Solutions with Henry Blodget

Episode: The U.S. Needs a Democracy Movement

Guest: Anne Applebaum
Date: October 13, 2025
Produced by Vox Media Podcast Network

Overview

In this episode, host Henry Blodget welcomes acclaimed journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, renowned expert on autocracy and author of Autocracy, Inc.. Together, they address the increasing slide towards autocracy in the U.S. and globally, discussing the root causes, historical context, the vital importance of democracy (despite its imperfection), and, most importantly, solutions—both individual and collective—that Americans can adopt to preserve and strengthen democratic institutions. Drawing on recent U.S. events and international examples, Applebaum provides actionable advice and insight into the mechanics of democratic decline and resurgence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Democracy and its Fragility

• Democracy is Rare and Imperfect:

  • Applebaum emphasizes democracy as an aspiration, not a state of perfection.

    "It's a system that implies that people continue working toward improving it and it's maybe never perfect." (A, 03:02)

  • Democracies are historically rare, often fragile, and usually fail. Most of history is dominated by autocracies.

    "Modern democracies are unique and they require special care and attention." (A, 05:10)

• Democracy vs. Autocracy:

  • Applebaum outlines democracy’s strengths: succession planning, citizen participation, and protection of civil/human rights.
  • Non-democratic systems concentrate power, facilitate theft, and silence the populace.

2. Understanding Today’s Drift Towards Autocracy

• Change via Elected Governments:

  • Autocracy today rarely starts with coups. Instead, elected governments change rules to entrench themselves.

    "Autocracy does not come in with coups and tanks. It usually is...an elected government that simply starts to change the rules to perpetuate itself." (B, 01:11)

• Is the Shift Permanent or Cyclical?

  • Applebaum rejects determinism, insists history is shaped by human choices:

    "Nothing is ever permanent and nothing ever ends for good...Everything depends on choices that people make...in the next few years." (A, 07:20)

3. How Did We Get Here? Missed Opportunities

• Poor regulation at critical junctures:
  • Social media could have prioritized sensible debate over outrage and anger.
  • Allowing secret money flows (dark money, shell companies) helped autocrats thrive.
  • Political systems fueled by unchecked money led to leaders being more beholden to donors than voters.

    "The flaws of the political system that we see now are the result of all those kinds of things not being done or not being changed earlier." (A, 10:36)

4. Contested Notions of Freedom (U.S.-Specific)

• Different “Freedoms” in American History:
  • Applebaum draws upon Jefferson Cowie and Timothy Snyder to illustrate two concepts:
    1. Freedom from federal interference (historically invoked for oppression)
    2. Freedom as mutual rights, rooted in responsibility and equality
  • Snyder: You can only enjoy freedom when basic needs are met and society isn't chaotic.

    "It's meaningless to be free if you have nothing to eat, ...nowhere to live...if you live in a chaotic and anarchic society." (A, 12:40)

5. Polarization, Intolerance, and Media Capture

• Concerns about campus and cultural intolerance (the “New Puritans”):
  • A moment of cultural intolerance on the left existed, but it was mostly non-governmental and seems to be fading.

    "There was a moment of intolerance that was beginning to fade away..." (A, 14:45)

  • In contrast, state power is now being used to enforce ideology—especially targeting universities and research funding.
• Media Landscape Misconceptions:
  • Right-wing views dominate social/digital media; universities naturally value evidence, hence tension with right’s skepticism.

    "...it's a very strange thing to say that somehow the left is dominating the national conversation because that's not true and it hasn't been true for a really long time." (A, 17:49)

6. Checks and Balances in Peril

• Applebaum reiterates U.S. founders' fear of an overmighty executive; current Congressional deference is historically unprecedented and dangerous.

  “Congress is led by people...deferring to the executive in a way that was not done in the past.” (A, 22:05)

7. Restoring Democracy After Autocracy: Lessons from Abroad

• War and Revolution Are Common Paths:
  • Most historic reversals of autocracy (e.g., post-WWII Europe, Ukraine) required mass mobilization or conflict.
• Peaceful Reversal is Possible – Poland’s Example (2023):
  • Poland’s democratic coalition—center-left to center-right—defeated autocratic populists via record turnout, focusing on:
    • Corruption
    • Abuse of power
    • Protecting independent courts
  • Key: cross-ideological unity and a focus on systemic reforms.

    "...by electing that coalition into power, they ended this trajectory." (A, 24:14)

8. Threats to U.S. 2026/2028 Elections

• Federal Manipulation Concerns:
  • DOJ pressuring states about voter rolls; fears of national registration aimed at voter suppression.
  • Possible use of National Guard and emergency powers to intimidate or suspend voting.
  • Information control: Pressure on media and social platforms might reduce electoral fairness.

    "There are reasons to worry and to pay attention to the midterms and to worry about whether they'll be as free as they could be and as fair as they could be." (A, 35:46)

9. What Can Be Done? Solutions for Citizens and Institutions

• Civic Engagement:
  • Know and support local candidates, volunteer as a poll worker, join pro-democracy organizations.

    "You should be involved in local politics...consider being a poll worker..." (A, 36:14)

  • The worst response is apathy: that’s exactly what autocrats want.

    "One of the best ways to fight against that feeling is to be engaged one way or another in politics..." (A, 37:47)

• Legal Resistance:
  • Lawyers can assist litigation to uphold fair elections and free speech.

    "If you're a lawyer...help them by being part of litigation..." (A, 36:45)

• Need for a National Democracy Movement:
  • Emulate Poland’s cross-ideological coalition: unite around democracy basics, not partisan issues.

    "What we really need is something broader than the Democratic Party...almost a democracy movement." (A, 39:31)

• International Solidarity & Lessons:
  • Learn from other countries’ experiences—democracies can recover, and U.S. is not immune to old patterns.

10. Restoration After Autocracy

• Rapid, decisive legislative and institutional reforms are critical to restore trust and functioning after an autocratic era.

  "It would be very decisive pieces of action that...end the practice of sending masked men onto the streets..." (A, 56:02)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the urgency of agency:

  "Everything depends on choices that people make...in the next few years." (A, 07:20)

• On polarization and media myths:

  "It's a very strange thing to say that somehow the left is dominating the national conversation because that's not true and it hasn't been true for a really long time." (A, 17:49)

• Warning about apathy:

  "That's exactly what the would-be authoritarians want. They want you to be apathetic. They want you to be nihilistic. They want you to feel helpless." (A, 37:16)

• On the necessity of broad coalition:

  "What we really need is something broader than the Democratic Party...almost a democracy movement." (A, 39:31)

• On hope and perseverance (wildflowers metaphor):

  "You have to cut the weeds and replant the seeds and cut the weeds and replant the seeds and eventually the wildflowers kill the weeds." (A, 59:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Historical context & democracy as aspiration: 03:02–05:10
• Autocracy’s rise by stealth, not force: 01:11–03:02
• American concepts of freedom: 11:12–13:45
• Campus culture wars & government censorship vs. intolerance: 14:45–17:49
• Poland’s coalition and democratic recovery: 24:14–31:09; 43:38–44:26
• Threats to U.S. elections (voter suppression, federal troops): 31:51–36:04
• Solutions—civic engagement, law, unity: 36:14–39:31; 47:30–51:43
• Restoration post-autocracy: 55:49–56:26
• The wildflowers metaphor & hope: 58:43–59:25

Conclusion

Anne Applebaum’s core message: Democracy, though imperfect and fragile, is vastly superior to autocracy—but its survival depends on individual and collective action. The historical record shows that democratic backsliding can be stopped and even reversed, but success requires willpower, engagement, and unity across political and ideological lines. With rising signs of democratic erosion in the U.S.—from threats to voting rights to the manipulation of federal power—Applebaum urges listeners to resist apathy, join or build broad-based democracy movements, and learn from other countries’ recoveries. Her closing metaphor: persistent effort can—and does—eventually crowd out the weeds of autocracy, allowing democracy’s “wildflowers” to flourish.