Democracy Deciphered

Tech and Labor

As AI accelerates into the labor market, many Americans are wondering what the future of work will hold, and whether history offers any guidance. In this episode of Democ

Dismantling the Department of Education

When President Jimmy Carter created the Department of Education, he saw it as a path toward stronger public schools and greater opportunity. Decades later, the Trump admi

Consequences of Government Shutdowns

How did government shutdowns become such a recurring feature of American politics? Why do they happen, and what can history teach us about the latest one? New America's M

The Weaponization of Data

Data can expose injustice, but it can also be turned into a tool of control. How do we know when data collection is helpful and when it becomes surveillance? In this epis

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are on the table. To understand what’s at stake, we need to look not just at today’s negotiations but also at the long and tangled

What Are Ballot Initiatives and How Are They Used?

How do ordinary citizens get legislative measures on the ballot? What threats are being made to the process? Maresa Strano of New America and Chris Melody Fields Figuered

How Governments Use AI

Where is AI already shaping government decisions, and how might it be used in the future? Lilian Coral of New America and Amen Ra Mashariki of the Bezos Earth Fund explor

What Does it Mean to be an American Patriot?

How have our shared visions of American ideals influenced the meaning of patriotism? How has this definition evolved over time? Ted Johnson from New America delves into t

The History and Media Portrayal of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the US. What's the origin story behind the holiday? And how has the media shaped Americans' understanding of June

Higher Ed & the One Big Beautiful Bill

Do you have student loan debt? Do you or someone you love plan to go to college in the future? If so, you may want to pay attention to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, whi

Tech Governance in Trump's First 100 Days

What actions did the Trump administration take regarding tech policy in its first 100 days? Lilian Coral (New America), Cody Venzke (ACLU), Neil Chilson (Abundance Instit

Felony Disenfranchisement

Over 4 million American adults cannot vote due to a felony record. How did these laws come to be? And how do we see their widespread effects on our government? Keri Blaki

Who is Gerry and why does he mander?

Where does gerrymandering come from? How has the Supreme Court ruled on this matter? And what attempts have been made to change the practice of gerrymandering? One Perso

Left Adrift

Over the past half-century, we've seen a significant re-alignment among working-class voters. How did we get here? And who were the players behind the scenes? Tim Shenk,

Where Did Political Parties Come From?

In his 1796 farewell address, President George Washington warned his fellow countrymen of the dangers of political parties. Almost 230 years later, the two-party system s

2024 Election Takeaways Part 2

A month after Election Day, New America's Maresa Strano (Deputy Director of the Political Reform program) and Mark Schmitt (director of the Political Reform program) shar

What's the Deal With the Electoral College?

What exactly is the Electoral College, and how has this unpopular system survived for centuries? Alexander Keyssar from Harvard and Oscar Pocasangre from New America expl

2024 Election Key Takeaways

Welcome to New America's new podcast, Democracy Deciphered. This series will untangle the complex threads of today's political landscape through real-time and historical