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Spectacles explains why that matters for democracy.

A Democracy of the Deserving | Focus
It’s taken for granted that meritocracy makes sense. But it might actually damage democracy in the long term.
Harry Clennon
Why Ireland Betrayed its Greatest Hero
Michael Collins helped liberate Ireland. They killed him for it.
Spectacles

Why China Hates a Weird Exercise Cult | Full Doc
In 1999, a strange Chinese cult gained Beijing's attention. They've been at war ever since.
Spectacles
This is Serbia's JFK mystery.
In 2003, after playing instrumental roles in the overthrow and extradition of the infamous Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, Prime Minister Zoran Dindic was assassinated.
Spectacles
The FBI's Million-Dollar Anti-Corruption "Scam”
In 1979, the FBI went undercover and executed the largest federal anti-corruption sting in American history. We've never seen anything like that operation since—but why?
Spectacles
Japan in 1932 was insane.
In 1932, Japan witnessed a triple-assassination of leading figures. The consequences would prove beyond catastrophic.
Spectacles
Why won't JD Vance stop talking about death?
JD Vance is obsessed with death. Why? And does it matter?
Spectacles
This is the USSR's JFK Mystery.
On December 1, 1934, Leonid Nikolaev entered the Smolny Institute. The Soviet Union would never be the same.
Spectacles
How a Murder Changed Gay Rights Forever
One of the first gay elected officials found his home in San Francisco and spent the 1970s fighting tirelessly for gay rights. His murder and legacy transformed the movement for equality.
Spectacles
How losing the war gave Japan its favorite game.
Japan lost the war, but today they're winning at baseball.
Spectacles
What happens when an assassin wins?
Shinzo Abe was murdered almost two years ago, and Japanese politics still isn't the same.
Spectacles

The (Controversial) Genius of Hawaii’s Capitol
The Hawaii state capitol doesn't look like any other capitol in America. Why?
Spectacles
How a Quadruple-Murder Made New Zealand
Wiremu Kīngi Maketū went on a killing spree, and New Zealand was born.
Spectacles![[vid] The Slave who Defeated Napoleon](/content/images/size/w300/2023/11/c4.jpg)
[vid] The Slave who Defeated Napoleon
Toussaint Louverture was born a slave. He defeated Napoleon and liberated a nation. This is his story.
Spectacles![[VID] How America Helped Hamas Conquer Gaza](/content/images/size/w300/2023/11/7.jpg)
[VID] How America Helped Hamas Conquer Gaza
INTRODUCTION If you're like me, / you've been horrified / by the images you've seen / coming out of Israel and Gaza. And, reluctantly, you've decided to engage with a difficult topic you’ve long avoided confronting, watching a number of videos, reading a handful
Spectacles![[VID] Europe's JFK Mystery: Who Shot Olof Palme?](/content/images/size/w300/2023/10/18b.jpg)
[VID] Europe's JFK Mystery: Who Shot Olof Palme?
The murder of Olof Palme remains one of the most intriguing mysteries in Europe. Who did it?
Spectacles![[VID] How Japan Solved Earthquakes](/content/images/size/w300/2023/09/10.jpg)
[VID] How Japan Solved Earthquakes
On March 11, 2011, Japan faced a massive earthquake, a huge tsunami, and a nuclear meltdown. All things considered, they fared pretty well. Why?
Spectacles![[VID] When Lighting Yourself on Fire... Backfires](/content/images/size/w300/2023/08/1.jpg)
[VID] When Lighting Yourself on Fire... Backfires
CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT NOW INTRO It’s January 23, 2001, 9AM. In Beijing, seven visitors in town for the holiday from Kaifeng depart a friend’s apartment, where they’ve been staying for several days. For their day out, each brings a bottle of Sprite.[1] Within the
Spectacles![[VID] How a Cult Broke China's Government](/content/images/size/w300/2023/08/8.jpg)
[VID] How a Cult Broke China's Government
In 1999, a new religious movement occupied China’s capital. The regime would never be the same.
Spectacles![[MINI-DOC] Beyond the Bomb: The Tragic True Story of Oppenheimer](/content/images/size/w300/2023/07/d16.jpg)
[MINI-DOC] Beyond the Bomb: The Tragic True Story of Oppenheimer
Refugee scientists gave America the bomb…then America turned on science. But why?
Spectacles![[VID] Why public media isn't propaganda (but sometimes is)](/content/images/size/w300/2023/05/50.jpg)
[VID] Why public media isn't propaganda (but sometimes is)
You’ve heard it a thousand times, a thousand ways. “The media is against us.” But where does media bias come from, and can following the money give us the answers?
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Israel's Crisis Isn't Over | What You Need To Know
Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening to send Israel spiraling. We explain what’s happening, why, and what can be done.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: The Weird Reason Germany Loved War SO Much
Everyone knows Germany loved starting wars, but to explain why, we need to dive back to 1600. What we find will surprise you.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Italy Has a Fascism Problem. Why?
Some are wondering, is Italian Fascism back? Truth is, it never really died.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: A Simple (Slightly Insane) Solution to Racist Statues
In democracies around the world, citizens are debating what to do about statues of slavers, imperialists, and prominent racists. At stake is how nations remember the crimes of their histories, and, in choosing how to remember them, what commitments they make to social justice going forward.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC — How South Africa Fell Apart: Mandela's Fading Dream
Since liberating South Africa from Apartheid, Nelson Mandela’s successors have fostered corruption and brought the country to ruins. What happened?
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Taiwan Shouldn't be a Democracy.
In 1986, Taiwan’s dictator began the island’s democratization — an unlikely story with consequences and lessons which echo to today.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: How a Chair nearly Broke Europe (and still could...)
In 1965, French President Charles DeGaulle started a fight that nearly tore Europe apart — over the same disagreements that still haunt the continent. This is the story of the empty chair crisis.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: How Estonia is still re-imagining democracy.
Estonia is one of the best performing post-Soviet countries, thanks in no small part to its revolutionary digital democracy. But it’s not all computer code—there’s something about the Estonian attitude that’s crucial to its success, and it’s something all democracies can learn from.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Is Democracy Inevitable? (w/ Francis Fukuyama)
After WWII and the Cold War, democracy looked unstoppable. Lately, it seems more complicated. The world’s leading author on the subject joins us to discuss — could it still be true?
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Who Really Ruined Iraq?
George Bush, imaginary weapons of mass destruction, an endless war in the Middle East—that’s not all there is to the story of the Iraq War.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Ireland isn't normal.
Peace in Northern Ireland is still young, and today, it may be in danger.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Cultists, Shotguns, and Nixon — the Shinzo Abe Assassin Story
He assassinated Japan’s most successful politician ever. But now, he seems to have won over public opinion. What happened?
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: How “Cities of the Future” Conceal Dangerous Ambitions
Between Saudi cities in the desert and Peter Thiel’s attempts to homestead the high seas, it’s clear that for some, money isn’t enough. That can be a danger in liberal democracies.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Why Republicans Love the Man Who Squashed Democracy in Hungary
Click here to watch now! In the late 1980s, as the Cold War was coming to a close, Viktor Orban was at the head of the anticommunist liberal resistance, leading the fight for democracy in Hungary. But over time, as he faced electoral difficulties, he drifted to the political right.
Spectacles
MINI-DOC: Why Dictators Don't Give Up Anymore — Lessons From Sudan
Dictators simply don't give up these days. But it wasn't always this way. Learn why things changed.
Spectacles
Spectacles is Changing
We're reimagining the way we do things. It'll take some time, but we hope you'll come along for the ride.
Spectacles
Unusual Comrades: Stalin and the Nazis | Focus
Whether Communist, monarchist, or Nazi, any opponents of German democracy in the ‘20s could find a friend in the Soviet Union.
Philip Brain
Coloring Inside the Lines | Insight
New York Dems have been denied their gerrymander. They’ll need to find more productive ways to push the boundaries.
Harry Clennon
Does “Europe” Include Ukraine? | Insight
EU leadership is making Ukraine seem like a shoe-in. That dodges some hard—but vital—questions.
Harry Clennon
Author Daniel Aldrich | Focus Interviews
Professor Aldrich sits down with us to discuss his most recent book, the 2011 triple-disaster in Japan, and how strong communities save lives.
Spectacles
Popularity =/= Democracy | Insight
Viktor Orban “won” another election in Hungary, but that doesn’t erase the damage he’s done to democracy.
Harry Clennon
Mayor Sly James | Focus Interviews
Former Mayor of Kansas City Sly James sits down with us to discuss political leadership, local government, and how to restore faith in American politics.
Spectacles
Madison v. DeSantis | Insight
Florida’s new parental rights bill prohibits discussion of LGBT issues in the classroom. It’s going to cause chaos for the state’s school system.
Philip Brain
Taiwan’s Nuclear Memories | Guest Focus
The tragic forty-year history of Taiwan’s Fourth Nuclear Plant yields key lessons on energy policy, democracy, security, and more.
Angelica Oung
Visualizing Global Disorder | Focus
It's easy to be cynical and assume that all's going to hell, but the facts are a little more complicated.
Philip Brain
A Democracy of the Deserving | Focus
It’s taken for granted that meritocracy makes sense. But it might actually damage democracy in the long term.
Harry Clennon
Why Ireland Betrayed its Greatest Hero
Michael Collins helped liberate Ireland. They killed him for it.
Spectacles
The news tells you what happened.
Spectacles explains why that matters for democracy.