The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization. They claim to work on strengthening three broad goals: American democracy, foster economic and social welfare, and security and opportunity for all Americans through a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

On the 17th of September, Brookings hosted Robert Kagan and Norman Eisen in a conversation, moderated by NPR’s Steve Inskeep, about their recent books related to the cycles in support for democracy and illiberalism. The past century has been marked by repeated proclamations of the triumph of democracy. However, they have proved premature, especially as related to the current rise of illiberalism in the United States and Europe.

What feeds these changing cycles? How can the forces behind illiberalism be stemmed? From the event invite:

The past century has been marked by repeated proclamations of the triumph of democracy. However, they have proved premature. Today, illiberal actors have once more gained footholds on both sides of the Atlantic and across the globe. Institutions in nations regarded as pillars of democracy find themselves under siege, or worse. Two new books by Brookings scholars elucidate the past, present and future of the ongoing struggle between democracy and its opponents.

Robert Kagan’s recently released book is titled, “The Jungle Grows Back: America and Our Imperiled World“, and Norman Eisen’s book is titled, “The Last Palace: Europe’s Turbulent Century in Five Lives and One Legendary House“.

The conversation lasted for close to an hour. Take a look: