Are leaders letting democracy die?   Less than half of the world’s nations are full-fledged democracies today. That’s down from just 20 years ago.   Part of the problem is a nation’s democratic death usually isn’t dramatic or sudden; it’s often a series of subtler, slower moves such as only appointing loyalists to cabinet posts and judgeships, or threatening the press if coverage isn’t towing the party line.   How does this happen in leadership? In this episode, three international thought leaders  -- Matt Qvortrup, Veronika Anghel, and Mike Hardy -- discuss how a growing number of despots, dictators, and demagogues have finessed techniques to undermine democracy…and leadership strategies to strengthen democracies against them.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Reality Lost: How Disinformation Shapes Your World with Tara McGowan Democracy: Brittle Twig or Supple Bamboo? with Matt Qvortrup Power, Charisma, Hormones: Science Studies Leadership with John Antonakis For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Guest Matt Qvortup has written extensively about democracies. Two books to start with are Death by a Thousand Cuts: Neuropolitics, Thymos, and the Slow Demise of Democracy (print version: https://amzn.to/4bDSJyR , Kindle version: https://amzn.to/3ONkviA ) and I Want to Break Free: A Practical Guide to Making a New Country (print version: https://amzn.to/49wh4oI , Kindle version: https://amzn.to/49jNaUO ).   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane. Hardback (https://amzn.to/48Doh6j) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/48YCRF4) Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First by Martha Piper & Indira Samarasekera. Paperback (https://amzn.to/3tOtzg4) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/41OYdT5) Jilly Truit murder mysteries by Beverley McLachlin: Full Disclosure – https://amzn.to/46TxW6Q (paperback) https://amzn.to/46VDL3Q (audiobook) Denial – https://amzn.to/46YCbhs (paperback) https://amzn.to/3GJc0AA (audiobook) Women and Leadership: Journey Toward Equity by Sherylle J. Tan & Lisa DeFrank-Cole NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links. -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli Holding a Plural Majority: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Threads: @innovativeleaders Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  TikTok: @innovativeleadership Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Mike Hardy is Chair of Intercultural Relations and a founding Director of the Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations at Coventry University. He is adjunct professor of leadership at the LSPR Institute of Communications and Business in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mike has been twice honoured in the UK, awarded the OBE in 2001 for his peace-building work in the Middle East, and appointed a Companion of Honour of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the HM Queen’s Birthday Honours June 2010 for his work internationally in Intercultural Dialogue. Mike is a Board Director and Chair of the International Leadership Association ( www.ila-net.org ), Chair of Trustees of The Faith and Belief Forum ( http://faithbeliefforum