
Frontiers of Commoning, with David Bollier
Camila Vergara's Vision of Plebeian Constitutionalism
Jun 1, 2024
Chilean political philosopher Camila Vergara discusses plebeian constitutionalism, arguing for citizen assemblies to counter elite abuse. The podcast explores oligarchic foundations of the US Constitution, challenges liberalism's flaws, and advocates for plebeian institutions to empower the common people.
53:28
Episode guests
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Oligarchs corrupt democracies by capturing state governance and law, necessitating plebeian institutions for citizen representation.
- Systemic corruption undermines modern democracies, requiring radical reform or revival of plebeian power structures.
Deep dives
The Origin of Constitutional Democracy in the Global North
Constitutional democracy in the global north is viewed as a myth perpetuated over generations, with the US Constitution built as an oligarchic structure protecting property rights. Professor Camilla Vergara emphasizes the need for plebeians to hold constitutional power to counter corrupt oligarchs corrupting democracies worldwide.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.