There were lots of opportunities for a certain part of Ukrainian society to encounter Zelenskyy and to feel that they knew him. He was not an unknown quantity when he ran for president. So, I think that's important for us to keep in mind. I would say the so-called Western World is still discovering who he is, but his loyalty, his integrity, his ideas or his group's ideas about Ukrainian political nationhood have been in the works for a long time.Jessica PisanoSupport Democracy Paradox on Patreon for bonus episodes and exclusive updates and information. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Jessica Pisano is Associate Professor in the Department of Politics at the New School for Social Research. She is the author of "How Zelensky Changed Ukraine" in the Journal of Democracy and Staging Democracy: Political Performance in Ukraine, Russia, and Beyond.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:49Early Career of Zelenskyy - 2:58What is Political Theater? - 10:30Zelenskyy Changes Politics in Ukraine - 17:26Zelenskyy as President - 22:43Future of Ukraine - 30:41Key LinksLearn more about Jessica Pisano"How Zelensky Changed Ukraine" by Jessica Pisano in the Journal of DemocracyStaging Democracy: Political Performance in Ukraine, Russia, and Beyond by Jessica PisanoDemocracy Paradox PodcastMichael McFaul and Robert Person on Putin, Russia, and the War in UkraineLucan Way on Ukraine. Democracy in Hard Places.More Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox100 Books on DemocracyThirst and Goal Podcast (NFL)™A show about NFL football, fun, friends, whiskey and beer reviews. We cover the NFL...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show