Can Direct Democracy Defuse Populism?
- October 01, 2020
A surging wave of populism is destabilizing democracies around the world, propelled by the belief that government has slipped out of the hands of ordinary citizens. Is direct democracy a solution to bringing policies back in line with the will of the people? Can voters be trusted to choose reasonable policies? Join the Stigler Center for a conversation with professors John Matsusaka (USC) and Thad Kousser (UCSD) on these topics, covered in Matsusaka’s new book, Let the People Rule: How Direct Democracy Can Meet the Populist Challenge. The conversation will be moderated by Chicago Booth’s Luigi Zingales.
Matsusaka's book, Let the People Rule: How Direct Democracy Can Meet the Populist Challenge, is available for purchase from The Seminary Co-op.
John Matsusaka, Charles F. Sexton Chair in American Enterprise, Professor of Finance and Business Economics; Executive Director, Initiative and Referendum Institute, University of Southern California
Thad Kousser, Department Chair and Professor of Political Science, University of California San Diego
Luigi Zingales (moderator), Robert C. McCormack Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance; Faculty Director, Stigler Center, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The webinar will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CDT via Zoom.