The Columnist

The Columnist

From Autocracy in America by The Atlantic

September 19, 2025 · 36 min · Season 2 · Episode 11

About this episode

Garry Kasparov and Bret Stephens discuss the ongoing threats to democracy and the potential for a two-party system realignment in the U.S.

When host Garry Kasparov created the Renew Democracy Initiative in 2017, the founding manifesto warned that “the liberal-democratic order is under attack from within and without.” Eight years later, things have not changed for the better. Garry is joined by Bret Stephens, a columnist for The New York Times and the principal author of that 2017 manifesto. Both Garry and Bret agree that democracy is under attack, and they envision a world where the forces of freedom are united and authoritarianism is in retreat. Together, they discuss what the future of democracy in the United States looks like, and if a change to the two-party system could be the realignment the country needs to secure its freedom. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/listener.Garry chairs the Renew Democracy Initiative, publisher of The Next Move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Garry Kasparov

Guest: Bret Stephens

Topics covered

  • democracy
  • authoritarianism
  • political systems
  • freedom
  • two-party system

Keywords

  • democracy
  • authoritarianism
  • politics
  • freedom
  • two-party system
  • Renew Democracy Initiative
  • Bret Stephens

Sponsors

The Atlantic

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times, Renew Democracy Initiative, The Atlantic

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