Democracy dies with the lies. Even that simplest form of democracy, which is that we vote on a politician or we don't and we vote on another politician depends on the truth. Because if you can lie about what you did in office or lie about what you didn't do, that sort of vertical accountability breaks down. It becomes meaningless.Staffan LindbergBecome a Patron!Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Staffan Lindberg is the Director of the V-Dem Institute, one of the five principal investigators of the Varieties of Democracy Project, and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg. He is also a coeditor of the book Why Democracies Develop and Decline along with Michael Coppedge, Amanda B. Edgell, and Carl Henrik Knutsen.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:46Bright Spots for Democracy - 3:24Autocratization and Democratic Backsliding - 13:20Causes of Democratic Recession - 22:25Criticisms of the Report - 34:56Key LinksWhy Democracies Develop and Decline edited by Michael Coppedge, Amanda B. Edgell, Carl Henrik Knutsen, and Staffan LindbergLearn more about V-DEM"A Third Wave of Autocratization is Here: What is New About it?" in Democratization by Anna Lührmann and Staffan LindbergDemocracy Paradox PodcastMichael Coppedge on Why Democracies Emerge, Why They Decline, and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem)Sarah Repucci from Freedom House with an Update on Freedom in the WorldMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationDemocracy GroupApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocrThe Answer with Ben ArmentaStorytelling, commentary, and perspectives to inspire and build politically active...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify How to Create a Glitch in the MatrixA useful guide on how to experience simulation theory, first hand. Based upon the books...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show