Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Bourgeois Attire w/ Derek Guy
Aug 25, 2025
Osita Nwanevu, author of 'The Right of the People,' discusses the flaws in US democracy and explores participatory governance beyond elections. He emphasizes the need for better labor rights and unions to empower democracy. Joining him is Derek Guy, a menswear authority, who delves into the evolution of upper-class men's dress, contrasting the WASP aesthetic with the power suits of the 1980s. They also examine how contemporary fashion reflects societal status and how events like the pandemic have shifted norms toward comfort over style.
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Democracy As Self-Governance
- Democracy means the governed govern and have direct say over institutions shaping their lives.
- Osita Nwanevu argues democracy spans direct participation, representation, and deliberation.
Democracy Is A Moral Right
- Democracy is a virtue, not just a tool for better governance.
- Nwanevu says people have a basic right to some control over conditions that shape their lives.
Inequality Undermines Democratic Power
- Economic inequality fundamentally threatens democracy beyond campaign finance concerns.
- Nwanevu links concentrated wealth to control over news, think tanks, and political ideas.
