Q+A with Jack Tame Geoffrey Palmer: Why people are unhappy with democracy
Sep 6, 2025
Geoffrey Palmer, a democracy expert and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, dives into the current discontent with democratic systems. He draws parallels between today's challenges and those of the 1930s, stressing the need for individual responsibility in preserving democracy. Palmer critiques the superficial nature of legislative processes and advocates for reforms like citizen assemblies to enhance democratic engagement. He also emphasizes the importance of youth participation in voting and how social media impacts the responsibilities of modern MPs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Global Threats To Democracy
- Geoffrey Palmer warns democracies worldwide face decay and must be made robust to resist autocracy and fascist tendencies.
- He argues New Zealand relies on a rules-based international order that's now under threat and must strengthen its democratic resilience.
Economic Pain Drives Democratic Discontent
- Palmer links public dissatisfaction with democracy to economic hardship and cyclical declines in living standards.
- He warns impatience with governments fuels populism and opens the door to authoritarianism.
Urgency Undermines Legislative Quality
- Using urgency bypasses standard parliamentary scrutiny and undermines democratic checks and balances.
- Palmer highlights overuse of urgency across governments and the drafting risks from rushed legislation.
