Podcasts about Civil society

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Frances Cayton speaks with four experts on Polish politics about the success of Poland's opposition coalition in 2023, and the headwinds that democracy continues to face today. What challenges do parties and civil society face in building pro-democracy electoral coalitions? If victorious, how do these challenges affect post-election governance and efforts at pursuing democratic renewal? This episode brings together politicians, political scientists, and civil society leaders who each played a critical role in the 2023 elections to examine what made Poland's pro-democracy mobilization possible, the gains the 2023 coalition has achieved since entering power, and the challenges it continues to face in pursuing democratic renewal.This episode was originally recorded as a part of the Lessons from Global Democratic Resistance panel series. The series brings together frontline activists, civic leaders, institutional actors, and field‑informed scholars to examine how democratic actors have resisted, responded to, and learned from democratic backsliding across countries. The series aims to identify practical lessons and comparative insights for those defending democracy today and is organized in collaboration with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University; Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania; the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame; the Democratic Futures Project at the University of Virginia; Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law; and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Mikołaj Cześnik, Director of the Institute of Social Science at SWPS University, Chairman of the Council of the Stefan Batory Foundation Michał Wawrykiewicz, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Co-Founder of the civic initiative Wolne Sady (Free Courts) Marek Tatała, President and Co-Founder of the Economic Freedom Foundation Dominika Lasota, Student and Activist in the Youth Climate Strike Poland, Co-Founder of Inicjatywa WSCHÓD Frances Cayton is a PhD Candidate in Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on questions surrounding democratic backsliding, civil society, and political communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Frances Cayton speaks with four experts on Polish politics about the success of Poland's opposition coalition in 2023, and the headwinds that democracy continues to face today. What challenges do parties and civil society face in building pro-democracy electoral coalitions? If victorious, how do these challenges affect post-election governance and efforts at pursuing democratic renewal? This episode brings together politicians, political scientists, and civil society leaders who each played a critical role in the 2023 elections to examine what made Poland's pro-democracy mobilization possible, the gains the 2023 coalition has achieved since entering power, and the challenges it continues to face in pursuing democratic renewal.This episode was originally recorded as a part of the Lessons from Global Democratic Resistance panel series. The series brings together frontline activists, civic leaders, institutional actors, and field‑informed scholars to examine how democratic actors have resisted, responded to, and learned from democratic backsliding across countries. The series aims to identify practical lessons and comparative insights for those defending democracy today and is organized in collaboration with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University; Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania; the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame; the Democratic Futures Project at the University of Virginia; Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law; and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Mikołaj Cześnik, Director of the Institute of Social Science at SWPS University, Chairman of the Council of the Stefan Batory Foundation Michał Wawrykiewicz, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Co-Founder of the civic initiative Wolne Sady (Free Courts) Marek Tatała, President and Co-Founder of the Economic Freedom Foundation Dominika Lasota, Student and Activist in the Youth Climate Strike Poland, Co-Founder of Inicjatywa WSCHÓD Frances Cayton is a PhD Candidate in Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on questions surrounding democratic backsliding, civil society, and political communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Frances Cayton speaks with four experts on Polish politics about the success of Poland's opposition coalition in 2023, and the headwinds that democracy continues to face today. What challenges do parties and civil society face in building pro-democracy electoral coalitions? If victorious, how do these challenges affect post-election governance and efforts at pursuing democratic renewal? This episode brings together politicians, political scientists, and civil society leaders who each played a critical role in the 2023 elections to examine what made Poland's pro-democracy mobilization possible, the gains the 2023 coalition has achieved since entering power, and the challenges it continues to face in pursuing democratic renewal.This episode was originally recorded as a part of the Lessons from Global Democratic Resistance panel series. The series brings together frontline activists, civic leaders, institutional actors, and field‑informed scholars to examine how democratic actors have resisted, responded to, and learned from democratic backsliding across countries. The series aims to identify practical lessons and comparative insights for those defending democracy today and is organized in collaboration with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University; Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania; the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame; the Democratic Futures Project at the University of Virginia; Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law; and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Mikołaj Cześnik, Director of the Institute of Social Science at SWPS University, Chairman of the Council of the Stefan Batory Foundation Michał Wawrykiewicz, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Co-Founder of the civic initiative Wolne Sady (Free Courts) Marek Tatała, President and Co-Founder of the Economic Freedom Foundation Dominika Lasota, Student and Activist in the Youth Climate Strike Poland, Co-Founder of Inicjatywa WSCHÓD Frances Cayton is a PhD Candidate in Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on questions surrounding democratic backsliding, civil society, and political communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

Headlines for July 08, 2026; As Calls Mount for Graham Platner to Drop Out of Senate Race, What Happens Next in Maine?; NATO Meets in Turkey Amid Crackdown on Civil Society; Trump Praises Erdoğan & Considers F-35 Sales; “Inside the Secret Network Fueling Sudan’s War”: Filmmaker Julia Steers on UAE Backing RSF Atrocities

Headlines for July 08, 2026; As Calls Mount for Graham Platner to Drop Out of Senate Race, What Happens Next in Maine?; NATO Meets in Turkey Amid Crackdown on Civil Society; Trump Praises Erdoğan & Considers F-35 Sales; “Inside the Secret Network Fueling Sudan’s War”: Filmmaker Julia Steers on UAE Backing RSF Atrocities

On today's show: Headlines As Calls Mount for Graham Platner to Drop Out of Senate Race, What Happens Next in Maine? NATO Meets in Turkey Amid Crackdown on Civil Society; Trump Praises Erdoğan & Considers F-35 Sales “Inside the Secret Network Fueling Sudan's War”: Filmmaker Julia Steers on UAE Backing RSF Atrocities   Democracy Now! is a daily independent award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. The post Democracy Now! – July 8, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

Lucinda Rouse is joined by Emily Burt, Dami Adewale and Andy Ricketts to talk about three significant sector stories from the past month.Emily considers the likely consequences for the Civil Society Covenant of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, and the impact of ever-shorter political cycles on the voluntary sector's work to address long-term challenges. Andy provides an assessment of the current state of charity retail, after the British Heart Foundation became the latest major charity to announce a raft of store closures.Dami gives an update on the investigations into the sale of the training and awards arm of City & Guilds of London Institute, including the payment of £5m in unsanctioned bonuses.And Lucinda signs off after nearly four years as host of the Third Sector Podcast. Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zain Johnson speaks to Sharon Ekambaram from Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) following heightened concerns around June 30, asking whether any xenophobic incidents were reported, what was verified on the ground, and how communities are responding in the aftermath.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar Inequality within and outside the household: Reflections from Agnes Quisumbing's career June 24, 2026 Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Agnes Quisumbing has made major contributions to research on intrahousehold allocation, poverty and economic mobility, women's empowerment, and the design and implementation of gender-sensitive agricultural programs. Stemming from her long-standing interest in inequality, Agnes's work on gender, property rights, and women's empowerment examines how inequality within the household intersects with broader societal inequalities. Join us for this policy seminar highlighting Agnes's research contributions, which will bring together colleagues and collaborators to examine the research and policy impact of her work. The event will feature a panel discussion of her legacy, as well as a keynote address from Agnes and reflections from Dan Gilligan, Director of IFPRI's Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit, and Purnima Menon, IFPRI's Director of Strategy and Partnerships, IFPRI. Opening Remarks Daniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI Keynote Reflections Agnes Quisumbing, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Panel Discussion: Reflections on Agnes's Contributions to Research and Policy Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI Maria Floro, Professor Emerita, College of Arts & Sciences, American University Markus Goldstein, Vice President and Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development Jemimah Njuki, Director, Gender, Women and Civil Society, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Closing Remarks Purnima Menon, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, IFPRI Moderator Hazel Malapit, Senior Research Coordinator, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/inequality-within-and-outside-the-household-reflections-from-agnes-quisumbings-career/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

In the opening episode of The Declaration at 250, Michael McConnell introduces former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and historian David Kennedy to ask a deceptively simple question: what does it actually take for democracy to work? Rice argues that the Declaration of Independence marks not the birth of democracy, but the end of tyranny—and that the real work begins afterward. Democracies flourish only when citizens build durable institutions: a workable balance of power among branches, an independent judiciary, and (often most crucially) a vibrant civil society that channels protest into law, governance, and everyday problem-solving. Drawing on her experiences—from segregated Birmingham to global transitions—Rice highlights how democracies fail when executives become unchecked (Russia) or when states are too weak to govern (Afghanistan), and how they can succeed when institutions gain legitimacy over time (Poland, Kenya, and examples shaped by external constraints like the EU). Kennedy responds by tracing the Declaration's promise of equality as principle, observed condition, aspiration, and enforceable law—while emphasizing the tension between democratic equality and a pluralistic society. He closes with a warning about declining trust in institutions and one another, urging renewed attention to civil society—the practical, local, often unglamorous work that turns founding ideals into lived reality. Connect: Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast Website Stanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn Page Stanford Constitutional Law Center >> Website Stanford Law School >>> Twitter/X Stanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X Chapters:[00:00:00] Welcome & series launch (Karlan + McConnell) Pam Karlan introduces the special episode; Michael McConnell launches The Declaration at 250 and the project's guiding question. [00:00:54] Framing the episode: What does democracy need to flourish? McConnell previews the episode's focus on democratic flourishing, featuring Condoleezza Rice with response from historian David Kennedy. [00:02:04] Rice: The Declaration ends tyranny; democracy is the harder next step Rice argues the Declaration is fundamentally revolutionary—overthrowing the old—raising the problem of how revolutions become democracies. [00:06:05] Rice: America's conditions, near-failures, and why separation of powers matters Rice describes the U.S. “luck,” the near-collapse under the Articles and the Civil War, and the Constitution's durability through distributed power. [00:11:37] Rice: Civil rights, law, and a “second founding” (1964–65) Drawing on personal experience and movement strategy, Rice emphasizes institutional change—litigation, amendments, and landmark legislation—as democracy's engine. [00:20:00] Rice: Institutions vs. culture—lessons from Russia, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Poland, Kenya, Hungary Rice rejects “DNA for democracy” explanations and shows how executive strength, civil society, and institutional legitimacy shape success or failure. [00:32:33] Kennedy: Equality's evolving meaning—and the civil society trust crisis Kennedy traces equality from Jefferson to the 14th Amendment and warns that declining trust and civic know-how signal weakening civil society. [00:42:52] Kennedy's question: “Spirit of constitutionalism,” plus depersonalization (social media/suburbanization) Rice defines constitutionalism as lived civic practice beyond paper rights; both discuss forces eroding community and shared institutions before closing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Civil society movement Activists and Citizens Forum, has condemned Speaker Thoko Didiza's decision to abide by the High Court ruling on President Ramaphosa's interdict application. The group says the move breaks with the Impeachment Committee, where most parties had agreed to oppose the President's bid to halt the process. They allege Didiza acted on ANC instructions after the party pushed against opposing the interdict during committee talks. The Forum warns the ANC is repeating past mistakes, saying voters will have the final say. We spoke to Dennis Bloem, Spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum.

In our current generation, we face the unclean froglike teachings such as: Critical Pedagogy, Postcolonial Theory, Critical Race Theory and Queer Theory. We need to stand apart from these, be uplifted and guided from the principles found in the Bible. Then we will “keep our garments” and be ready for Jesus' return. A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] We, as Christadelphians, found this final instalment of the Watchman Report to be an outstanding and wonderfully revealing exposition of the spiritual battle raging for our minds. This thought-provoking and insightful presentation cuts through the noise of modern culture, exposing how the “frog‑like spirits” of Western Marxism and critical theory are reshaping society, education, and even our understanding of truth. Using the sword of the Spirit – our Bibles – we are called to watch, to fight, and to stand firm until our Lord returns. If you're seeking clarity in a confused world, this video is a must‑watch.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction 00:27 – The Battle for Our Minds 01:00 – The Sixth Vial and Christ's Message 01:54 – Frog‑like Spirits: A Challenge for Believers 02:50 – Western Marxism and Antonio Gramsci 04:30 – The War of Position: Redefining “Normal” 05:39 – Civil Society as the Battleground 06:12 – All Education is Political 07:35 – Critical Pedagogy 08:55 – Postcolonial Theory 10:53 – Critical Race Theory 12:31 – Queer Theory 13:36 – Fighting with the Sword of the Spirit 15:04 – The Blessing of Watching 16:10 – Conclusion and Call to Action**Bible Verse Category**

In this conversation, Minter Dial welcomes Kerry Halferty Hardy, a seasoned bridge builder across cultures, sectors, and knowledge silos. With a rich background spanning public, private, and nonprofit leadership, Kerry shares her journey as what she calls a “human Swiss army knife,” adept at navigating the intersections of civil society, healthcare, international affairs, and education. In their deep and wide-ranging exchange, Kerry articulates the nuanced reality of living between cultures as a Franco-American, unpacking the complexities and rewards of a multi-national identity. The discussion moves fluidly across the importance of critical thinking, the power of civil society as the connective tissue in resilient, free societies, and the challenges of aligning incentives—whether across governments, businesses, or NGOs. The conversation also delves into education and parenting in a rapidly evolving world, as Kerry shares her perspectives on nurturing curiosity, agency, and adaptability in the next generation. Drawing from her experience on numerous nonprofit boards—including the American Club of Paris and the World Anti Extremism Network—she offers fresh perspectives on defending freedom, combating extremism, and the responsibility that comes with liberty. For anyone grappling with how to operate meaningfully across borders and disciplines, empower young people, or defend the values of an open society, this episode is rich with practical wisdom and lived insight. Listen in as Minter Dial and Kerry Halferty Hardy explore what it takes to build bridges where others see barriers, and why fostering resilience, openness, and responsibility matters now more than ever.

Human rights are "part of our DNA," according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who is championing a new Global Alliance at a time of rising conflicts, growing inequalities and mounting climate pressures.The initiative aims to bring together governments, civil society, businesses, academics and communities to place human rights at the centre of decision-making ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028.Speaking to UN News's Srdan Slavkovic in Geneva, the global hub for human rights diplomacy and advocacy, Mr. Türk explained how the Alliance aims to inspire action.

John Maytham speaks to Mark Heywood, human rights and social justice activist, about the recent rise in xenophobic incidents in South Africa, the impact on foreign nationals and communities, and the challenge of balancing immigration concerns with human rights and social cohesion. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FROM THE ROYAL PALACE IN MADRID, SPAIN, POPE LEO XIV MEETS WITH THE AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN THE SALON DE COLUMNAS (The content of this podcast is copyrighted by the Dicastery for Communication which, according to its statute, is entrusted to manage and protect the sound recordings of the Roman Pontiff, ensuring that their pastoral character and intellectual property's rights are protected when used by third parties. The content of this podcast is made available only for personal and private use and cannot be exploited for commercial purposes, without prior written authorization by the Dicastery for Communication. For further information, please contact the International Relation Office at relazioni.internazionali@spc.va)

Episode #5 of Empathy in the Age of AI, a special 25-part series: https://tinyurl.com/exyw2nua AI is impacting every part of our lives—and we need to start paying more attention.Listen to this powerful conversation with Valentine Goddard, founder of the AI Impact Alliance, whose work sits at the intersection of Responsible AI, governance, art, and human rights.We discuss:How AI is reshaping culture and civic life and why we need responsible AI governanceThe need to protect human agency in a world increasingly influenced by machinesWhy art and civic engagement are essential to preserving our humanityWhat citizens need to know about political bias baked into AI systemsUNESCO's role in developing human-centered AI governanceWhy empathy and democracy are at risk in the age of AIIf you care about protecting democratic freedoms, human creativity, cultural knowledge, and our shared humanity — you don't want to miss this conversation.00:00 Preview00:46 Episode Introduction02:49 About Valentine Goddard05:49 Valentine's backstory12:49 About the AI Impact Alliance (AIIA)14:02 Why civic engagement is urgently needed to shape AI governance19:21 What does “human-centric AI” mean?23:35 How kids may lose their “cognitive freedom/agency” to AI28:53 The risks of AI companions and tutors33:34 How can art inform AI ethics and policy?37:12 Using art to reclaim agency in the age of AI43:28 Are there political biases in ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude?45:16 The risks of “artificial intimacy” 49:17 What happens when AI starts shaping human thought?51:32 How does fake information on AI systems pose national security risks?01:00:12 UNESCO Report: Protecting cultural data in the age of AI01:10:50 Valentine Goddard's Purposeful Empathy storyCONNECT WITH VALENTINE✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentine-goddard-a4123a1/✩ Website https://www.valentinegoddard.com/✩ AI Impact Alliance https://www.allianceimpact.org ✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gabelle✩ X https://x.com/vavacolorCONNECT WITH ANITA✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com ✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.socialSHOW NOTES✩ Algorithmic Frontiers https://www.algorithmicfrontiers.com/✩ Une Vie Intelligente https://duceppe.com/une-vie-intelligente/✩ Perplexity https://www.perplexity.ai/✩ Claude https://claude.ai/login✩ ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com ✩ Democratic Infrastructure for Creative Futures: Building the AI, IP & Culture Repository – UNESCO Report https://ai-update.co.uk/2026/05/01/democratic-infrastructure-for-creative-futures-building-the-ai-ip-culture-repository-unesco/?utm_source=chatgpt.comVideo edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with William A. Schambra to explore the tension between establishment philanthropy and what he calls “everyday philanthropy”—the grassroots efforts that often go unnoticed but play a vital role in strengthening civil society.They discuss the influence of progressivism on modern giving and why top-down approaches can miss the real work happening in communities. He makes the case for trust-based philanthropy, local leadership, and a renewed focus on empowering individuals and neighborhoods to drive change from the ground up.Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

Transparency is seen as a hallmark of democracy — yet some authoritarian states have real open government policies too. Why? New research suggests a striking answer: transparency may help non-democratic regimes maintain stability, by steering citizens towards official channels and away from protest. The research tests this idea in China and finds clear supporting evidence. Joining host Alan Renwick is Dr Handi Li, Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the UCL Department of Political Science. Mentioned in this episode: Transparency for Authoritarian Stability: Open Government Information and Contention with Institutions in China by Handi Li, World Politics (forthcoming).

Disclaimer: Views are guest's own and not the official position of the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, or any part of the U.S. Government. Visit www.govdiscoveryai.com to learn more about our Defense Business Intelligence Solutions Rethinking Warfare & The Role of Civil Society in Modern Conflicts Guest: Lieutenant Colonel Jahara Matisek Episode Summary In this episode, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare and the often-overlooked element crucial to national security: civil society. Joining us is defense strategy expert Lieutenant Colonel Jahara Matisek, who sheds light on why military might—munitions, strategy, and troop deployments—is no longer enough on its own. Drawing on recent events in Ukraine, we discuss how everyday citizens, NGOs, and community networks are stepping in to fill logistical gaps, bolster societal resilience, and act as a critical force multiplier in times of crisis. Key Topics Discussed The Changing Face of Warfare: Why modern conflicts require a broader perspective that goes beyond traditional military deployments to include civilian contributions. Insights from Ukraine: Lt. Col. Matisek shares his observations from his August 2021 trip to Ukraine, discussing civilian morale, the psychological impact of government actions, and how NGOs are directly supplying drone units. Hybrid Defense Explained: A look into the collective security approach that blends conventional military efforts with unconventional community support to counter modern threats. Civil Society as a Force Multiplier: How local knowledge, networks, and civilian manpower enhance military effectiveness (with parallels drawn to domestic disaster responses like Hurricane Katrina). Institutional Adaptation: The urgent need for the defense industrial base and military planners to integrate civil society actors into war games and strategic planning. Key Takeaways Community is Critical: Civil society is no longer a bystander in war; it provides vital logistical support, resources, and local intelligence that traditional military structures may lack. Integration is the Future: A "hybrid defense" approach that seamlessly integrates civilian efforts is essential for enhancing overall military effectiveness. Adaptation is Required: Defense organizations must evolve, creating adaptive frameworks and hiring personnel who understand the complex intersection of military and civilian operations. Resources Mentioned Old and New Battlespaces by Jahara Matisek: Discusses the growing prominence of sociopolitical-information warfare (Lynne Rienner, 2022). Lt. Col. Jahara Matisek's insights on the concept of Hybrid Defense.

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Nathan Bond, co-founder of Rifle Paper Company, to explore entrepreneurship, education, and philanthropy. Nathan reflects on how his personal experiences have shaped his approach to giving, the importance of clear criteria in philanthropy, and why investing in local communities remains essential.Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

What if "student voice" isn't the goal? In this episode, guest Adam Fletcher reframes the conversation around Meaningful Student Involvement—a deeper, more transformative approach built on student–adult partnerships, confronting adultism, and cultivating personal engagement from kindergarten through graduation. Adam argues that education is not just preparation for democracy—it is the bedrock of civil society itself. When students are true partners in learning, teaching, and leadership, schools become places where young people practice being community members, decision-makers, and engaged citizens now. You'll walk away with practical frameworks (the Three-Legged Stool of School Transformation and the Cycle of Student Engagement) and real examples from classrooms, schools, and national initiatives that make this work tangible at any level. What You'll Learn Why student voice alone is not enough The difference between student voice, engagement, and meaningful involvement How adultism quietly shapes schools—and how to confront it What personal engagement really looks like (beyond compliance) The Three-Legged Stool: structure, culture, and attitudes The Cycle of Student Engagement: listen → validate → authorize → act → reflect Concrete examples from a classroom, a school, and a national policy initiative Why meaningful student involvement may be the most important response to AI in schools Timestamps 00:00 Why students must be drivers in a transformative time 02:00 What "meaningful student involvement" really means 03:00 What student voice is—and what it is not 05:00 Student–adult partnerships explained 06:30 Understanding and confronting adultism 08:10 Personal engagement vs. compliance 12:15 The Three-Legged Stool: structure, culture, attitudes 16:00 The Cycle of Student Engagement framework 20:00 Examples: national PTA policy work, a K–12 school transformation, and a third-grade classroom 24:00 Common challenges: competition vs. collaboration in education systems 26:30 AI, corporate interests, and why student involvement matters more than ever 28:00 Where to start: The Guide to Meaningful Student Involvement 31:00 Learning from non-white and Indigenous perspectives on democracy 33:00 Where to find Adam's free resources and publications Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/258 Connect with guest Adam Fletcher  Website: adamfletcher.net

A free, open, and civil society depends on the freedom of individuals and institutions to direct private resources toward the causes they value. Today, that freedom faces growing pressure as the federal government seeks to use nonprofit status as a lever of political control. Join us for a conversation with President and CEO of DonorsTrust Lawson Bader, Cato Senior Fellow Walter Olson, and President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation John Palfrey on the importance of philanthropic freedom and what's at stake when the state asserts authority over private giving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Romanita Hairston, CEO of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, to explore the power and challenges of regional philanthropy. Reflecting on the legacy of Jack Murdock, Romanita shares how the Trust is investing in nonprofits through capacity building, leadership training, and a deeply relational approach to grantmaking. They discuss the shifting landscape of nonprofit funding, the growing pressure on organizations amid increasing demand, and why collaboration and innovation are more important than ever. Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

My Undesirable Friends: Part I—Last Air in Moscow (2024) is Russian-language American documentary film written and directed by Julia Loktev (with co-director Anna Nemzer). The film describes the effort to maintain press freedoms in Putin's Russia in the period leading up to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The documentary provides an intimate portrait of independent Russian journalists—mainly young women—who risk everything to pursue truth and accountability amidst escalating repression under the Putin regime. Filmed in late 2021 and early 2022, the documentary captures how the legal machinery of censorship, surveillance, and state-harassment converged to crush internal dissent and incapacitate civil society. It not only provides a profoundly disturbing account of what has occurred in Russia but also serves as a broader warning about the fragility of press freedoms and in a time of rising authoritarianism worldwide. Timestamps:0:00      Introduction2:45       How the film came about5:25       A primer on Russian censorship and repression15:15      “Foreign agents” and “undesirable organizations”23:32     Social marginalization through the creation of an enemies list 28:46     State persecution of TV Rain and other independent media 32:45     The manipulation of language36:30     Identifying the pivotal moment 43:36     How the film captures the elimination of press freedoms48:26     Courts and lawyers53:27     The Kremlin's public mobilization to support the war in Ukraine58:53     Independent journalism in exile1:02:17   Parallels to the United States under TrumpFurther reading:Chang, Justin, “‘My Undesirable Friends: Part I' Is a Staggering Portrait of Russian Journalists in Dissent,” New Yorker (Aug. 14, 2025)Edel, Anastasia, “Putin vs. the Press,” Foreign Policy (Oct. 3, 2025)Human Rights Watch, Russia's Legislative Minefield: Tripwires for Civil Society Since 2020 (2024)Human Rights Watch, Disrupted, Throttled, and Blocked State Censorship, Control, and Increasing Isolation of Internet Users in Russia (2025)Krupskiy, Maxim, “The Impact of Russia's ‘Foreign Agents' Legislation on Civil Society,” Fletcher Russia & Eurasia Program (2023)Troinovski, Anton & Safronova, Valeriya, “Russia Takes Censorship to New Extremes, Stifling War Coverage,” New York Times (May 18, 2022)Yablokov, Ilya & Gatov, Vasily, “Broadcasting through the (New) Iron Curtain: Practices, Challenges, and Legacies of Russia's Independent Media in Exile,” Journalism Studies (Feb. 11, 2025)Law on Film is created and produced by Jonathan Hafetz. Jonathan is a professor at Seton Hall Law School. He has written many books and articles about the law. He has litigated important cases to protect civil liberties and human rights while working at the ACLU and other organizations. Jonathan is a huge film buff and has been watching, studying, and talking about movies for as long as he can remember. For more information about Jonathan, here's a link to his bio: https://law.shu.edu/profiles/hafetzjo.htmlYou can contact him at jonathanhafetz@gmail.comYou can follow him on X (Twitter) @jonathanhafetz You can follow the podcast on X (Twitter) @LawOnFilmYou can follow the podcast on Instagram @lawonfilmpodcast

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Sadie Elliott, Director of the Herzog Foundation, to explore how innovative philanthropy is transforming K–12 Christian education. They discuss the challenges facing Christian school leaders, the importance of treating donors as mission-driven partners, and the measurable impact of strong donor development on long-term sustainability and growth. Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/Center for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Destiny Rojo of the PY Foundation to explore how place-based giving can transform a community. Rooted in the legacy of Peyton Yates, the Foundation is deeply invested in Artesia, New Mexico—supporting everything from education and public art to economic development and nonprofit growth. Destiny shares how local philanthropy strengthens community identity, and why unrestricted and operational funding matters. Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

In April 2026, Pope Leo XIV, deep in a public feud with President Trump over the Iran war, made his first trip to Africa. He chose Algeria: the birthplace of Augustine, the spiritual founder of his order. Algeria is demanding reparations from France for 132 years of colonial rule and 1.5 million dead. It's parliament declared French colonization a "state crime" just four months before Leo landed. Before visiting with any Catholics, Leo laid a wreath at an anticolonial martyrs' monument, removed his shoes in one of the world's largest mosques, condemned "neocolonial tendencies" to the diplomatic corps, and honored 19 Catholic martyrs who stayed to serve Algerian Muslims through a civil war that killed 200,000.  The right-wing press logged every stop as an outrage. The Arab press read it as vindication. And the old-school Algerian left noted that papal forgiveness might be easier for France to accept than a reparations bill. Matthew reads the visit through Augustine, historical materialism, liberation theology, and the testament of Christian de Chergé, prior of Tibhirine, who in 1994 wrote about his immanent martyrdom as the insurgents drew near. In his final testament, de Chergé wrote: I well know the contempt with which the Algerians taken as a whole have come to be dismissed. I also know the caricature of Islam that a certain kind of Islamism encourages. It is too easy to put one's conscience at rest by identifying this religion with the forms of fundamentalism of its extremists. Show Notes New Advent — Church Fathers: Confessions, St. Augustine NPR — Transcript of Cardinal Robert Prevost's first speech as Pope Leo XIV Vatican.va — Greeting to Journalists during the Rome–Algiers flight Vatican.va — Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps, Djamaa el Djazair Conference Cnter Vatican.va — Visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers Vatican.va — Meeting with the Algerian Catholic Community, Basilica of Our Lady of Africa Al Jazeera — Algeria declares France's colonial rule a crime in new law France 24 — French presidential hopeful Macron cealls colonisation a 'crime against humanity' OCSO — Testament of Christian de Chergé Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get access to The Backroom (100+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDimeThis is a Backroom episode being released publicly as a window into what 1Dime patrons get regularly. Dr. Jane Hayward, Lecturer in China and Global Affairs at the Lau China Institute, King's College London, joins for an honest accounting: Trump's tariffs, labour conditions, the real estate collapse, Belt and Road, and why decades of “China is about to collapse” coverage keeps ageing poorly. Most conversations about the Chinese economy talk past the real questions. The Western press cycles through collapse predictions that never land. The online left points at high-speed rail and calls it socialism. Neither camp is seriously reckoning with what China's model actually is, what it costs workers, or what it implies geopolitically. If you have never heard a Backroom episode before, this is what over 100 exclusive conversations sound like. Become a patron for full access.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro / 1Dime Radio Bumper00:03:22 Welcome to the Backroom00:07:01 Why So Many on the Left Romanticize China00:17:06 Labour Conditions, State-Controlled Unions, and Worker Rights00:26:22 Trump's Tariffs: Reindustrialization Rhetoric vs. Geopolitical Containment00:39:28 Belt and Road — Is “Debt Trap Diplomacy” Real?00:52:59 China's Real Estate Collapse Explained01:00:14 Why “China Is About to Collapse” Keeps Getting It Wrong01:09:25 Hukou Reform, Urbanization, and the Urban-Rural Divide01:13:42 Civil Society, NGOs, and Internal Policy Debate Under XiGUEST: Dr. Jane HaywardLecturer in China and Global Affairs, Lau China Institute, King's College London• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@janehaywardchina• Website: https://www.janehaywardchina.co.uk/FOLLOW 1Dime:• Substack https://1dimereview.substack.com/• X https://x.com/1DimeOfficial• IG https://www.instagram.com/1dimeman• Channel https://www.youtube.com/@1DimeeLeave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.#China #ChineseEconomy #ChinaEconomy

In a society undergoing rapid transformation, how do people engage in debates around a foreign concept and in doing so, pursue contested political futures? The Death and Life of Chinese Civil Society examines how a group of Chinese intellectual elites referred to as the liberals or ziyou pai edified the civil society project beginning in the 1990s to build an independent space to constrain state power, increase political participation, and promote China's democratization. In the early 2000s, activists in movements such as the environmental and the AIDS movements identified with the liberals and regarded their activism as part of the project of building civil society. However, since the late 2000s the liberals' influence has gradually declined. In prominent social movements in the 2010s such as the labor and feminist movements, activists have openly criticized the liberal interpretation of civil society and regarded liberals' civil society agenda as irrelevant. In the book, Mujun Zhou employs the concept of interstitial space, or the space where the exercise of power has not been fully institutionalized, to examine the history of the civil society project over the past three decades and its changing relationship with other social movements. Zhou suggests that by advocating for civil society the liberals gained allies and thematized many social problems rising during China's economic reform; however, liberals' activism also produced new forms of power inequalities. Mujun Zhou is a cultural-political sociologist. She is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Zhejiang University. Her major research interests lie in issues in political culture and social change. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In a society undergoing rapid transformation, how do people engage in debates around a foreign concept and in doing so, pursue contested political futures? The Death and Life of Chinese Civil Society examines how a group of Chinese intellectual elites referred to as the liberals or ziyou pai edified the civil society project beginning in the 1990s to build an independent space to constrain state power, increase political participation, and promote China's democratization. In the early 2000s, activists in movements such as the environmental and the AIDS movements identified with the liberals and regarded their activism as part of the project of building civil society. However, since the late 2000s the liberals' influence has gradually declined. In prominent social movements in the 2010s such as the labor and feminist movements, activists have openly criticized the liberal interpretation of civil society and regarded liberals' civil society agenda as irrelevant. In the book, Mujun Zhou employs the concept of interstitial space, or the space where the exercise of power has not been fully institutionalized, to examine the history of the civil society project over the past three decades and its changing relationship with other social movements. Zhou suggests that by advocating for civil society the liberals gained allies and thematized many social problems rising during China's economic reform; however, liberals' activism also produced new forms of power inequalities. Mujun Zhou is a cultural-political sociologist. She is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Zhejiang University. Her major research interests lie in issues in political culture and social change. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

In a society undergoing rapid transformation, how do people engage in debates around a foreign concept and in doing so, pursue contested political futures? The Death and Life of Chinese Civil Society examines how a group of Chinese intellectual elites referred to as the liberals or ziyou pai edified the civil society project beginning in the 1990s to build an independent space to constrain state power, increase political participation, and promote China's democratization. In the early 2000s, activists in movements such as the environmental and the AIDS movements identified with the liberals and regarded their activism as part of the project of building civil society. However, since the late 2000s the liberals' influence has gradually declined. In prominent social movements in the 2010s such as the labor and feminist movements, activists have openly criticized the liberal interpretation of civil society and regarded liberals' civil society agenda as irrelevant. In the book, Mujun Zhou employs the concept of interstitial space, or the space where the exercise of power has not been fully institutionalized, to examine the history of the civil society project over the past three decades and its changing relationship with other social movements. Zhou suggests that by advocating for civil society the liberals gained allies and thematized many social problems rising during China's economic reform; however, liberals' activism also produced new forms of power inequalities. Mujun Zhou is a cultural-political sociologist. She is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Zhejiang University. Her major research interests lie in issues in political culture and social change. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

In a society undergoing rapid transformation, how do people engage in debates around a foreign concept and in doing so, pursue contested political futures? The Death and Life of Chinese Civil Society examines how a group of Chinese intellectual elites referred to as the liberals or ziyou pai edified the civil society project beginning in the 1990s to build an independent space to constrain state power, increase political participation, and promote China's democratization. In the early 2000s, activists in movements such as the environmental and the AIDS movements identified with the liberals and regarded their activism as part of the project of building civil society. However, since the late 2000s the liberals' influence has gradually declined. In prominent social movements in the 2010s such as the labor and feminist movements, activists have openly criticized the liberal interpretation of civil society and regarded liberals' civil society agenda as irrelevant. In the book, Mujun Zhou employs the concept of interstitial space, or the space where the exercise of power has not been fully institutionalized, to examine the history of the civil society project over the past three decades and its changing relationship with other social movements. Zhou suggests that by advocating for civil society the liberals gained allies and thematized many social problems rising during China's economic reform; however, liberals' activism also produced new forms of power inequalities. Mujun Zhou is a cultural-political sociologist. She is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Zhejiang University. Her major research interests lie in issues in political culture and social change. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

In a society undergoing rapid transformation, how do people engage in debates around a foreign concept and in doing so, pursue contested political futures? The Death and Life of Chinese Civil Society examines how a group of Chinese intellectual elites referred to as the liberals or ziyou pai edified the civil society project beginning in the 1990s to build an independent space to constrain state power, increase political participation, and promote China's democratization. In the early 2000s, activists in movements such as the environmental and the AIDS movements identified with the liberals and regarded their activism as part of the project of building civil society. However, since the late 2000s the liberals' influence has gradually declined. In prominent social movements in the 2010s such as the labor and feminist movements, activists have openly criticized the liberal interpretation of civil society and regarded liberals' civil society agenda as irrelevant. In the book, Mujun Zhou employs the concept of interstitial space, or the space where the exercise of power has not been fully institutionalized, to examine the history of the civil society project over the past three decades and its changing relationship with other social movements. Zhou suggests that by advocating for civil society the liberals gained allies and thematized many social problems rising during China's economic reform; however, liberals' activism also produced new forms of power inequalities. Mujun Zhou is a cultural-political sociologist. She is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Zhejiang University. Her major research interests lie in issues in political culture and social change. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

In a recent podcast conversation with Adam Lupel, we explored the growing mismatch between today's global risks and the United Nations' capacity to respond effectively. Our discussion ranged from Security Council paralysis and the corrosive effects of veto use, to the UN's limited ability to address contemporary threats such as civil conflict, state fragility, and transnational risks. We also examined why disarmament and prevention—once central to the UN's mission—have weakened, and what it would take to restore them as credible pillars of collective security. Importantly, we considered forward-looking ideas, including the role of an Earth System Council in addressing planetary instability as a security issue, and the need to deepen civil society participation to strengthen legitimacy. These questions go to the heart of a broader challenge: how to modernize global governance so the UN can evolve into a more effective, problem-solving institution at the center of international cooperation. We invite you to listen to the full conversation and engage with these critical issues.Learn more on GlobalGovernanceForum.org

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Hanna Skandera, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund, to discuss the urgent need for renewed civics education as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Building on the legacy of Bill Daniels, Hanna shares how the Fund is investing in initiatives like the Civics Bee to inspire active citizenship and civic knowledge among young people nationwide.Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

8 September 2025 marked a defining rupture in Nepal's recent political history—a youth-led flash mobilization that challenged not only the state but also the very grammar of political participation. After suddenly finding themselves at the center of a political rupture—one that opened up unprecedented space to represent a broader public mandate—Nepali youth were thrust into roles they had little formal preparation or capital for.In this episode, Khushi Hang and Anusha Khanal sit down to reflect on their ongoing research, A Political Economy of Nepal's Youth Mobilization, unpacking what came after the protest. From personal motivations to structural shifts, Khushi and Anusha explore how "Gen Z" evolved from a social to a political group, optimizing informal resources to gain legitimacy. They discuss the factors that shaped Gen Z organizing, its strategies, successes, and limitations.

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Rob Hays—business leader, philanthropist, and nonprofit board member. Rob reflects on the experiences that shaped his resilience in business and his approach to philanthropy.They also dive into his work with institutions like the Ethics and Public Policy Center and the Aquinas Institute, and unpack what boards get right and where they often go wrong.Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

Today's assistant professor has spent his career studying the forces that threaten liberal democracy — the far right, populism, nationalist movements that have reshaped politics from Hungary to the United States. He's one of the most cited political scientists working on those questions, based at the University of Georgia, originally from the Netherlands, and the kind of scholar who combines rigorous theory with an unusually grounded sense of how politics actually lives in people's lives.But today we're not talking about Marine Le Pen or Viktor Orbán. We're talking about soccer.Cas Mudde has been a lifelong fan — not of modern football, as he'd put it, but of soccer as community. He's visited something like 500 teams across more than 35 countries, and he brings to the sport the same analytical eye he turns on democratic erosion and authoritarian politics. Because for him, the two aren't as separate as they might seem.In a recent chapter called "Soccer as Civil Society," Mudde argues that professional soccer is not just entertainment — it's a political space, one that sits squarely in the terrain between the state, the market, and the community. And like democracy itself, that space is under pressure: from the commodification of the game, from multiclub ownership models that strip fans of accountability, and from the slow transformation of supporters into consumers.He's also clear-eyed about the limits of resistance — skeptical of the romanticization of fan-owned "punk football" clubs, even as he takes them seriously.It's a conversation about soccer, yes — but also about power, community, and what it means to fight for something when the odds are stacked against you.HELPFUL LINKS TO TODAY's EPISODE:Cas Mudde on LinkedIn, Wikipedia, and the University of Georgia websiteCas' groundhopping InstagramCas Mudde, Soccer as Civil Society - article as PDFTamir Bar-On's 3 Discourses on Soccer, referenced in Cas' article and briefly at the end of the episodeNEW: send me a text message! (I'd love to hear your thoughts - texts get to me anonymously, without charge or signup) Please leave a quick voicemail with any feedback, corrections, suggestions - or just greetings - HERE. Or comment via Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. If you enjoy this podcast and think that what I do fills a gap in soccer coverage that others would be interested in as well, pleaseRecommend The Assistant Professor of Football. Spreading the word, through word of mouth, truly does help. Leave some rating stars at the podcast platform of your choice. There are so many sports podcasts out there, and only ratings make this project visible; only then can people who look for a different kind of take on European soccer actually find me.Artwork for The Assistant Professor of Football is by Saige LindInstrumental music for this podcast, including the introduction track, is by the artist Ketsa and used under a Creative Commons license through Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/

On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, Kristen Collins speaks with political theorist Samuel Bagg about his recent book The Dispersion of Power: A Critical Realist Theory of Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2024). Instead of understanding democracy as an idealized process of collective self-rule, Bagg argues that democracy's core purpose is to prevent any one group from capturing the state. The conversation explores how this focus on state capture reshapes debates about populism, technocracy, and liberalism, while offering a more realistic account of how power operates in modern societies. Collins and Bagg also discuss the dangers of over-intellectualizing politics, the limits of deliberative democracy, and the role of inequality and private power in shaping political outcomes. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion of democratic renewal, emphasizing the importance of organizing, civic infrastructure, and building countervailing power in civil society as essential to resisting authoritarianism and sustaining democratic life.Show Notes:Virtual Sentiments | Deva Woodly on Civil Society and the Politics of CareAlex Opera, Adam Smith on Political Judgment: Revisiting the Political Theory of the Wealth of Nations (The Journal of Politics, 2022)Paul Sagar, The real Adam Smith (Aeon, 2018)Tyler McBrien, What is ‘State Capture'? A Warning for Americans (New York Times, 2025)Samuel Bagg, Democratic Disenchantment (Boston 50 Review, 2024)Samuel Bagg, Would you sit on a jury to review government regulations? (The Conversation, 2024)Theory of Virtual Sentiments | On Adam Smith's Critique of State Capture**This episode was recorded August 29, 2025.**If you like the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatus

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy Beer sits down with Steve Zabilski, president and CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, to explore how investing in fundraising and capacity can transform nonprofits. Drawing on his experience leading St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, Steve shares how bold bets on development and marketing led to sustained growth for the organization and its programs. Let's go!Sponsored by AmPhil, helping nonprofits advance their missions and raise more money: https://amphil.com/#podcast #interview #nonprofit #newepisodeCenter for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

Check out the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at the Brooks School https://publicpolicy.cornell.edu/masters/mpa/empa/ Policy Advocacy Cornell Certificate Program https://tinyurl.com/22cnm5w3 The foundations of American democracy are facing unprecedented threats, with our social, legal, and political institutions being undermined by their sworn defenders. As challenges mount to voting rights and judicial independence, and political polarization deepens, our civil society stands at a critical crossroads. And yet, through informed advocacy and civic engagement, we can chart a path forward. Join Jared Carter and Thomas O'Toole from the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy for a timely conversation examining America's political institutions, constitutional framework, and civil society. They'll reflect on the historical context of our current situation, assess today's most pressing issues, and explore how this moment of upheaval presents an opportunity to reshape our legal, political, and cultural landscape. What You'll Learn How to identify and understand current threats to American democratic institutions Key historical lessons that can guide our response to today's constitutional challenges Strategies for effective civic advocacy Why a period of political crisis may present opportunities for democratic renewal Follow eCornell on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

Season 9 of Givers, Doers, & Thinkers launches this Wednesday, April 8!

Part 8: We continue our timely coverage of Pope Leo XIII 's Rerum Novarum numbers 36 through the end of 45 in his continued condemnation of Socialism and collectivism against the individual rights of employers, workers and families in 1891, when Socialism was increasingly popular in intellectual circles, setting the stage for the statisms of the 1900s. The Republican Professor is a pro-getting-theology's-application-to-public-policy-correct podcast. The Republican Professor is produced and hosted by Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Support the podcast. Buy me a cup of coffee or ten here : https://buymeacoffee.com/lucasj.mather Warmly, Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. The Republican Professor Podcast The Republican Professor Newsletter on Substack https://therepublicanprofessor.substack.com/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/podcast/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/articles/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRepublicanProfessor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRepublicanProfessor Twitter: @RepublicanProf Instagram: @the_republican_professor

In this episode of the China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Grace Jin Drexel, human rights advocate and daughter of Pastor Ezra Jin, founder of one of China's largest underground house church networks, about the Chinese Communist Party's intensifying crackdown on religious freedom. Grace shares the personal story of her father's detention in October 2025, when Chinese authorities carried out a coordinated nationwide sweep targeting independent Christian leaders across multiple cities. She explains how her father's church — which had grown from a local Beijing congregation into a nationwide network — became part of a broader campaign to suppress independent religious activity outside state control. The conversation provides a rare, firsthand look at how religious life actually functions inside China, including the key differences between state-sanctioned churches and underground “house churches.” Grace describes how government-controlled churches operate under strict oversight — including limits on worship, leadership, and even the number of baptisms — while independent churches seek to practice faith freely but face increasing risk of surveillance, shutdown, and detention. The discussion also explores: • The CCP's strategy of “Sinicization” and why it targets religion • How faith communities are viewed as a threat to state control and civil society • The rise of underground house churches and their rapid growth in China • Why many Chinese citizens are turning to religion amid a “spiritual vacuum” • The role of churches in providing community services, disaster relief, and social support • How new laws and regulations are used to justify crackdowns and mass arrests • The human toll of detention, lack of communication, and restricted legal access • What policymakers, advocates, and everyday citizens can do to raise awareness and apply pressure Grace also recounts the moment she learned of her father's detention while living in the United States, describing the uncertainty, fear, and urgency that followed as she began advocating publicly for his release and for others facing similar persecution. This is both a deeply personal story and a broader warning about the future of religious freedom in China — and the growing willingness of the CCP to target independent communities it cannot control. 00:00 — Introduction and Grace Jin Drexel joins the podcast 00:32 — Background: her father, Zion Church, and the 2025 crackdown 01:30 — Growing up in China as a pastor's daughter 04:29 — Life in Beijing, the U.S., and returning to China 07:12 — Rise of Zion Church and transition to a nationwide network 09:20 — State churches vs underground house churches explained 12:23 — Government control, surveillance, and restrictions on worship 15:23 — Demand for Christianity and China's “spiritual vacuum” 19:23 — Why the CCP fears religion and independent organizations 23:37 — Churches as civil society and community support networks 26:07 — Crackdowns, new laws, and coordinated arrests across China 30:09 — Mass detentions and targeting of church leaders 34:22 — Learning of her father's arrest and initial response 39:00 — Lack of communication, legal limits, and health concerns 41:11 — Advocacy efforts and speaking before policymakers 43:27 — What governments and individuals can do to help 44:48 — Where to follow updates and support the cause 45:50 — Closing thoughts and final message Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW

Increasingly, it seems that a very public and nationalized Christianity is bouncing back as a live, contested question around the world, and there's a temptation to exist on the extremes of either loyalty to the point of idolatry, or total opposition to the point of suspicion of the human beings we need to get along with every day. That creates a dilemma for Christian witness, one that can perhaps only be solved by the courage and fortitude to live in the tension this creates, honoring everyone's dignity, and not falling into a gross idolatry of the state. Oxford's Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology Luke Bretherton joins Ryan McAnnally-Linz to name what's happening as Christianity sees a resurgence in democratic public life, and what faithful witness demands. In this episode, Bretherton reflects on Christianity's re-emergence and the theology it requires. Together they discuss the real-time collapse of secular progressivism, democratic agency, Augustine on glory and shame, how media monetizes suspicion, why community organizing outlasts protest, and how the church might tell a truer—and more costly—story about common life. Episode Highlights "The plausibility structure of Christianity is kind of back in play in the post-progressive vibe shift." "We want to have enemies—it's really hard to organize the world around love of enemies, and it's hard to make money off love of enemies." "How do you express loyalty to your particular political community—loyalty without idolatry?" "The giving over of responsibility is itself an act of self-dehumanizing." "The uncle who drives you crazy at Thanksgiving is also the one who turns up with a bake when your child is ill—that's how idolatry works." About Luke Bretherton Luke Bretherton is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at Oxford, director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life, and a canon of Christ Church. Previously at Duke University and King's College London, his work spans political theology, democracy, and grassroots politics. He hosts the Listen, Organize, Act! podcast. Books include A Primer in Christian Ethics (Cambridge, 2023), Christ and the Common Life, and Christianity and Contemporary Politics. Learn more at https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/rev-canon-professor-luke-bretherton and @WestLondonMan https://x.com/WestLondonMan Helpful Links and Resources A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Well (Cambridge, 2023) https://www.amazon.com/Primer-Christian-Ethics-Christ-Struggle/dp/1009329022 Listen, Organize, Act! podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-organize-act-organizing-democratic-politics/id1553824477 Luke Bretherton at Oxford https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/rev-canon-professor-luke-bretherton Show Notes “Post-progressive vibe shift”; Christianity newly plausible across UK and Europe Bible Society "quiet revival" research; young people back in Oxford churches "The plausibility structure of Christianity is kind of back in play in the post-progressive vibe shift." Meaning, purpose, character; religion in government policy commissions Tom Holland; civilizational Christianity; the post-new-atheist turn Political theology replacing secular ideology: Ukraine, Gaza, India-Pakistan Two dominant scripts: total shame vs. lost glory Augustine's third way: grace, ambiguity, open wounds "How do you express loyalty to your particular political community—loyalty without idolatry?" Local social trust still holds; national trust collapsed Social media systems that profit from suspicion: monetized idolatry "We want to have enemies—it's really hard to organize the world around love of enemies, and it's hard to make money off love of enemies." Think with the body, from place; neighbors before scripts "The uncle who drives you crazy at Thanksgiving is also the one who turns up with a bake when your child is ill." Mass mailing dissolved federated civil society: unions, denominations, guilds Moses's challenge: atomized crowd to covenantal people Strongmen and unmediated belonging; technology and concentrated power Polanyi's two responses: strong man or democratic organizing "The giving over of responsibility is itself an act of self-dehumanizing." Mobilizing vs. organizing; the Arab Spring The Westfield story: a teenager discovers her democratic agency Thick vs. thin trust: the only metric that matters #PublicTheology #PoliticalTheology #ChristianWitness #Democracy #CommunityOrganizing #FaithAndPolitics #ChristianEthics #PostProgressivism #ChurchAndState #Secularism Production Notes This podcast featured Luke Bretherton Interview by Ryan McAnnally-Linz Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Amy MacIver is joined by Dr Edzani Mpaphuli, Executive Director at Grow Great, to discuss Civil Society going to SAHRC on maternal hunger in SA. Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is the late afternoon show on CapeTalk. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic, and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30 pm. CapeTalk fans call in to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 to 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this timely and eye-opening conversation, John Byrne sits down with leaders from the Charity & Security Network, EarthRights International, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to explore how the current U.S. AML/CFT environment is reshaping the operating reality for nonprofits. With the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beginning its mutual evaluation of the United States, the stakes for civil society have never been higher. The guests unpack Recommendation 8, the rise of de-risking, expanding state and federal investigations, and how banks' compliance decisions—sometimes based on misinformation—can delay humanitarian assistance, hinder environmental advocacy, and even jeopardize lives. From faith-based organizations facing surprise information demands to environmental groups navigating criminalization and “eco‑terrorism” labels, this episode exposes the real-world consequences when financial regulations drift from a risk-based approach. The discussion closes with concrete takeaways for AML/CFT practitioners, emphasizing communication, due diligence, and the need for a deeper understanding of nonprofit missions.

Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley analyzes new talks involving Turkey and the UAE, noting U.S. reluctance to support Iranian civil society leaves the clerical regime breathing room despite weakness.1890 ALEPPO

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is leading yet another federal shutdown showdown, this time in support of those who committed crimes both in entering the United States, and those who have committed violent crimes since, rather than the people they claim to represent and the oath they took...