694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?

Stephen Dubner recently served on a criminal jury. Twelve strangers — selected randomly and barely paid — took the job seriously. Afterward, he wondered: why can’t our politics work that way? A growing movement, inspired by Athenian democracy, says it can. SOURCES:Terry Bouricius, author and former Vermont state representative.Dj Hairston, public-defense lawyer.Kathy Hochul, governor of New York.Hélène Landemore, professor of political…