I think being anti-mob may be at the deepest roots of my lifelong work. Mobs, have you ever had the misfortune to be caught in one, are amphibious in their lack of empathy. Lynch mobs are lynch mobs regardless of the ideology they espouse or world they claim to want.

As democracy erodes globally, conflict is rising - the two trends are connected and yet another reason it is so important to work for democracy - my latest blog.bti-project.org/2024/04/23/dem…

'What these populists do to enrich themselves, to feed their egotistical desires, to make policy directly, has real effects on real business people at the high level...'

🎧🗣 Rachel Kleinfeld sits down with The UnPopulist's Aaron Ross Powell:
theunpopulist.net/p/the-false-ec…

What potential risk factors could contribute to political violence in the run-up and aftermath of the November elections?

🎙 Rachel Kleinfeld sits down with Crisis Group's Stephen Pomper and Michael Hanna on Ripple Effect:
crisisgroup.org/united-states/…

There are an increasing number of Americans who:

describe their religion as 'nothing in particular'
partisanship as independent/other
ideology as not sure
and have a low level of educational attainment.

They are just done - with everything.

graphsaboutreligion.com/p/dropping-out…

Always awesome to talk to the brilliant folks at International Crisis Group - and very worrisome when they decide they need to cover the United States. Our podcast: crisisgroup.org/united-states/…

Thank you shikha sood dalmia

What is the economic story that populists, strongmen, populist candidates, people who are trying to push a populist platform, sell their supporters on?

Rachel Kleinfeld discusses the falsehoods of populist economics w/ The UnPopulist's Aaron Ross Powell:
theunpopulist.net/p/the-false-ec…

You’ve probably heard a lot lately about Jonathan Haidt's argument that smartphones and social media are taking a toll on the mental health of young people.

But you may not have heard as much about the other problem he identifies: parents. Our new video explains.

'I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be...At a time when our world is at history's turning point...Freedom and democracy are currently under threat around the globe.'

— Japanese PM Fumio Kishida addresses Congress

“Many foundations, organizations, corporations, and other entities are caught up in this tidal wave of timidity and fear that's sweeping this country. I mistakenly thought we were better than that. This is the kind of acquiescent behavior that leads to authoritarianism.”

Broad-based, pre-election coalitions have had better success rates against backsliding leaders than oppositions who have remained divided.

Read Benjamin Feldman and Dr. Jennifer McCoy's new Carnegie Endowment article:
carnegieendowment.org/2024/03/27/bet…

Today 19 retired 4-star officers & service secretaries urged #SCOTUS to reject Trump’s immunity claim, citing the disastrous impact presidential criminal immunity would wreak on the chain of command, civilian control of the military, & national security. protdem.org/NatSecAmicus4_…

Liberals — whether conservative or progressive — should join the effort to protect the national treasure that is America’s vibrant civil society.

Rachel Kleinfeld argues in The Chronicle of Philanthropy:
philanthropy.com/commons/democr…

If you're looking for eclipse glasses right now you understand why same day voter registration is important

It's good to live in times that don't require moral and physical courage. When your era does require that - it's good to have examples like Albert Hirschman...

“The business community here doesn’t understand what is about to hit them,” ⁦Rachel Kleinfeld⁩ tells ⁦Jonathan Mahler⁩ for an important piece in ⁦NYT Magazine⁩ on how autocrats corrupt and punish free enterprise to enforce loyalty. nytimes.com/2024/04/07/mag…

The canny use of narrative and moral ambiguity plays a crucial role in enabling illiberal forces to close space for #civilsociety , and countering this zeitgeist is an important part of the defense of civic space.

Rachel Kleinfeld for Carnegie Endowment:
carnegieendowment.org/2024/03/06/clo…