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Democracy After Disaster

Democracy After Disaster

By: Kate Lawrence
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About this listen

 Natural disasters rip away our collective sense of control, so it’s critical that the road of recovery is paved with community voice and agency. With disasters increasing year on year we need new ideas for how governments and communities can work together when everything has been destroyed.

Democracy After Disasters is a nine part narrative documentary podcast series that explores how we can re-build democracy on the road of recovery. We'll talk to people from Macedon to Mallacoota, to experts in history, philosophy and political science. And we'll uncover ideas that can dramatically improve the path of community recovery.

Listen and subscribe to Democracy after Disasters wherever you get your podcasts.Kate Lawrence Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • 9. Democratic Phoenix

    9. Democratic Phoenix
    Dec 1 2025
    In this final episode of 'Democracy After Disaster,' we hear about Dolly Parton's ‘My People's Fund” and its inspiration for a universal basic income (UBI) after a disaster. We look at the benefits of UBI, including mental health and social cohesion, and some of the common criticisms. We also explore participatory and deliberative democracy, highlighting successful examples and the potential for self-organizing systems in community recovery.

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    54 mins
  • 8. Circle Talk

    8. Circle Talk
    Nov 24 2025
    In this eighth episode of 'Democracy After Disaster' we learn about ways we can better create space for meaningful conversations and inclusive decision making. On New Year's Eve 2019 the small town of Cobargo where Dave Newell lives, was devastated by bushfire. His story shares examples of participation frameworks like the Art of Hosting, Circle, and Open Space. We also discuss broader concepts like complexity theory, majority rule, and the significance of building relationships for effective recovery and decision-making.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 7. People, Paradox and Power

    7. People, Paradox and Power
    Nov 17 2025
    In Episode 7 of 'Democracy After Disaster,' we explore the intricate dynamics of power in disaster recovery. Examining the relationships between governments and communities, the episode focuses on the need for partnership, and how fostering democratic values encourages civic participation and tempers the corruption of power, leading to better community recovery.

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    52 mins
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