What Democracy Looks Like In...

“As Lebonese we love our culture very much. It’s our politicians who are always trying to divide us.” Lebanon has unfortunately dominated the news this week for all the wrong reasons. To help those of us abroad try to understand a little of the context, I decided to republish the lively, informative, and often hilarious conversation I had with Lebanese expat ⁠Toufic Sarieddine⁠ back at the beginning of August 2024. In this bonus version you can hear the full interview in one episode. My conversation with Toufic covered everything from what Hezbollah is and what it's doing in Lebanon anyway, the political quota system that is meant to promote religious harmony but ends up entrenching family dynasties, why Lebanon should really be an atheist country, and the power of charisma. Oh, and listen out for a first on this podcast... an argument *against* democracy. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their country. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption. Subscribe, share, or even support the podcast by visiting www.democracyinpodcast.com.

In Part 2 we talk 'Christian washing,' and irregularities at the polls that go as far as violent intimidation of voters and destroying ballots. Additionally, in contrast to discussions of gender in other countries featured on this podcast ⁠⁠Toufic Sarieddine⁠⁠ describes how a kind of "cheeky bad boy" machoism might actually increase tolerance of corruption. This is the second of two episodes on Lebanon. If you haven't heard the first half yet, you may want to go back and listen to that first! CONTENT WARNING: This and the following episode contain explicit criticism of Israel, of US/European colonialism, and of Hezbollah, and the conversation is often light hearted. If you are feeling sensitive to content of this kind at the moment, or believe you may find this difficult to hear, it might be a good idea to skip these episodes. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠!

A special one-off episode covering the UK's July 4, 2024 General Election. Mary catches up with John, a guest from our first show on Democracy in the UK, to learn how ordinary people on the ground are feeling about the Conservative Party's massive defeat at the Polls. We explain some basics about why this election was so significant, and find out whether it brings a feeling of hope or increases trust in the democratic system. Plus John and Mary discuss the difference between competence (actually getting stuff done that matters) versus made up culture wars (insulting our trans kids). Aren't we all longing for some refreshingly boring competence in our democracy? What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

In Part Two Piero describes how Italy has fought back against the corrupting influence of organized crime on politics. And computer scientist Federica adds her expertise to the electronic v. paper voting debate. We also hear about traditional forms of cooperative and democratic organization in Italian society that continue despite the breakdown in trust in national-level politics.  This is Part Two of two episodes on Italy. Part one should be available wherever you found this! What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

In the wake of 2024's European Parliamentary Elections I interview Federica Bressan and Piero Q.P. Carlucci about democracy and voting in Italy. In part one we talk about how everyday voters navigate elections, given Italy's infamously complicated system of coalition politics and proportional representation. And we get a fresh perspective on an question this podcast has never quite been able to answer: what makes a ceremonial President any different from a Monarch? This is Part One of two episodes on Italy. The second half of this interview will follow shortly! Democracy In... is a podcast that explores what democracy looks and feels like in different countries. In each episode I get the local's perspective on the good, the bad, and the frankly weird of different democratic systems around the world. Find more resources, links, and data about the topics discussed in this episode, and info on the podcast series, at ⁠⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠!

In Part Two of my conversation with Kim and Zeno we talk gender, corruption, social media, and what South Korean voters think about their politicians engaging in hunger strikes. My guests help me understand political acts that might be misunderstood abroad. But also questions that maybe we should all be asking... such as, are angry young incels a threat to democracy everywhere? This is Part Two of Two episodes on South Korea. Part one should be available wherever you found this! What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Season Two kicks off with South Korea! My guests Kim and Zeno explain why every former president gets impeached, why compulsory conscription shapes the way voting is organized, and the pros and cons of a one-term Presidential limit. Along the way they describe a curiously devious way to subvert a system that is meant to ensure smaller parties are represented in the National Assembly. Does South Korea have a two party system disguised as coalition politics? This is Part One of Two episodes on South Korea. The second half of this interview will follow shortly! What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Recorded as war looms, I get to ask some really basic questions like "what is Hezbollah anyway?" and "Isn't having two competing armies in your country a bit problematic?" I also learn about "confessionalism" - a quota system where political positions are assigned by religious affiliation. And in this lively and revealing interview with ⁠Toufic Sarieddine⁠, a member of the Lebanese diaspora, we get a first for the podcast: a guest who presents the case against democracy! This is part one of two episodes on Lebanon. The second half of the interview will be posted shortly. CONTENT WARNING: This and the following episode contain explicit criticism of Israel, of US/European colonialism, and of Hezbollah, and the conversation is often light hearted. If you are feeling sensitive to content of this kind at the moment, or believe you may find this difficult to hear, it might be a good idea to skip these episodes. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Part 1 of 2 episodes exploring what Democracy looks like in India, with father & daughter guests Venkat and Vidhya. We talk about famous political dynasties, whether being a politician should be a full-time job, and how the "states rights" question plays out differently in India versus the U.S. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

In Part 2 of our conversation about democracy in Chile, my guests Paloma Contreras and Rodrigo Retamal explain the enormous political power teenagers and young adults wield in Chile. And we learn what makes casting and counting the votes a spectator sport. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Part 1 of 2 episodes exploring what democracy looks like in Chile. My guests Paloma Contreras and Rodrigo Retamal try to explain the recent failed attempt to re-write Chile's consitution, and discuss the grip the 1973-1990 dictatorship still has on this democratic nation.  What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

The third and final part of our conversation on Democracy In Mexico. Brenda and David reflect on whether the average citizen can make change at either the local or national level. And after decades of reforms, is the Mexican democratic system getting fairer - or slipping into complacency?  What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Part 2 of 3 exploring what democracy is like in Mexico. My guests Brenda and David discuss election security. From voting IDs that take two years to aquire, to narco-trafficer violence that makes the act of casting a vote potentially deadly. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Part 1 of 3 exploring what democracy is like in Mexico (or to give it it's official title, the United Mexican States). My guests Brenda and David teach me what made the recent referendum on presidential power so bizarre, as we compare the federal versus state relationship in Mexico to the US. What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

Part 2 of 2 in our exploration of what democracy means in the United Kingdom. Our guests, Nicola and John, get into debates about what counts as a scandal in British politics, compare student protests in the US and UK, and try to come up with an explanation for why Boris Johnson is still in power.  What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

In this first ever pilot episode on the United Kingdom, I talk to John Leighton and Nicola Sharratt about whether we trust mail-in voting, how easy it is to vote compared to the US, and whether a country with a monarchy can truely be considered a democracy.  This conversation on the UK is split over two episodes. This is part one - be sure to look out for the second half! What Democracy Looks Like In... is a podcast where ordinary voters explain how democracy works in their countries. In each episode an emigrant voter and a voter currently on the ground describe their lived experiences of democracy, of voting, and of trust versus corruption in their home country. Find out more about the topics discussed in this episode and the series as a whole at ⁠⁠www.democracyinpodcast.com⁠⁠!

What does the greatest democracy in the world look like? Let’s go find it! What Democracy Looks Like In… is a podcast where ordinary people from around the world tell me about how democracy and voting work in their country. Local people break down the details of the things you might hear on the news. And we get a glimpse into the kind of arguments and debates people are having with their families and friends around their kitchen tables or at the local bars. My name is Mary, I’m the host and producer of What Democracy Looks Like In, you can find us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - or check out our website: www.democracyinpodcast.com.