
About this episode
Mark Leonard and David Runciman discuss the evolving nature of democracy amidst global challenges.
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by David Runciman , British political theorist and philosopher, to explore whether today’s sense of crisis really marks the end of democracy—or something more complex. As the global order fragments, Runciman argues that democracy itself is not disappearing, but the forces shaping the world no longer fit the model that worked for the past 50 years. From shifting demographics and rising inequality, to a transforming technological landscape, together Mark and David explore why systems that once seemed stable are now under strain. In a world which is both more and less democratic, liberal states face pressure from within and without. Rather than predicting collapse, the discussion asks how democracies can evolve. What needs to change and what happens if it doesn’t? Bookshelf Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse by Luke Kemp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Host: Mark Leonard
Guest: David Runciman
Topics covered
- democracy
- political theory
- global order
- inequality
- technological change
- evolution of systems
Keywords
- democracy
- crisis
- political theory
- global order
- inequality
- technology
- evolution
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ECFR
Books & works: Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse
More episodes of Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
- How progress ends · June 12, 2026 · 29 min
- The age of hyperpolitics · June 5, 2026 · 32 min
- The rise of populism · May 29, 2026 · 37 min
- Iran nuclear monitor: Month by month · May 22, 2026 · 22 min
- The future of liberalism · May 15, 2026 · 41 min
- The age of unorder · May 1, 2026 · 25 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes podcast page.