democracyFIRST

Watch Prof. Joanne Freeman, leading Yale historian and expert of American history, explain why we can’t take our democracy for granted and need to continue the fight to preserve the core principles of our constitutional republic.

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat sheds light on the orchestrated chaos unfolding in 2025 under Trump's administration. She emphasizes that the systematic dismantling of the federal government is not haphazard but rather a calculated strategy known as "Autocratic Capture.”

In August 2024, democracyFIRST launched the United to Preserve Democracy and the Rule of Law speaker series. The project brought leading historians and experts on US History, authoritarianism, fascism, and democracy to counties in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 11 of the public events (there were over 40 in September and October) are now available to listen to (ad free!) via wherever you get your podcasts. The discussions on the future of American Democracy are with Doris Kearns Goodwin, Stephen Marche, Tim Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Anne Applebaum, Jason Stanley, Joanne Freeman, Heather Cox Richardson, Jonathan Alter, Daniel Ziblatt, Stephen Levitsky, and Barbara F. Walter. Moderatoring these events are Ryan Struyk, Neil Makhija, Allyssa Farah Griffin, Jack Sellers, Jordan Wood, and Nikil Saval. https://lnkd.in/ewegkr5f

My favorite democracyFIRST project in 2024 was the United to Preserve speaker series (h/t Julian W.). We brought some of the country's leading historians and experts on authoritarianism, fascism, and democracy to Battleground counties in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 11 of those public events (there were over 40 in September and October) are now available via podcast. They include discussions with Stephen Marche, Tim Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Anne Applebaum, Jason Stanley, Joanne Freeman, Heather Cox Richardson, Jonathan Alter, Daniel Ziblatt, Stephen Levitsky, Barbara F. Walter, Ryan Struyk, Neil Makhija, Allyssa Farah Griffin, and more. https://lnkd.in/eaMGDpW8

Many of us are demoralized by the election results and concerned about the future of our democracy and country… it’s a good time to listen to some of the leading historians and experts on democracy, fascism, and authoritarianism. The road ahead won’t be easy, but as these authors explain, the promise of democracy gives us hope. democracyFIRST uploaded a handful of the public conversations we hosted in September and October with authors like Ruth Ben-Ghiat Heather Cox Richardson, Timothy Snyder, Joanne Freeman, Doris Kearns Goodwin and more. Find them wherever you get your podcasts! Big thank you to Julian W. for overseeing this program and to our moderators (Ryan Struyk!) and others. Listen, share, rate, etc. etc. Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eM5nqWWu Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eVTYRV3X

Join us in Milwaukee! This event will feature Barbra Walter, Professor of International Affairs at UC San Diego and one of the world's leading experts on civil wars, violent extremism, and domestic terrorism. In this moderated discussion, with WTMJ Radio Host Kristin Brey., Walter will discuss the lessons from her New York Times bestseller "How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them." The first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of the book.

No matter their political party, voters across the country know we need a leader who will defend our Democracy and bring us together. They're outright rejecting candidates who seek to dismantle our democratic norms and tear us apart. https://lnkd.in/gUT-rZ6s

Don't live near Montgomery County, Pennsylvania but still want to see our event TONIGHT with Liz Cheney, Sarah Matthews, Cassidy Hutchinson & Alyssa Farah? Tune in via the live stream and hear why preserving democracy and the rule of law transcend party affiliation. https://lnkd.in/gxEPzsJj

Hey friends! So excited to head back to my hometown of Grand Rapids in battleground Michigan to moderate a conversation with Yale University historian Joanne Freeman with just 19 days to Election Day at my alma mater Calvin University with democracyFIRST! You can RSVP here if you're in town or watch the livestream: https://lnkd.in/efAHBz7n

DemocracyFIRST is thrilled to announce that Nevada Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui (D-41) has committed to putting democracy FIRST by signing on to the Promise. Rep. Jauregui has proudly served Nevada’s 41st District and has been an ardent defender of democracy since day one. Thank you, Rep. Jauregui!