As the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle put it, real democracy means citizens taking turns in governing and being governed. He’d think our system today is oligarchic, dividing us into politicians and bureaucrats who govern, and “we the people” who are governed. If we want to make politics fit for human habitation again, we need to put everyday people like you and me back in the centre.

In this week's video, I look at institutions invented centuries ago to guard against the very problems we have today. We need a standing citizen assembly chosen by lottery, just as we choose juries. Even without any formal power, it could meet, deliberate, and vote on the same issues before the legislature. Then we could all see any difference between politicians' votes and the considered opinion of the people—which would make it harder for politicians to obey their parties and funders ahead of us.

We'd be here all day waiting for our elected representatives to create such a house, so let's get it started ourselves.

▶ Enjoy the next episode next week

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