Time to end the disastrous democratic experiment? Nick Cohen talks to Jason Brennan

If democracy is so great why does it keep producing such terrible results? Nick Cohen of The Observer talks to Georgetown University political philosopher Jason Brennan, author of Against Democracy, about what it means when sweeping democratic mandates arise from underinformed voters. Do people really vote on the basis of policy or simply to be part of the gang? Should you have to pass a test before you can vote? Would Jason criticise our system in front of a Belorussian protestor? And what can Iron Maiden teach us about what’s wrong with democracy?

• “A key problem is, the average voter basically knows nothing about politics…”
• “For most people, the act of voting is a little like kicking your dog because you’ve had a bad day at work.”
• “The average citizen in a democracy is much more authoritarian than the societies they live in. What’s checking them is the elites.” 
• “Why is it so good to live in liberal democracies? Is it because they’re democracies – or because they’re liberal?”
• “Voters aren’t stupid. It’s more a question of, Is it even worth my while for me to know this stuff?” 

Presented by Nick Cohen. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofrenijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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