Ep 173. What is Strategy? And how do we stop democracies backsliding into autocracy?

About this episode

The episode discusses the lack of strategy in leadership and the issue of democratic backsliding into autocracy, featuring insights from Richard Symons on potential solutions.

Well, the quagmire has set in. The Iran war is in its second week and Oil Prices are above $100 a barrel and even though it was clear from the first shots being fired it is now manifest that Trump has no strategy. And his ability to act with impunity shows that constraining leaders to act with strategy rather than just opportunism is a key aspect of democracy and accountability. We are trying to focus on solutions, to see what is working in Britain, and to chat through various amorphous topics, such as: ‘What is Strategy?’ and why does democracy have a communications problem. In 2011, statistics show that 11 democracies suffered backsliding into autocracy. Today: that number is in the mid-40s. With Trump’s America at the peak of that shift, what can be done to reverse that trend? And better yet, what can be done to protect all democracies going forward? Can institutions be made in advance that could protect democratic backsliding before it happens?!? To build on our recent episode with Graham Zellick on how democracy is protected in the UK, Jason is joined by Richard Symons. Richard is the founder of Compass & Co —a UK-based strategy and communications firm helping leaders with…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Pack

Guest: Richard Symons

Topics covered

• democracy
• autocracy
• strategy
• political accountability
• democratic backsliding
• communication problems

Keywords

• democracy
• autocracy
• strategy
• Trump
• Iran war
• political accountability
• backsliding
• communication
• Wales
• Compass & Co

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Compass & Co

Products: Oil Prices

Places: Britain, Wales, America

More episodes of Disorder

• Ep 187. Iran War restarted? And Is Latin America moving to the right? · June 9, 2026 · 35 min
• Ep 186. How to oust Netanyahu, and give the UAE tough love · June 2, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Ep 185. Is Ukraine Winning? And how has the Iran war reshaped the Middle East? With David Tafuri · May 26, 2026 · 52 min
• Ep 184. How Ryan Cornelius Was Trapped in Dubai Jail With Chris Pagett · May 21, 2026 · 33 min
• Ep 183. Trump Visits China, the world order is broken - With Leslie Vinjamuri · May 19, 2026 · 35 min
• Ep 182. Reform win big in England: are they Disorderers or Orderers? with Alan Mendoza · May 12, 2026 · 60 min