How fear, media, and false prophets are reshaping democracy—and how hope can fight back. Host Tina Johnson speaks with historian Professor Thomas Weber about the global rise of authoritarian populism and the crisis of perception that’s shaking democracies worldwide. Together they explore how fear, media, and misinformation empower populist movements—and how hope, empathy, and truth can help restore trust in democratic systems.Together, they discuss:

Books:

• Democracy Erodes from the Top: Leaders, Citizens, and the Challenge of Populism in Europe – Larry Bartels

1. The Radical Redemption Model: Terrorist Beliefs and Narratives – Beatrice de Graaf

• Hitler’s First War: Adolf Hitler, the Men of the List Regiment, and the First World War – Thomas Weber
• New Book Release – Wenn Das Gestern Anklopft – Philipp Ruch, Thomas Weber

Articles & Essays:

• Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)

Videos & Talks:

• Beatrice de Graaf on Extremism and Democratic Resilience) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49GbozEgH8c

Courses:

Understanding Political Extremism: Hitler as a Case Study’, that people can take from anywhere in the world:

https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/understanding-political-extremism-hitler-as-a-case-study/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN23bZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvbIvoLlYXRKKqss6YA1D_ipKMNpcBWOzXUpXpx9Z-VQCuBiNJWjONBP2gZ0_aem_SlV9grcQJ_Sgd8N_sbshNg

Articles & Essays:

• Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)
• The False Promise of Populism – The Atlantic (or substitute your preferred article source)

A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the global challenges of modern democracy—and how hope, truth, and civic engagement can still prevail.

• authoritarian populism, democracy crisis, political extremism, media influence, Thomas Weber, Tina Johnson, let´s talk democracy, populist leaders, misinformation, democratic backsliding, political fear, extremism history