Politics without politicians: The issue of citizen rule

Politicians have failed us. But democracy doesn't have to be that way. Politicians, bought by special interests, out of touch with reality, obsessed with getting re-elected, making big promises, delivering little, and keeping the system rigged in their favor. But what to do? In her book “Politics Without Politicians,” the distinguished political theorist Helen Landemore poses and answers a radical question: What if we didn’t need politicians at all? What if the common people could - under the right circumstances - govern better? With compelling clarity and a profound sense of urgency, Landemore argues that electoral politics is flawed, but democracy is sound. We were just doing it wrong. Drawing on ancient Athenian practices and contemporary citizens' assemblies, Landemore calls for an alternative approach that is alive, effective, and growing around the world: a civic lottery that selects private individuals to rule—not as professional politicians, but as temporary guardians of the common good. When ordinary citizens come together in this way, they make smarter, fairer, more forward-looking decisions, and often bring out the best in each other. By witnessing this process firsthand, Landemore learned that democracy should be a great party where even the shyest guests feel welcome to speak, be heard, and be heard. Through careful analysis and real-world examples, drawing on her experience in deliberative processes in France and elsewhere, Landemore shows us how to move beyond democracy as a spectator sport, and embrace it as a shared practice—not just at the ballot box, but in shaping the laws and policies that govern our lives.