Posts

The Rise and Fall of the Second Reconstruction, 1964/65 – 2025/26

Putting the end of the civil rights era in historical perspective: How it transformed the nation, how it was toppled by a raging reaction, and what comes next. Putting the end of the civil rights era in historical perspective: How it transformed the nation, how it was toppled by a raging reaction, and what comes next.

May 17, 2026 May 17, 2026 19 reactions Contains audio

Multiracial Democracy is Young and Fragile

A history of the struggle to reconstitute a nation built on racial hierarchy around the principle of equality – Part I: Lessons from the rise and fall of Reconstruction A history of the struggle to reconstitute a nation built on racial hierarchy around the principle of equality – Part I: Lessons from the rise and fall of Reconstruction

May 6, 2026 May 6, 2026 18 reactions Contains audio

Why the Tech Billionaires Are Aligned with Trump

Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism. Why now? Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism. Why now?

April 26, 2026 April 26, 2026 30 reactions Contains audio

Why Hungary Matters

Six big-picture conclusions from Orbán’s smashing defeat – and what it all means for the transnational struggle against rightwing authoritarianism Six big-picture conclusions from Orbán’s smashing defeat – and what it all means for the transnational struggle against rightwing authoritarianism

April 13, 2026 April 13, 2026 21 reactions Contains audio

Donald Trump Does Not Have a Plan

He has dictatorial desires. But not everything is a brilliant distraction or part of a cunning masterplan. Incompetent agents of malice are not omnipotent supervillains. He has dictatorial desires. But not everything is a brilliant distraction or part of a cunning masterplan. Incompetent agents of malice are not omnipotent supervillains.

April 11, 2026 April 11, 2026 29 reactions Contains audio

No Right Is Ever Safe – but Progress Is Possible

The outrageous assault on birthright citizenship should prompt us to reflect on the fragility of democratic progress - and our own responsibility to defend it The outrageous assault on birthright citizenship should prompt us to reflect on the fragility of democratic progress - and our own responsibility to defend it

April 4, 2026 April 4, 2026 24 reactions Contains audio

What I am Learning from You

A reflection on what you have told me this week – about a sense of exasperation with politics, the search for ways out of this mess, and the longing for optimism A reflection on what you have told me this week – about a sense of exasperation with politics, the search for ways out of this mess, and the longing for optimism

March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 35 reactions Contains audio

I Need Your Support

On the state of Democracy Americana after six months, the pitfalls of the newsletter economy – and what the future holds for this independent publication On the state of Democracy Americana after six months, the pitfalls of the newsletter economy – and what the future holds for this independent publication

March 24, 2026 March 24, 2026 46 reactions Contains audio

How the Hell Did We End Up Here?

From the failed ethno-nationalist revolt in the early 1990s to the triumph of MAGA extremism - A history of the Republican Party, Part II From the failed ethno-nationalist revolt in the early 1990s to the triumph of MAGA extremism - A history of the Republican Party, Part II

March 14, 2026 March 14, 2026 15 reactions Contains audio

From Abraham Lincoln to… Donald Trump?

A history of the Republican Party – Part I: From anti-slavery origins to white conservative domination, 1850s to 1990 A history of the Republican Party – Part I: From anti-slavery origins to white conservative domination, 1850s to 1990

March 8, 2026 March 8, 2026 18 reactions Contains audio

MAGA Unreality vs the World

The U.S. government is in the hands of people who are fully detached from reality. That is a major weakness for the regime – but also a source of further radicalization. The U.S. government is in the hands of people who are fully detached from reality. That is a major weakness for the regime – but also a source of further radicalization.

March 4, 2026 March 4, 2026 22 reactions Contains audio

How Conservatives Gave Themselves Permission to Go MAGA

In 2016, leading conservatives came out “Against Trump” – but soon let their disdain for “the Left” override all else. It's the story of Modern Conservatism in a nutshell In 2016, leading conservatives came out “Against Trump” – but soon let their disdain for “the Left” override all else. It's the story of Modern Conservatism in a nutshell

February 24, 2026 February 24, 2026 17 reactions Contains audio

What is “Un-American”?

We must acknowledge America’s history of state authoritarianism and racial violence – but also dare to claim its aspirational tradition. Make MAGA un-American, finally. We must acknowledge America’s history of state authoritarianism and racial violence – but also dare to claim its aspirational tradition. Make MAGA un-American, finally.

February 15, 2026 February 15, 2026 20 reactions Contains audio

Why the Resistance Matters

Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots

February 8, 2026 February 8, 2026 21 reactions Contains audio

Turning Points and Authoritarian Escalations

Is America’s descent into autocracy accelerating or is Trump struggling to break through the democratic defenses? In Minneapolis, MAGA's worldview is being refuted. Is America’s descent into autocracy accelerating or is Trump struggling to break through the democratic defenses? In Minneapolis, MAGA's worldview is being refuted.

February 2, 2026 February 2, 2026 18 reactions Contains audio

The People Struggle Against Tyranny

Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier. Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.

January 25, 2026 January 25, 2026 20 reactions Contains audio

The Limits of Violent Authoritarianism

Trump’s authoritarian desires are boundless. But the past year proves that his ability to impose them on America is not. Trump’s authoritarian desires are boundless. But the past year proves that his ability to impose them on America is not.

January 20, 2026 January 20, 2026 36 reactions Contains audio

When the State Terrorizes the People

The killing of Renee Good reveals, yet again, Trumpism’s violent, authoritarian essence. MAGA is at war with the reality of American society. The killing of Renee Good reveals, yet again, Trumpism’s violent, authoritarian essence. MAGA is at war with the reality of American society.

January 11, 2026 January 11, 2026 25 reactions Contains audio

Where Are You Going, America?

America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation. America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.

January 1, 2026 January 1, 2026 23 reactions Contains audio

What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About

Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump? Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?

December 19, 2025 December 19, 2025 16 reactions Contains audio

Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals

The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist

December 13, 2025 December 13, 2025 25 reactions Contains audio

Thank you!

And please submit a question for an upcoming Democracy Americana Q&A And please submit a question for an upcoming Democracy Americana Q&A

December 7, 2025 December 7, 2025 17 reactions Contains audio

The Myth of a Rightward Realignment

Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment

November 26, 2025 November 26, 2025 32 reactions Contains audio

Into the Twilight of the Trump Era

What becomes of MAGA as Trump’s hold over the movement is weakening, his ability to integrate its different factions waning? A deep dive into the state of the fever swamp What becomes of MAGA as Trump’s hold over the movement is weakening, his ability to integrate its different factions waning? A deep dive into the state of the fever swamp

November 23, 2025 November 23, 2025 23 reactions Contains audio

MAGA Will Rule or Ruin

A roundup of the latest developments in America’s authoritarian crisis: How the Trumpists plan to bring down the Republic – and how they might react to electoral defeat A roundup of the latest developments in America’s authoritarian crisis: How the Trumpists plan to bring down the Republic – and how they might react to electoral defeat

November 9, 2025 November 9, 2025 12 reactions Contains audio

Escalation, Authoritarian “Normalization,” or a Democratic Turnaround?

One year after the election: What we can say with certainty about the state of the Trumpist assault, where uncertainty lies, and where America might go from here One year after the election: What we can say with certainty about the state of the Trumpist assault, where uncertainty lies, and where America might go from here

November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 22 reactions Contains audio

A Constant Torrent of Authoritarian Arrogance, Corruption, Complicity

American politics is an exasperating, frenzied, and acutely dangerous mess. Let’s sort through the events of the past week to separate what matters from what does not. American politics is an exasperating, frenzied, and acutely dangerous mess. Let’s sort through the events of the past week to separate what matters from what does not.

October 26, 2025 October 26, 2025 27 reactions Contains audio

America As No-Longer-Democracy and Not-Yet-Dictatorship

Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective

October 20, 2025 October 20, 2025 18 reactions Contains audio

We need to talk about Russell Vought – But Properly

Why certain mainstream outlets insist on sanitizing Vought as a devout “small government” conservative – and what actually animates his war against pluralistic democracy Why certain mainstream outlets insist on sanitizing Vought as a devout “small government” conservative – and what actually animates his war against pluralistic democracy

October 9, 2025 October 9, 2025 24 reactions Contains audio

Where Is the Line?

On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America

October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 25 reactions Contains audio