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Preserving Democracy: Pursuing a More Perfect Union

“We don't want just the veneer of a democracy”

The U.S. wasn’t the first democracy, nor is it the first nation to have issues with it.

Aired 01/06/2022

Preserving Democracy: Pursuing a More Perfect Union

“We don't want just the veneer of a democracy”

Clip: Season 1 Episode 1 | 8m 45sVideo has Closed Captions

The U.S. wasn’t the first democracy, nor is it the first nation to have issues with it.

The U.S. wasn’t the first democracy, nor is it the first nation to have issues with it. Struggles are inherent to the democratic process, experts explain, and America is at a critical turning point. “Very few countries have had stable democratic rule for a long time,” says Princeton Historian David Bell. “Democracy can be very fragile.”

Aired 01/06/2022

American Democracy's “Achilles Heel”

Video has Closed Captions

Experts discuss one of American democracy’s biggest vulnerabilities: race relations. (5m 20s)

America’s long, bitter fight for equal voting rights

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“The fiercest fights of our history have been to keep other people from voting.” (4m 26s)

Democracy is a lot more fragile than many thought

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The January 6 Capitol Riots revealed that democracy is more fragile than many realized. (51s)

Democracy’s strange compromise

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Experts discuss times in history when the nation and democracy were at the brink. (6m 12s)

The “hall of mirrors” of social media and misinformation

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Experts examine how new media and social media are changing politics and journalism norms (6m 3s)

How the two major U.S. political parties formed

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Experts discuss the long history of the two political parties in the U.S. (6m 30s)

“Most democracies die at the ballot box”

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Experts discuss the worldwide erosion of democracy in recent years. (4m 1s)

Political violence throughout American history

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Experts recall instances of violence throughout history aimed at crippling the Republic. (6m 21s)

Preserving Democracy Preview

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Explore issues from the American Revolution to civil rights and the 2021 Capitol riot (30s)

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Discusses Jan. 6, 2021

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Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Discusses January 6, 2021 with Margaret Hoover. (1m 36s)

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