Interesting Times with Ross Douthat Abolish the Senate. End the Electoral College. Pack the Court.
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Aug 14, 2025 
In this discussion, Osita Nwanevu, author of "The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding," dives deep into America's democratic flaws and the potential for a radical transformation. He challenges the historical foundations of U.S. democracy, suggesting a need for a new constitution. The conversation explores Trump's presidency as a reflection of democratic desires and the economic factors reshaping political priorities. Nwanevu also points to the importance of charismatic leadership in mobilizing a united left.
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Episode Frame: Democracy Under Scrutiny
- Ross Douthat opens by framing the episode around whether Trump's victory reveals democracy's failure or a test.
- He introduces Osita Nwanevu and the theme of constitutional revolution on the left.
Voting Was About Groceries Not Abstract Ideals
- Many voters treated 2024 as a referendum between abstract democratic ideals and immediate economic concerns.
- Osita Nwanevu says most chose their economic well-being over abstract appeals about saving democracy.
Three Criteria For Real Democracy
- Democracy means the governed govern through political equality, responsiveness, and majority rule.
- Nwanevu argues US institutions currently violate all three principles, making the system less democratic.
