If the second term of the Donald Trump administration has shown anything so far, it’s that democratic institutions and norms aren’t self-evident. They can be reshaped, undermined, and even destroyed if a government is determined to do so. Hungarian sociologist and former politician Gábor Scheiring learned this lesson as early as 2010. As a member of the oppostion party “Politics Can Be Different” he watched strongman Viktor Orbán take office—and then methodically turn Hungary into an autocracy.

Quoted in this episode: Dietrich Rueschemeyer, Kim Lane Scheppele, Evelyne Huber Stephens

Mentioned in this episode: The Rule of Law and the Frankenstate (essay), Capitalist Development and Democracy (book)

Music by sam_o.b
Artwork by The Aliens

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