Welcome to The Futures of Democracy podcast. In this series, professors Nicole Anderson and Julian Knowles bring together world leading experts to examine the emerging challenges to, and possible futures for democracy in the 21st Century. The project reflects upon the health and operation of our democracy as a common good in an environment that has profoundly shifted over the past 20 years. 

The comparatively recent rise of social media, concentrations of communication infrastructure and media ownership, questions of internet governance, rights to privacy and access to data, uncertainties about truth and evidence, increased racial and gender divisions, and the overarching challenges to the environmental commons, are issues that impact all citizens.

In seeking the common good in democracy we are asking, what is our shared or common understanding of democracy in a 21st century context? How do we understand the unique challenges presented by recent world developments that have divided the USA, and how do we recognize its unique attributes, values and vulnerabilities? What does a democracy look like that does not divide but unites? And is this at all possible?

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us

Credits:

Executive producers and project concept: Nicole Anderson, Julian Knowles

Series writers and research: Nicole Anderson, Julian Knowles

Production, sound design, and music: Julian Knowles

Project funders/supporters: The Institute for Humanities Research, Arizona State University. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service

Please subscribe on your favorite podcast service to be notified about new episodes when they arrive.