Shadi Hamid of the hated Brookings Institution returns to the Remnant to discuss his new book, The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea. He and Jonah engage in a nerdtastic exploration of democracy—its strengths, its weaknesses, and how it should be understood in the American context. What is “democratic minimalism,” and should we embrace it? Why is democracy particularly well suited to a society as large and diverse as the United States? And what should primary elections be replaced with?

Show Notes:

- Shadi’s page at The Atlantic

- Shadi’s new book, The Problem of Democracy

- Shadi: “Can Democracy Exist Without Liberalism?”

- Biden’s befuddled speech

- Jonah: “The Cult of Unity Is a Poison”

- Jonah on the “Life of Julia”

- Pajama Boy

- Jonah on Making Sense with Sam Harris

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