Archive FM

Brain in a Vat

The Problem with Democracy | Jason Brennan (Rebroadcast)

If most voters are misinformed, is democracy legitimate? What sort of voting system should we have in its place? And should some votes count more than others?


[00:00] Introduction to the Problems of Democracy

[00:17] Brexit: A Case Study in Misinformed Voting

[05:33] Voter Behavior: Social Benefits and Signaling

[18:29] The Legitimacy of Democratic Systems

[30:32] The Challenge of Political Incentives

[33:02] The Abortion Debate and Judicial Power

[36:41] Depoliticizing Social Life

[43:10] Proposals for Enlightened Preference Voting

[55:10] Global Voting and Democratic Legitimacy

[58:28] Philosophical Reflections on Democratic Theory


Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/

Broadcast on:
20 Apr 2025

If most voters are misinformed, is democracy legitimate? What sort of voting system should we have in its place? And should some votes count more than others?


[00:00] Introduction to the Problems of Democracy

[00:17] Brexit: A Case Study in Misinformed Voting

[05:33] Voter Behavior: Social Benefits and Signaling

[18:29] The Legitimacy of Democratic Systems

[30:32] The Challenge of Political Incentives

[33:02] The Abortion Debate and Judicial Power

[36:41] Depoliticizing Social Life

[43:10] Proposals for Enlightened Preference Voting

[55:10] Global Voting and Democratic Legitimacy

[58:28] Philosophical Reflections on Democratic Theory


Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/