ReThinking: Taking politicians out of politics with Hélène Landemore - Worklife with Adam Grant Recap
Podcast: Worklife with Adam Grant
Published: 2026-02-10
Duration: 38 min
Summary
In this episode, Adam Grant speaks with political scientist Hélène Landemore about her vision of replacing career politicians with ordinary citizens in legislative roles. She believes that this radical approach could rejuvenate democracy by leveraging the insights and experiences of everyday people.
What Happened
Adam Grant welcomes Hélène Landemore, a Yale political scientist, to discuss her compelling thesis that electoral politics is fundamentally broken and how her new book, "Politics Without Politicians," proposes a radical solution: utilizing ordinary citizens in legislative roles. Landemore argues that the Greeks initially viewed politics as a domain for amateurs. The episode delves into her insights on how countries and even some U.S. states have begun experimenting with citizen assemblies, challenging the stereotype that only trained professionals can effectively govern.
Landemore shares her personal journey toward this idea, sparked by a conference she attended in Reykjavik in 2012, where she witnessed the power of citizen involvement in drafting a nation's constitution. This experience led her to realize that ordinary citizens, supported by experts, can engage in complex political processes and create meaningful legislative proposals. She emphasizes that the current political landscape is skewed towards professional politicians, primarily lawyers, and questions whether this model is genuinely necessary, pointing out that much of the legislative work is outsourced to experts anyway.
Key Insights
- Ordinary citizens can effectively participate in legislative processes.
- Historical perspectives on politics emphasize the role of amateurs rather than professionals.
- Citizen assemblies can foster a deeper understanding of social issues.
- Emotional bonding and shared identity among participants enhance political discourse.
Key Questions Answered
What sparked Hélène Landemore's ideas on citizen involvement in politics?
Landemore's journey began in the 1990s when she read Bernard Manon's "The Principles of Representative Government," which felt like a revelation to her. Her ideas further crystallized in 2012 at a conference in Reykjavik, where she was exposed to the innovative concept of ordinary citizens participating in drafting a country's constitution. This experience highlighted the potential for everyday people to contribute meaningfully to governance.
How do citizen assemblies function according to Hélène Landemore?
Citizen assemblies, as described by Landemore, involve randomly selected citizens who come together to address significant issues like urban planning and climate justice. Participants are encouraged to educate themselves and engage in discussions over several weeks. The assemblies aim to create a collective intelligence while also fostering emotional connections and a common identity among participants, which enhances the political conversation.
What role do experts play in citizen assemblies?
Landemore notes that while citizens in these assemblies are not trained professionals, they can still propose legislative measures. Experts assist them by helping translate their ideas into the legal language required for parliamentary processes. This collaborative approach enables citizens to engage in the legislative process effectively, demonstrating that ordinary people can contribute significantly to governance.
How does diversity in citizen assemblies impact political discussions?
According to Landemore, including diverse voices, such as those of homeless individuals or the elderly, significantly enriches the conversation. Their presence reminds participants of the real-life implications of policies, shifting the dialogue from theoretical discussions to tangible consequences. By sharing experiences, these individuals humanize the issues at stake, leading to more empathetic and informed discussions.
What accountability measures does Hélène Landemore suggest for citizen assemblies?
Landemore proposes that to ensure competence in citizen assemblies, participants could demonstrate basic civics knowledge, similar to the tests immigrants take to become U.S. citizens. However, she also emphasizes that the assemblies should allow individuals to come as they are, with existing skills and competencies, and engage in a learning process together. This approach not only educates participants but also acknowledges the social fabric of the community.