Fired & hired? Richard Sakwa, professor emeritus of Russian & European politics

French politician and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, best known for his work ‘Democracy in America’, warned two centuries ago about how a dynamic and self-powered democratic system can decay and become the total opposite of its founding values, with mild despotism and the appearance of choice replacing individual thought and authentic liberty. Still, he said, the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. Does this hold true today? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Sakwa, professor emeritus of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent.

This interview was held on the sidelines of the 21st Annual Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.