Past Present Future Fixing Democracy Q&A w/David Klemperer: Oligarchy, Ageing Populations and How to Make Things Worse
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Oct 26, 2025 David Klemperer, a political historian and electoral systems expert, joins the discussion tackling big questions about democracy. He and the hosts ponder whether democracy is genuinely broken or if it has ever existed authentically. The conversation dives into the impact of conspiracism and misinformation, as well as the role of an informed citizenry. They also debate controversial ideas like banning older voters and the necessity of compulsory voting, alongside strategies to curb money in politics and adapt to social media's influence.
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Fixing Democracy Is Inherent To It
- Democracies always need fixing because institutions imperfectly meet democratic ideals.
- Discussing reforms is itself a democratic activity, not mere whining.
Oligarchy Is Part Of Democracy
- All democracies contain oligarchic elements and pockets of concentrated power.
- The relevant question is which oligarchies exist and whether rival powers can check them.
Combine Realism With Determination
- Hold both pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will when pushing reforms.
- Develop reform ideas that can win public support despite vicious political spirals.
