Camila Vergara

Chilean political philosopher Camila Vergara discusses plebeian constitutionalism, arguing for citizen assemblies to counter elite abuse. The podcast explores oligarchic foundations of the US Constitution, challenges liberalism's flaws, and advocates for plebeian institutions to empower the common people.

Camila Vergara, a political theorist and author, joins Clara Mattei to unravel the concept of systemic corruption—how our legal frameworks uphold oligarchic power. They discuss how the U.S. constitution was crafted to protect the wealthy, making inequality a feature, not a flaw. Elections, they argue, deepen this divide instead of remedying it, while revealing that real democracy often resembles an oligarchy. They also highlight past popular movements that challenged these structures and propose practical local projects for genuine change.

Camila Vergara, a political theorist and author, joins economist Clara Mattei to investigate why democracy falters against oligarchy. They discuss systemic corruption and its ties to militarism, revealing how the elite gain from war and influence. The conversation emphasizes grassroots strategies to reclaim power, highlighting innovative local projects like energy co-ops and community councils in Chile. Understand how ordinary people can dismantle corrupt systems and build a democratic future from the ground up.