The Excerpt Why losing trust in expertise threatens democracy
Jan 2, 2026
Roger Pielke Jr., a political scientist and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, dives into the troubling divide between experts and the public. He discusses how expertise extends beyond academic credentials, encompassing various societal roles. Pielke highlights the need for institutions to reflect public diversity to rebuild trust in expertise. He addresses the politicization of universities and urges experts to accept democratic compromise. Additionally, he warns against media silos that fragment public understanding, emphasizing the importance of serving all Americans.
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Democracy Needs Experts And Everyone Else
- Modern democracy requires both universal political participation and specialized expertise to run complex systems.
- That tension grows as society becomes more technologically complex, making expert-public collaboration essential.
Expertise Isn’t Just Academic Credentials
- Expertise extends beyond academic credentials to practical know-how found across society.
- Farmers, electricians, mechanics, and parents hold vital specialist knowledge without formal degrees.
Make Institutions Reflect The Public
- Design expert institutions so people see themselves reflected and recognize their legitimacy.
- Increase diversity of perspectives and roles inside institutions to rebuild public trust and functionality.