What the 18th Century Can Teach the 21st

What the 18th Century Can Teach the 21st

by Danielle Allen in The Atlantic Magazine, May 21, 2026 Article to read can be found here: What the 18th Century Can Teach the 21st - The Atlantic [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/18th-century-britain-reform/687221/?gift=iriDSrxlDYm9llQtHCDnS_7PskLUwB01up0TaItJBUE&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share]Britain had a revolution too—slower and quieter than America’s. Did the British do it better? Looking back to the Age of Revolution, and across the sea, can offer some useful perspective. Although the fact is often forgotten, the American colonists were not the only people who faced a political crisis in the late 18th century. The British people did too. And, ironically, the United States finds itself in a situation today very similar to the one Britain faced back then.

Are we ready for a new voting rights movement?

Sixty-million American voters (1 in 4) are effectively disenfranchised by political structures designed to weaken or eliminate their vote. It's becoming a crisis and it's time to fix the system. This is the latest article in The Renovator by esteemed scholar Danielle Allen. In this article she explains how the disenfranchisement works in different states and outlines 3 paths to fixing the system. Listening time is about 15 1/2 minutes. You can read the article in full here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/6wKv2XXfn4kLdtntZmqyu8/episode/7IA8LOe7TufDgGhBrp8Pwf/wizard

Episode 5 - The Dollar's Special Status - Sources and Threats

Have you ever wondered why the world does business in US dollars? Or whether that dominance confers special benefits to the US? Have you heard doomers who claim the dollar is about to be dethroned, most recently because Iran is charging Strait of Hormuz tolls in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan? Well Nobel prize winning economist excels at explaining complex topics like this in layman's terms. This episode is somewhat longer than normal at about 27 minutes. If you prefer to read the original article, here's the link: The Dollar’s Special Status: Sources and Threats [https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-dollars-special-status-sources]I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a comment letting me know if you do or do not like these longer, explanatory podcasts.

Democracy Refreshed - Episode 8 - The Founders didn't want a Mar-a-Lago executive branch

Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen wrote a series ofarticles for the Washington Post in 2023 and 2024.  That series was called "Democracy Refreshed".  Here is the 8th and final article where she examines the expansion of presidential power and how to overcome that problem. If you wish to read the article instead of listening, here's the link: Opinion | The Founders didn’t envision a Mar-a-Lago executive branch - The Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/19/danielle-allen-founders-executive-branch-renovating-democracy/]

Democracy Refreshed - Episode 7 - Is fixing democracy partisan?

Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen wrote a series ofarticles for the Washington Post in 2023 and 2024.  That series was called "Democracy Refreshed".  Here is the 7th articlewhere Danielle answers some FAQs about democracy renovation. If you prefer to read the article instead of listening, here's the link: Opinion | What is democracy renovation? Here’s what to know. - The Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/23/democracy-renovation-faq-danielle-allen/]