We don't need politicians. Hélène Landemore makes the case

By Lily Tyson

Published May 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT

FILE: Members of the commission applaud at the closing meeting of the Citizens' Convention on the End of Life ("Convention citoyenne sur la fin de vie"), at the Conseil economique, social et environnemental (CESE) in Paris on April 2, 2023. - A citizens' convention, which has gathered 184 randomly selected French citizens for regular meetings over the past three months, presents its final conclusions on April 2 over the issue of legalising euthanasia in France. — Members of the commission applaud at the closing meeting of the Citizens' Convention on the End of Life ("Convention citoyenne sur la fin de vie"), at the Conseil economique, social et environnemental (CESE) in Paris on April 2, 2023. - A citizens' convention, which has gathered 184 randomly selected French citizens for regular meetings over the past three months, presents its final conclusions on April 2 over the issue of legalising euthanasia in France.

Do we really need politicians? What would our politics look like without them? These are some of the ideas that Yale political scientist Hélène Landemore explores in her work, including in the Connecticut Citizens’ Assembly, taking place this summer. Landemore joins us for the hour.

GUEST:

Hélène Landemore: Professor of Political Science at Yale University. Her new book is Politics Without Politicians: The Case for Citizen Rule

Music featured (in order):

Hands Across The Sea – John Philip Sousa as performed by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart – Stevie Wonder
People Have the Power – Patti Smith
Democracy – Leonard Cohen
Love Is Sweeping the Country – Chris Connor
Of Thee I Sing – Ella Fitzgerald

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Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.