We just dropped a new episode of The Democracy Lab, the podcast from Expand Democracy that explores the ideas, reforms, and civic energy shaping the future of American democracy.
In this episode, host Eveline Dowling sits down with historian Jefferson Cowie to unpack the core arguments of his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Freedom’s Dominion, and dig into the complicated role that “freedom” has played throughout American history. They explore how appeals to freedom have often been used not to expand democracy, but to justify exclusion, control, and oppression, and what that history means for today’s pro-democracy movement.
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Whether you’re new to democracy reform or deep in the work, this episode is a thoughtful conversation about how we talk about freedom and why it matters for strengthening democratic values today.
Stay connected with The Democracy Lab for more conversations with scholars, organizers, and innovators shaping a more participatory, resilient democracy.