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.

Political theorist Natasha Piano from UCLA, author of 'Democratic Elitism', reinterprets Italian thinkers like Pareto and Mosca in a groundbreaking discussion. She argues that these elite theorists actually critiqued elite power rather than endorsed it, revealing how equating elections with democracy obscures plutocratic influences. Piano challenges the foundations of American political science, warning against the dangers of demagogic manipulation. Her insights urge a reevaluation of democratic practices amidst today's political landscape.