Democracy is the stage in which we mount the battle for power and we fight out our competing visions of what would be good for a society. But at the same time, the most dangerous of all things we try to do in a democracy is argue about what is democratic and what is undemocratic.

Michael Ignatieff

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A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.

Michael Ignatieff is a historian and former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He has served as rector and president of Central European University, and is the author, most recently, of On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times. He recently wrote, "The Politics of Enemies" in the Journal of Democracy.

Key Highlights

• Introduction
• What is democracy? 3:15
• Role of Politicians - 18:05
• January 6th - 21:06
• The Politics of Enemies - 23:51
• Consolation After Electoral Losses - 34:55

Key Links

"The Politics of Enemies" by Michael Ignatieff in the Journal of Democracy

On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times by Michael Ignatieff

Learn more about Michael Ignatieff

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