How to Save Democracy

Trust in government has been collapsing all over the world over the last decade - but one country has bucked the trend. Fewer than 10% of the population trusted government in 2014, but by 2024, that figure had climbed above 70%. Spurred on by a collective of civic hackers calling themselves “Gov Zero”, Taiwan has trusted its people, opened its institutions, and even crowdsourced what was arguably the world’s most successful Covid response. In this episode, we draw out the lessons every nation can learn from this story with the help of one of its key actors, Audrey Tang. Audrey is Taiwan’s “Cyber Ambassador” and former Minister of Digital Affairs. A prominent member of the Gov Zero collective, she became a reverse mentor to Minister Jaclyn Tsai in the aftermath of the peaceful Sunflower Revolution in 2014, before joining government herself in 2016 - and becoming the world’s first transgender minister in the process.

In September 2025, Jon hosted a live event in Dublin exploring the past, present and future of one of the most exciting democratic experiments of recent times. Over the last 15 years, Ireland's Citizens' Assembly has brought nearly 600 randomly selected citizens together to deliberate on issues from abortion to marriage equality to biodiversity, before making recommendations to elected officials. Join us as we delve into what happened, how, and why - and ask whether this approach could help save democracy all over the world. David Farrell is Chair of Politics at UCD and was part of the original We The Citizens project that preceded the Irish Constitutional Convention and the Citizens’ Assembly. Art O'Leary is chief executive at An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission of Ireland, the management and oversight organisation for electoral and wider democracy matters, and Secretary to the Citizens’ Assembly. Louise Caldwell is one of the randomly selected citizens to have taken part in the Assembly, and has since joined the board of People Powered, the global advocacy organisation for participatory democracy.

One host shares how a decade in advertising shaped his view on identity and democracy. They discuss transforming citizenship through storytelling and fostering community engagement. The conversation also explores the mistrust between politicians and citizens, examining the appeal of movements like QAnon. Additionally, they highlight the struggle to shift from consumer politics to community empowerment, emphasizing the importance of collective action. Finally, the host recounts his journey from marketing to advocating for a hopeful democratic future.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Omezzine Khelifa, a key figure in the Tunisian revolution. She shares her transition from the fintech world to political activism, driven by a desire for justice. Discover the stark contrasts between democracy and dictatorship, along with the sacrifices made for freedom. The discussion emphasizes innovative democratic practices and the importance of citizen engagement. Finally, explore how community values can unite efforts in the fight for democracy and dignity.

Baratunde Thurston, a writer, activist, and comedian, and Elizabeth Stewart, the creative force behind the How to Citizen project, discuss transformative ideas for democracy. They emphasize that citizenship is an action, not a status, urging listeners to engage beyond just voting. Their conversation explores how emotional intelligence and storytelling can strengthen civic life. They share inspiring stories, including that of Broadband Bruce, and highlight the power of collective action to create meaningful change in communities.

Ece Temelkuran, an author who warned of creeping authoritarianism through her book, and Paul Hilder, a savvy political strategist known for his work on European elections, engage in a riveting discussion about democracy's precarious state. They examine Poland's recent election as a beacon of hope against far-right movements, while advocating for youth activism and community engagement. Temelkuran shares lessons from Turkey's political landscape, emphasizing the need for open discourse and a collective fight against authoritarianism. Their conversation inspires resilience and faith in humanity amidst adversity.