Cynicism is rising and trust in politics is eroding — yet a quiet democratic renewal is already underway. From Ireland’s Citizens’ Assemblies to Canada’s approach to settling refugees, and from Oregonians fighting misinformation at the ballot box, new approaches are showing what’s possible when we trust people with more responsibility.
In this conversation, Peter MacLeod, one of Canada’s leading voices on democracy, will share the ideas from his newly released book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public, calling for bold new institutions that draw on the talents, judgment, and capabilities of the public.
Drawing on real-world examples from more than a dozen countries, MacLeod shows that the public isn’t a risk to be managed — it’s a resource to be tapped. This event explores what’s changing in democracy, what’s possible, and what actually works.
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Peter MacLeod is the founder and principal of MASS LBP where for nearly two decades he has been at the forefront of democratic innovation championing a new approach to politics that gives more people a seat at the table. A trusted advisor to governments at all levels, he is one of Canada’s leading voices on democracy, active citizenship and working with the public.
