Ep. 104: Ed Dowding - It's Time (for our Democracies and Institutions) to Get With the Times

At the time of writing and editing this episode, the United Kingdom was a few days away from crashing out of the European Union without a deal on its future relationship with the EU – something that would be economically catastrophic. If you are in the UK and whether you voted Remain like I did, or voted Leave in the Brexit referendum, I think the vast majority of us can agree that the UK’s politics is a mess. And, if you follow our podcast from outside the UK, you are probably looking on in bewilderment – but at the same time likely have similar frustrations about politics and institutions in your own country – again, regardless of political affiliation.

The reality is that around the world, the institutions that underpin democracies have not kept pace with technological and societal change. As a result, we have divisiveness within and across societies, self-interested leadership, and corruption. And that’s tragic, because democracy is worth fighting and dying for and because the world’s biggest risks require strong institutions both within countries and multilaterally.

Against this backdrop, this latest episode is in incredibly timely. Our guest is Ed Dowding. Ed is a social entrepreneur who has founded businesses in democracy and public decision-making and in sustainable food and agriculture. In undertaking these ventures, Ed has for years come against the constraints that have now bubbled up to the collective surface. And in so doing, I think Ed is someone ahead of his time. However, Ed’s time may just perhaps be coming.

We talk about all of these things in this fascinating episode, covering:

• Minimalism;
• Sustainable agriculture;
• Why there are dis-incentives to fix problems on agriculture;
• Sustainable sourcing;
• “Delegative” or “Liquid” democracy;
• The constraints to modernising our democratic institutions;
• Loads more!

Show notes:

• Ed’s website;
• Ed on Twitter;
• me;
• Anti-biotic resistance;
• Monoculture;
• Farm Drop – if you are in London, please check these guys out and sign up!;
• Josef Davies-Coates;
• “Liquid democracy”;

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