The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: How Social Media Threatens Democracy, with Rick Pildes
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Nov 4, 2025 In a compelling discussion, Rick Pildes, a constitutional law professor at NYU, dives into the intricate relationship between social media and democracy. He compares the current impact of social media to historical media shifts, highlighting its unique capacity to polarize political discourse and disrupt traditional governance. Pildes explores how small-donor campaigns are reshaping political dynamics, while the loss of gatekeepers contributes to a fragmented information landscape. Ultimately, he raises critical questions about the future of democracy in the age of digital communication.
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Political Fragmentation Across Western Democracies
- Western democracies have become politically fragmented over the past 10–15 years, weakening traditional center parties.
- Proportional systems shifted from two-party dynamics to many-party fragmentation that complicates governance.
U.S. Fragmentation Manifests Internally
- In the U.S., fragmentation appears as internal division within the two major parties rather than new parties.
- This internal split makes party leadership less able to marshal coherent majorities for governance.
Communications Revolution Lowers Authority
- The communications revolution (cable, internet, social media) amplifies political mobilization and critique.
- Its effects go beyond disinformation debates, fundamentally lowering institutional authority and changing political dynamics.
