closes with a note of optimism and predictions for 2026.

Is Venezuela heading toward regime change? Are the U.S. and Venezuela destined for war? Why is Trump so interested in Venezuela, and what will be the fate of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro? Rory Truex is joined on The Civic Forum by University of Chicago's Michael Albertus, a leading scholar of Latin American politics, to break down the state of politics in Venezuela and possible outcomes moving forward.

Bridge Grades founder Brad Porteus joins Rory Truex on The Civic Forum to explain how polarization is shaping Congress and why some lawmakers work across the aisle while others fuel division. The conversation breaks down how Bridge Grades scores members of Congress, what collaboration really looks like in practice, and why bipartisan behavior is often hidden from public view. The episode explores the incentives that push legislators toward zero-sum politics, the role of social media in amplifying outrage, and the long-term consequences for American democracy. Viewers will learn how the “bridgers vs. dividers” framework works, how rhetoric and legislative action are measured, and what healthier political incentives might look like.

American democracy isn’t unraveling in Washington—it’s happening in the states. In this episode, Rory Truex talks with political scientist Jake Grumbach, author of Laboratories Against Democracy, about how federalism, once a safeguard of liberty, has become a major engine of democratic backsliding. Grumbach explains what his State Democracy Index reveals about gerrymandering, voter suppression, election subversion, and the growing power of nationalized parties in places like Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas, and California.We explore why state legislatures now drive the national political agenda, how partisan networks shape policy in state capitals, and why the erosion of voting rights and fair representation at the state level poses a deeper threat than most Americans realize.

What does a second Trump term actually mean for U.S.–China relations? Could Washington and Beijing find their way to a political truce, or are we headed toward a sharper, more dangerous phase of rivalry? In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex talks with Jessica Chen Weiss about the state and stakes of U.S.-China relations. They get into Trump’s emerging approach to China, Xi Jinping’s incentives at home and abroad, and how trade, technology, and Taiwan fit into the broader picture. The conversation closes with a note on the need to move beyond Cold War thinking in the relationship.

In this episode of the Civic Forum, Rory Truex, an associate professor from Princeton University, discusses the intersection of democracy and the business community with Daniella Ballou-Aares, the founder of The Leadership Now Project. The conversation explores the importance of business engagement in democratic processes, the challenges of forming cross-partisan coalitions, and the role of informed business leaders in promoting rule of law and economic stability. Daniella shares insights from Leadership Now's initiatives, such as the 'Pass the Torch' campaign and advocacy on H1-B visas and electoral reforms. The episode also touches on responding to authoritarian threats, state capitalism, and crafting effective forms of influence through public statements, private actions, and strategic investment in pro-democracy candidates and policies.Subscribe to The Civic Forum: https://rorytruex.substack.com/Follow Daniella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-ballou-aares-b117a/00:00 Introductions01:19 The Business Community's Role in Democracy08:58 Impact of Political Climate on Business15:11 Strategies for Effective Advocacy23:32 Solidarity and Collective Action28:06 Business Responses to Social Issues29:17 Public Pressure on Corporations31:15 Corporate Advocacy and Effectiveness36:09 Domain-Specific Activism38:00 Authoritarianism in the Tech Industry43:48 State Capitalism and Industrial Policy52:19 Career Advice and Personal Reflections

Indivisible's Ezra Levin joins Rory Truex to reflect on No Kings, the Democrats' November 2025 election wins, and where the pro-democracy movement goes from here.

Are America’s courts still capable of protecting the rule of law in the face of Trump's authoritarian power grab? In this episode, Princeton constitutional scholar Deborah Pearlstein joins Rory Truex on The Civic Forum to break down the state of the courts — and whether legal institutions are equipped to defend democracy in this moment.

New America's Lee Drutman joins Rory Truex to explain how the U.S. two-party system fuels polarization, gridlock, and democratic decline—and how reforms like proportional representation and fusion voting could help fix it.

In this week’s episode of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex is joined by Holden Thorp, the Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals. They discuss the state of American science and how Trump's attacks on universities may make U.S. science fall behind. They also discuss ways universities must improve their relationship with the American public and how far science has come in China.

In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory leads a conversation with four leading scholars of democratic erosion — Steven Levitsky (Harvard), Adam Przeworski (NYU), Susan Stokes (UChicago), and Daniel Ziblatt (Harvard) — on the current state of American democracy. They discuss what's surprising and unique about Trump's authoritarian power grab, the state of political opposition, strategies for the Democratic Party, and what normal people can do in a time like this.

In this week’s episode of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex is joined by Kevin Arceneaux, professor at Sciences Po and leading expert on political psychology, to explore how Americans really think about democracy, authoritarianism, and political violence.They discuss:- Why most Americans support democracy in the abstract, but may condone bad behavior when their side benefits.- The rise of the “need for chaos”- How Americans view political violence and how escalation can be stopped- What citizens and leaders can do to reduce polarization and defend democracy.

Is American democracy in crisis? In this week’s episode of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex is joined by Dartmouth professors John Carey and Brendan Nyhan, co-founders of Bright Line Watch, the project tracking democratic backsliding in America.They discuss:Why expert ratings of U.S. democracy have dropped to historic lows.Why the U.S. may now resemble countries like Brazil or Hungary more than Canada or the U.K.The failure of Congress and political elites to check presidential power.Whether Democrats should “fight fire with fire” or risk deepening the spiral.What ordinary citizens can do to push back against authoritarianism.

In this week’s session of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something. Amanda explains why America’s political system is dominated by older leaders, and how young people can step up.We discuss:Why the U.S. is a gerontocracy, and how it affects democracy.The underrepresentation of Millennials, Gen Z, women, and working-class people in Congress.The structural barriers that keep young and diverse candidates from running.How Run for Something recruits and supports first-time candidates across the country.What it means to be authentic as a politicianAmanda’s vision for political reform — from campaign finance to paying public servants fairly.

In this week’s session of The Civic Forum, Rory is joined by Princeton professor Kim Lane Scheppele, who explains how Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz Party consolidated power in Hungary — and how Donald Trump and his allies are adopting Orbán’s authoritarian playbook in the United States through Project 2025.Key topics:- How Orbán dismantled Hungary’s democracy in just three years.-The direct connections between Orbán’s network and Project 2025 in the U.S.-How Trump is adapting Orbán’s strategies to American institutions.-What Democrats can do to fight back without embracing authoritarianism. Long-term reforms that could help restore U.S. democracy.

In this week's session, Rory is joined by Erica Chenoweth, a professor in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and one the country's leading experts on social movements and nonviolent resistance. Erica provides opening remarks about what we know about when social movements and nonviolent resistance are effective. They then provide an assessment of the state of the pro-democracy movement in the United States, highlighting the importance of building momentum and the role of small protests. The conversation closes with a discussion of why ideas matter for a social movement, and how the current movement needs to be about more than just "anti-Trump."

In this week's session, Rory Truex is joined by Princeton Professor Mark Beissinger, an expert on Russia and post-communist countries. Mark provides an update on the state of the war in Ukraine, focusing on the political calculations of Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump. Mark and Rory then discuss the possibility for peace and the relationships between Trump and Putin. The conversation closes with an assessment of the pro-democracy movement in the United States, where Mark draws on his research on social movements.

In this week's session, Rory Truex is joined by Princeton Professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor for a short lecture about MAGA, Race, and Black History. Keeanga's opening remarks focus on how race is being constructed differently in the second Trump administration. Keeanga and Rory discuss how Critical Race Theory has been recoded and misrepresented. The conversation closes with strategies to promote cross-racial working class solidarity and thoughts on where the pro-democracy movement can go from here.

In this week's session, Rory Truex is joined by NYU Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a leading scholar of fascism and author of the popular book Strongmen. Ruth focuses her opening remarks on what's innovative about Trump's authoritarian playbook. The conversation then turns to the distinction between conservatism and authoritarianism and the growing moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party. Ruth and Rory then discuss what's different about the U.S. and whether American democracy can withstand Trump's assault. The conversation closes with advice for people on what they can do at a time like this. The Civic Forum is a video podcast about democracy, featuring people who study it, practice it, and work to protect it. It is hosted by Rory Truex, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.