{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"...according to the book, The People vs. Democracy (Ep. 34)","description":"The subtitle of Yascha Mounk's powerful and chilling book is, "Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It". Mounk describes populism and the current disruptions in our politics with a sweeping look at polarization, economics, social media and more. But he also exposes something deeper: the rot in our democratic institutions. Individual rights and the world rules-based order are not the same thing as democracy. Now, they may be in opposition. Joining Ben to discuss the book is Alex Slusar. About the Book \u201cWe can no longer assume that liberal democracy is the wave of the future\u2026 This splendid book is an invaluable contribution to the debate about what ails democracy, and what can be done about it.\u201d\u2014Michael J. Sandel, author of Justice \u201cEveryone worried about the state of contemporary politics should read this book.\u201d\u2014Anne-Marie Slaughter, President of the New America Foundation The world is in turmoil. From Russia, Turkey, and Egypt to the United States, authoritarian populists have seized power. As a result, democracy itself may now be at risk. Two core components of liberal democracy\u2014individual rights and the popular will\u2014are increasingly at war with each other. As the role of money in politics soared and important issues were taken out of public contestation, a system of \u201crights without democracy\u201d took hold. Populists who rail against this say they want to return power to the people. But in practice they create something just as bad: a system of \u201cdemocracy without rights.\u201d The consequence, as Yascha Mounk shows in this brilliant and timely book, is that trust in politics is dwindling. Citizens are falling out of love with their political system. Democracy is wilting away. Drawing on vivid stories and original research, Mounk identifies three key drivers of voters\u2019 discontent: stagnating living standards, fear of multiethnic democracy, and the rise of social media. To reverse the trend, politicians need to enact radical reforms that benefit the many, not the few. The People vs. Democracy is the first book to describe both how we got here and what we need to do now. For those unwilling to give up either individual rights or the concept of the popular will, Mounk argues that urgent action is needed, as this may be our last chance to save democracy. Learn more about The People vs. Democracy. ","author_name":"What on Earth is Going on?","author_url":"http:\/\/www.woegoshow.com","html":"