While the United States slips deeper into authoritarianism, Heather Villanueva and Colin Cole from More Equitable Democracy explore how Germany redesigned their elections after World War II to prevent another fascist takeover. As we prepare to rise to our own challenge, how can the U.S. learn from the mistakes and course-corrections of another nation that's been where we are now?

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Nicola Hieke, Landeskoordinierungstelle Bayern gegen Rechtsextremismus (Bavaria State Coordination Office Against Right-Wing Extremism)

Martin Lange, ⁠⁠Tour with a Berliner

Professor Thomas Gschwend, ⁠⁠University of Mannheim

Jonny Pechstein, Geschichte für Alle

Brendan MacGurk, Tour Guide (to arrange a private tour, email inquiries to bmacgurk(at)web(dot)de)

⁠Music and archival references⁠  

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: ⁠https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/

For more information on Larj Media, please visit: ⁠https://www.larjmedia.com/⁠ 

After the end of World War II, Germany adopted a new electoral system designed to prevent a faction like the Nazis from taking over government ever again. In our new season, we compare how far-right movements operate in modern-day Germany and the United States to explore hard-learned lessons from German political history and what they might mean for democracy in the U.S..

In this bonus episode of 'The Future of Our Former Democracy,' we’re sharing our extended conversation with poet, theologian, and conflict mediator, Pádraig Ó Tuama.  

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/  

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:   

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

This bonus episode we’re sharing a panel discussion between Councilor Hazel Chu from the Dublin City Council and former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Councilor Yemi Adenuga from the Meath County Council, and moderated by Liliana Fernandez from the National Women's Council. Both are women of color who have made significant strides in Irish politics. The discussion covers their historic campaigns, personal stories, challenges faced, and the importance of representation in politics. They also delve into election strategies, voter education, and the impact of the Single Transferable Vote system. Their journeys highlight resilience, authenticity, and the drive to create an inclusive political landscape.

Transcript

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

In this bonus episode, George sits down with Claire Hanna, Member of Parliament from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) representing Belfast South and Mid Down. Claire shares insights into her journey as an activist and politician, her family's history with the SDLP, and her experiences running in different electoral systems. She delves into the complexities of Northern Ireland's political landscape, the intricacies of the Good Friday Agreement, and the impact of power-sharing mechanisms. Claire also reflects on the changing role of women in politics, the challenges of campaigning, and offers her perspective on the state of democracy in the US.

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/  

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:   

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

In this bonus episode, listeners can hear the full presentation and poetry reading from Irish poet, conflict mediator, and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama, which was excerpted throughout season 1 of The Future of Our Former Democracy. Before jumping in, Colin and George offer a quick reflection on the results of last week’s U.S. presidential election and compare the rise of far-right movements in the U.S. to similar trends in Western Europe, focusing on the electoral dynamics in France, the UK, and Germany.

Transcript

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

This episode is a special postscript of 'The Future of Our Former Democracy,' focusing on a learning tour organized by More Equitable Democracy to the Republic of Ireland to observe elections in June 2024. Colin and George recount their experiences at the Royal Dublin Society, witnessing the tallying process, and the cultural importance of elections in Ireland. The episode features interviews with Irish citizens including election volunteers, taxi drivers, and elected officials, providing diverse perspectives on the Republic of Ireland's democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Yemi Adenuga 

Hazel Chu 

Teresa Buczkowska 

Northern Ireland Youth Forum  

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

Video: Ballot Sorting Process in Ireland 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

In our final episode of the season, George and Colin explore the historic and ongoing dynamics of Northern Ireland's peace process, focusing on the transformative impact of the 1998 Agreement. They discuss the establishment of new power-sharing structures and the adoption of proportional representation. More importantly, they discuss how these structural changes to Northern Ireland’s democracy largely brought an end to 30 years of violent, sectarian, political conflict in the region. 

The story of the 1998 Agreement gives Americans permission to hope again for our democracy. If Northern Ireland has taught us anything, it’s that we can—and should—reimagine a more inclusive, vibrant future of our former democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

George and Colin get into The Troubles - Northern Ireland's turbulent period from the late 1960s to 1998. They discuss the social, political, and sectarian divisions that sparked the Troubles, featuring key events such as Northern Ireland’s civil rights movement, Bloody Sunday, the Abercorn bombing and the killing of three Scottish fusiliers. The narrative explores both the historical and contemporary impacts of segregation and violence in Belfast, the evolution of the IRA, and the contentious policies of internment, British military intervention and direct rule by Westminster during this time. We hear from people who experienced the conflict firsthand, and underscore the importance of the early and bold attempt at power sharing, (the Sunningdale Agreement) in arriving at a historic peace accord years later (the 1998 Agreement) an important step towards lasting peace through power-sharing. The narrative underscores the ongoing struggle for power-sharing and the implications of different electoral systems in conflict resolution. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

George and Colin turn their attention to the US – because believe it or not, parts of the US once used proportional representation! They explore the history and impact of ranked choice voting (RCV) in New York City and its broader implications for electoral reform in the United States and Ireland. After highlighting NYC's adoption of RCV in 2021 and its positive outcomes, including a more diverse city council, George and Colin explore NYC's first-ever use of RCV... all the way back in 1933!  

They draw parallels between electoral reforms in the U.S. and Northern Ireland, focusing on their common political landscapes and the systemic challenges faced by their respective minorities. Then for the policy nerds, they dig into gerrymandering and the manipulation of electoral systems, different versions of RCV, and underscore the ongoing potential of proportional representation. They conclude with reflections on modern efforts to revive these electoral reforms, with a case study of Portland, Oregon, and a hopeful vision for the future. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound  

Jenny Lee, Coalition of Communities of Color 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

Article - Back to the future: What New York’s democracy experiment of the 1930s says about today 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/