Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen

Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen

By Burt CohenSociety & CultureNewsPolitics
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Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen episodes

  • Racism Built Into America’s Medical System
    In his new book The Bodies Keep Coming, author Dr. Brian Williams offers Dispatches from a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal. As doctors know, treating the underlying causes of disease require addressing the whole body’s system. In this show, Williams shares examples of how racism is a feature of the medical system, and not a mere bug. And he’s experienced enough racism and seen enough blood to stimulate this trauma surgeon to run for congress from Texas.
    1 hr
  • Who’s Your State Legislator? It Matters More Than You Think.
    It’s not the way it’s supposed to work. Our founders fought for self-government to replace the distant authoritarian system. As Justice Brandeis said; states are the laboratories of democracy. But they are withering from lack of public awareness of their importance, as compared to the drama and theater of national elections. On this show Governing Magazine contributing editor Alan Ehrenhalt explains why there is hope for better, more accountable self government.
    59 min
  • Is Water Not a Human Right?
    The right says let the market be in charge. Privatizing and commodifying our essential human needs is OK with them. Should we just accept the normalization of hundreds of millions of plastic bottles, for corproate controlled water that is no healthier, often less so than tap water? On this show Daniel Jaffee talks about his new book UNBOTTLED: The Fight Against Plastic Water and For Water Justice. There are solutions. The common good. Give a listen. Here’s a link to the book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520306622/unbottled
    1 hr
  • Today’s Gun Culture: The South Won
    So many mass shootings; how did the gun culture become so powerful? Look to the Civil War: Militarily devastated, the angry Confederate culture transformed guns into a totem. In this revealing discussion, U of Wisconsin-Madison professor Nick Buttrick reveals the roots of America’s mass shootings and says kids today offer real hope for change. Maybe?
    59 min
  • How About A Rural New Deal?
    Liberals usually fail to connect and inspire people of the rural mid-west. And we lose elections. But if we’re true to tradition, we should take the lead in solving rural alienation.  Our guest today Jessica Corbett explains a new report from the Progressive Democrats of America and the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative. Instead of the usual top down, this new idea is bottom up, involving local people, funding rural schools, and job-creating projects. This can work. And help save democracy.
    58 min
  • American Midnight: The Early 20th Century Model for Trump?
    Authoritarianism. Anti-Immigrant. White men fearful of losing control.   Books banned, free press shut down. Widespread domestic spying. Dissent criminalized and many jailed tortured and killed. In his new book, American Midnight: The Great War, A Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis, acclaimed author historian Adam Hochschild says it was the Trumpiest period of American history before Trump. Amazing stories, with both villains and some heroes.
    59 min
  • The Demise of Neoliberalism: It’s About Real National Security.
    Reagan, Clinton, and Obama all boosted neoliberalism. But Biden is showing that he’s on a different track. Democrats in the 90s moved away from FDRs liberalism only to solidify Wall St’s hold on our economic life and political power. In his new book, The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order, author Gary Gerstle says he noted a Jake Sullivan speech, redefining national security to mean average people’s ability to live decently.  A real left is emerging, Gerstle says, but it will be a long rough road.
    1 hr
  • Wither American Arts?
    The writers and screen actors strike is an example of what’s happening to working people: the rents are too damn high. Housing is at the root of so many issues of the 2020s, including a stagnation in the arts. On this show Ned Resnikoff says if we want a thriving arts scene, more affordable housing is essential. the right hates the arts: it is by nature unruly. But it builds identity and benefits everyone. Give a listen; a good one.
    1 hr
  • The First September 11th: 50 Years Ago
    Republicans determined to replace democracy with authoritarian tyranny. No it’s not 2023, it’s 1973 when they succeeded. Duly elected democratic socialist Salvador Allende is overthrown and replaced with dictator Augusto Pinochet. It’s not well known today, but listen in as, first, the stunning report of how America made it happen, written by National Security Archive senior analyst Peter Kornbluh, is read by our host, and then, from Chile where the 50th anniversary is being commemorated, Kornbluh himself explains what happened the days and months that followed. Some important questions are answered.
    1 hr
  • What Is Racial Capitalism?
    They used to be prosperous Black neighborhoods: less than 2 percent unemployment. But through connected processes over the last 75 years, government and banks worked together to create gentrification. Black people were intentionally left out of the capitalist system, frozen out of participation in the benefits of our traditional real estate value growth. And apparently public housing had been good until Nixon came along. On this show, author and professor of sociology Tanya Golash-Boza talks about her new book Before Gentrification: The Creation of DC’s Racial Wealth Gap. The author research saw signs of hopeful change.
    58 min

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