Episode 20. RESCUING DEMOCRACY: From Ancient Athens to Brexit

Hello! This week we explore how to improve democracy by involving ordinary people in decision-making. Guests David Van Reybrouck, Professor James Fishkin and Sarah Allan tell us how an old idea from ancient Athens---selecting random citizens to deliberate--is making a difference from the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland to reform of the Mongolian constitution. And we find out what we could do in the UK.

AND

Comedian Felicity Ward gives us her ideas. Including free mattresses, colourful houses and panda cafes

FURTHER READING

A video by David Van Reybrouck explaining sortition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS9EMvbBq_U

David's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Against-Elections-David-Van-Reybrouck/dp/1847924220 

James's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/democracy-when-the-people-are-thinking-9780198820291?cc=gb&lang=en&

CONTACT US

reasons@cheerfulpodcast.com

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MERCH

https://shop.spreadshirt.co.uk/cheerfulpodcast/

CONTACT OUR GUESTS

David Van Reybrouck - https://twitter.com/davidvanrey

Professor James Fishkin - https://twitter.com/jfishkin

Sarah Allan - https://twitter.com/SarahAllanUK

Felicity Ward - https://twitter.com/felicityward

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