As listeners of this show have no doubt noticed, there’s no shortage of articles these days about how democracy is doomed in 2022 and/or 2024. Michael, Chris, and Candis discuss them this week and work through how much weight to give the doomsayers and how to take antidemocratic forces seriously without falling too far into despair.

We also touch on what’s happened in schools and at school board meetings over the past year, and what these developments mean for long-held theories about the power and stability of local government. Finally, we discuss the University of Austin, which is led by several former guests of this show, and whether it will really solve the problems it aims to.

Thank you to everyone who’s listened to and supported the show over the past year. We are taking a few weeks off and will be back with new episodes in January. Happy holidays!

Additional Information

Trump’s next coup has already begin – The Atlantic

Our constitutional crisis is already here – The Washington Post

Trump won’t let America go. Can Democrats pry it away? – The New York Times