When democracy and authoritarianism go to war, the easy story is about good guys and bad guys. Daniel Bookman doesn't tell that story — but he comes close, and that's where this conversation gets interesting. Bookman is the author of Beyond Power, a philosophical framework for understanding how ethical societies form, why authoritarian regimes can't tolerate democratic neighbors, and what that means for the conflicts in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and inside the United States right now. His argument is serious and principled. It's also the kind of framework that explains a great deal — maybe too much. Host Paula Lehman-Ewing pushes on the places it strains: what happens when democratic leaders start behaving like the authoritarians they oppose? How long can existential threat justify behavior that contradicts a society's own ethical claims? Bookman doesn't dismiss the questions. But his answers leave something unresolved. That's the point.
You can find Beyond Power: Israel & The Struggle for the Ethical State
on Amazon using this
LINK.
Note: There will not be a new episode next week as we are preparing for our second LIVE show. If you're in the greater Denver metro area, we hope you'll join us at Denver Book Society Sunday, April 26 at 3pm. More information about the event can be found at tinyurl.com/COJA-live2.Creators and Guests
Paula Lehman-Ewing
Host, Founder of COJA Services
Jamie Konegni
Marketing Director
Jason Masino
Programs and Partnerships
What is Get Me to the Gray?
Get Me to the Gray, presented by COJA Services Inc., is a podcast about the conversations we’re told we shouldn’t have. Hosted by journalist and author Paula Lehman-Ewing, the show brings people with fundamentally different ways of seeing the world into honest dialogue—where we name what divides us and keep talking anyway.
COJA Services Inc. works with mission-driven organizations and brands that are clear on their values but struggle to translate that clarity into public-facing language. We help teams align internal narratives, reduce confusion before it becomes mistrust, and translate complexity into public understanding without relying on scripts, rhetoric, or generic AI language that strips voice and judgment.
If you're in the greater Denver metro area, register for our LIVE events at tinyurl.com/COJAEvents