Real Democracy Now! a podcast answers the question: can we do democracy differently? If you're dissatisfied with the current state of democracy but not sure how it could be improved this is the podcast for you. You'll hear from experts and activists as well as everyday people about how democracy works and how it can be improved. Then you get to choose which reforms you think would make the most difference.
Book - Democracy in Action: Collective Problem Solving in Citizens' Governance Spaces
Albert Dzur and Carolyn Hendriks' book Democracy in Action: Collective Problem Solving in Citizens' Governance Spaces considers a range of citizen initiatives that solve complex problems directly rather than through advocacy and policy change.
In this episode, you'll learn how grassroots citizen initiatives are shaping modern democracy, often operating independently of traditional political and institutional structures. This episode explores real-world case studies, key features of citizen governance spaces, and their potential to influence public policy and democratic reform.
I want to thank Nicole Curato for suggesting that I create a series of episodes on books, as well as the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance for their support of these episodes.
18 Feb 2026
Collaboration and Public Policy; Agency in the Pursuit of Public Purpose
In this episode, Helen Sullivan discusses her book 'Collaboration and Public in the Pursuit of Public Purpose'. She emphasises the importance of collaboration in public policy, the role of agency, & the need for public participation. We also touch on emotions in public service, the challenges of sustaining collaboration beyond individual actors, and the impact of context on collaborative efforts. She highlights the evolving nature of collaboration amid global challenges & the influence of AI.
I want to thank Nicole Curato for suggesting a series of episodes on books, and the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance for their support of these episodes.
31 Dec 2021
The Paris Citizens' Assembly
In this bonus episode, I talk with Anouch Toranian, the Deputy Mayor of Paris, Yves Dejaeghere, the Executive Director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy, Europe and Claudia Chwalisz (https://claudiachwalisz.com/), leader of innovation in citizen engagement with the OECD about the design and establishment of the Paris Citizens' Assembly.
The Paris Citizens' Assembly was established in 2021 with 100 Parisians representing the diversity of the city of Paris. The Assembly is charged with evaluating past programs or policies, setting up citizens' juries and determining the topic for Paris' annual participatory budgeting process.
The Assembly is unique in that the Council are sharing with the Assembly members responsibility for designing how it works.
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