What Democracy Looks Like In...

“Our biggest flaw as a nation, which resulted to us never really attaining independence or democracy, is that, somehow we have a flawed sense of nationalism. We are very family oriented as people, but the thing is, we value our family more than our country.” Revisit this conversation from June 2024 on Democracy in The Philippines. Jackline and Jabs introduce me to a county that has survived waves of colonial occupation, military coups, a dictatorship, and intractable family dynasties. Our conversations about the role of violence and personal sacrifice in political struggles seem especially prescient, given recent events. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. 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!

“Oh, boy, the corruption. Even people who go and vote, whether they believe, whether they are skeptical a bit like me; they can still say it doesn't matter. Not because my vote doesn't matter but because eventually, when have we ever heard of a politician who had a promise that they kept?” In Jun 2024, following the European Parliamentary Elections, I interviewed Federica Bressan and Piero Q.P. Carlucci about What Democracy Looks Like In Italy. Revisit this conversation on corruption, proportional representation, and alternative ways of cooperative democratic organization in Italian society that continue despite the breakdown in trust in national-level politics. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. 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!

“If you have money, then you are in politics. In India the same thing happens. People in money come to politics and they think that they have to they spend money to win elections, and then they think their job is to take that money back.” In this re-visited interview on What Democracy Looks Like In India from Sep 2022, Father and daughter Venkat and Vidhya demonstrate a generational shift in how democracy is perceived in India today. We talk about famous political dynasties, whether being a politician should be a full-time job, and the significance (or not) of religion in Indian politics. This is the full version of the interview, including part two that was never published back in 2022 because of (chaotic!) events in my personal life at the time that caused the podcast to go on hiatus for a while. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. 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!

“If you're part of this generation, there’s a training that many of us got just because we were young in that moment in history. The way we think about politics and the way we do politics is completely different. We were making important decisions and participating [in national politics] when we were 13, 14 years old.” Revisit a conversation from Sep 2022 on Democracy in Chile, with Paloma Contreras and Rodrigo Retamal, in which we compare how people as young as 14 are taken seriously as political actors in Chile versus the US. Also, why making progress in society through major, transformative legislation is is difficult for many people to accept - may even feel traumatic - even when it’s in their best interests. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. 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!

“How can we talk about Mexico being a democracy if you don't have the basic right to walk around freely secured in all the country, for example, and also to vote securely?…. How can you report on news and how can we have free speech in a country where journalists are killed every day?” Revisit this conversation from Aug 2022 about What Democracy Looks Like in Mexico, with Brenda Lopez and David Palma. My guests describe the challenge to democracy posed by drug cartels that pour money into neglected local communities while also meting out brutal violence. Also the difference between Federalism in the US versus Mexico, and questions about immigration that seem even more relevant in 2024. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. 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!

On Dec 3 President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea caused a political crisis by calling for Martial Law. To provide some background to this situation we are revisiting our interview about Democracy in South Korea, recorded back in February 2024. This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. In this interview 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. My guests also help me understand political acts that might be misunderstood abroad such as hunger strikes.  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!

“I find it hard to get too angry about the Monarchy partly because it seems SO miserable. You might be really rich but… You know the reason you were born. You never have to ask what “Why was I even born?”. You were born to be part of the apparatus of state. Your only purpose is to exist and have babies.” This week I am re-releasing all the interviews from this podcast in their full-length versions. This is in preparation for the last episode of the season, an interview with anthropologist Nicola Sharratt on Democracy in the United States. Look out for that interview, coming later in December 2024. So here we are returning right back to the beginning! To the pilot episode on Democracy in the UK with John Leighton and Nicola Sharratt (yes, the same!) recorded in July 2022 . A time when Queen Elizabeth was still alive and Boris Johnson was still relevant. Was that only two years ago?  This episode features discussion of certain quirky little features of British political life, such as the Monarchy and the Monster Raving Loony party. But also topics that became regular themes on the podcast. Such as, what is considered an “acceptable” level of corruption in politics, versus a scandalous amount?  And who are the non-obvious political actors? Here we talk about the role of Student Unions, for instance. 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!

“There was hope for our country. And then it hit like a meteor. All the bad politicians starting popping up and they are winning out of nowhere.” What does democracy in The Philippines look like today? Jackline and Jabs introduce me to a county that has survived waves of colonial occupation, military coups, a dictatorship, and intractable family dynasties. But in 2016 it was hit by a then underestimated threat to democracy: Facebook.  This is Part one of two episodes on The Philippines. The second half of the conversation will be posted soon after this one.  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!

“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!

In Part Two of my conversation with Jackline and Jabs about voting and politics in The Philippines, I learn about the active role the Catholic Church plays in Filipino elections – something that hasn’t come up in other countries featured in this podcast before. Also the influence of China, everyday corruption, and whether electronic voting prevents violence on election day. This is Part Two of Two episodes on The Philippines. The second half of the conversation will be posted soon after this one.  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!