Natasha Piano

Jeet Heer, a Canadian journalist and national correspondent for The Nation, discusses the recent Canadian election, focusing on the Liberal Party's retention of power and the emerging Conservative threat. He dives into the complexities of Canada's political landscape, particularly the shift towards populism. Joining him is Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA, who explores elite theory through the lens of Italian thinkers. Together, they analyze the evolving dynamics of political accountability and the growing concerns around anti-American sentiment in Canada.

Natasha Piano, an assistant professor at UCLA specializing in democratic theory, discusses the complexities of democracy in light of her book, Democratic Elitism. She critiques the conventional link between elections and democracy, urging for a broader understanding of representation. The conversation dives into Machiavelli’s thoughts on elite dominance and popular resistance, and the influence of right populism on voter behavior. Piano highlights the role of masculinity in political ideologies and the cyclical nature of institutional change, advocating for innovative reforms and trust between elites and the public.

Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA and a historian of political thought, discusses her new book, 'Democratic Elitism.' She challenges the traditional view that equates democracy solely with elections, highlighting critiques from the Italian School of Elitism. Piano explains how thinkers like Pareto and Mosca warned against the pitfalls of competitive elections leading to disillusionment. She advocates for a broader understanding of democracy that values good governance and counters the threats of plutocracy and demagoguery.

Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor at UCLA and author of Democratic Elitism, discusses the Italian School of Elitism's insights into democracy. She argues that elections alone can't secure democracy, potentially breeding disillusionment among the masses. Piano explores how Vilfredo Pareto's elite circulation theory highlights the risks of elite corruption, while Gaetano Mosca’s institutional solutions aim to renew democratic impulses. She emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and warns against equating elections with actual democratic practices.

Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA and author of "Democratic Elitism," delves into the often misunderstood Italian School of Elitism. She clarifies how thinkers like Vilfredo Pareto, Gaetano Mosca, and Robert Michels critiqued the assumption that democracy is synonymous with elections. Piano warns that this conflation breeds disillusionment and highlights the need for democratic renewal through education and institutional support. She argues that these elite theorists were, in fact, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of democracy beyond mere electoral processes.