S5 E7 | Games People Play: Eroding the Foundations of Public Trust

The Dissidents

In this week's episode Mike and Elizabeth discuss an article that provides a brief history of how tyrants break confidence in democracy by destroying public trust in institutions, and attacking the government as wasteful and incompetent. The author (Anthony Brunello) describes the tactic of cutting government to ensure it is less effective, thus making it easier to sell the idea that government fails us and only a strongman can salvage what is left. We discuss the author's take on Project 2025, American culture wars, and religion. Along the way, Mike helps Elizabeth understand some terminology (NeoLiberal and NeoConservative) and political history. Elizabeth worries that a quote attributed to Kissinger, " . . . people who have become accustomed to stability can't bring themselves to believe what is happening when faced with a revolutionary power and are therefore ineffective in opposing it," is all too apt apt, but Mike ends on a high note. He believes that American democracy is strong and will survive the current challenges.

Podcast notes

Brunello, A. R. (2025). The Damage Done: A Mandate to Demolish America's Progress Toward a More Perfect Union.World Affairs, 188(1), e12056.

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