Stephen Dubner recently served on a criminal jury. Twelve strangers — selected randomly and barely paid — took the job seriously. Afterward, he wondered: why can’t our politics work that way? A growing movement, inspired by Athenian democracy, says it can.&nbsp;<ul><li>SOURCES:<ul><li><a href="https://terrybouricius.com/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Terry Bouricius</a>, author and former Vermont state representative.</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-hairston-6647561a/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dj Hairston</a>, public-defense lawyer.</li><li><a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/about-governor-hochul" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kathy Hochul</a>, governor of New York.</li><li><a href="https://politicalscience.yale.edu/people/h-l-ne-landemore" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hélène Landemore</a>, professor of political science at Yale University.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>RESOURCES:<ul><li><a href="https://link.amazon/B0emzIhh5" rel="noopener noreferrer">Democracy Without Politicians: Government by the People</a>, by Terry Bouricius (2026).</li><li><a href="https://link.amazon/B01Q6d4J2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Politics Without Politicians: The Case for Citizen Rule</a>, by Hélène Landemore (2026).</li><li><a href="https://link.amazon/B064Upe8v" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Principles of Representative Government</a>, by Bernard Manin (1997).</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>EXTRAS:<ul><li>"<a href="https://freakonomics.com/podcast/has-america-lost-the-plot/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Has America Lost the Plot?</a>" by Freakonomics Radio (2026).</li></ul></li></ul> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?

Freakonomics Radio

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews