Intelligence Squared Is Democracy Future-proof? with Jonathan White and David Runciman
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Feb 11, 2024 Jonathan White, a Professor at the London School of Economics, and David Runciman from Cambridge University delve into the state of democracy today. They discuss how the fixation on upcoming elections clouds long-term political vision, warning that this threatens the very essence of democracy. The duo explores the need for sustained engagement in democratic processes to address global challenges like climate change. They also tackle the concept of 'losers' consent' in politics and the impact of an aging population on future democratic engagement.
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Modern Future
- The modern idea of the future is distinct from ancient perspectives.
- It suggests humans can shape and remake the future through organized efforts.
Modernity's Tension
- Modernity creates tension between human agency and external forces.
- We feel in control politically and technologically, but also subject to forces beyond our grasp, like technology's own trajectory or Darwinian evolution.
Climate Change's Dual Timescale
- Climate change presents a unique temporal challenge.
- It demands urgent action within short deadlines while simultaneously belonging to geological timescales, creating a tension between urgency and fatalism.
