“Campaign strategist and community organizer Dave Meslin guides viewers through the quagmire of modern democracy to explore its most pervasive barriers and blind spots. Along the way, he sheds light on simple, creative and tested solutions to help remedy a broken democracy.”
BLOOD SPORT. In an increasingly polarised society, complex issues are often reduced to opposing sides: right versus left, driver versus cyclist, environment versus business. "Unrigged" explores the impact of polarisation on our political landscape and examines how mob-driven verbal warfare and ruthless tribalism shape our discourse. More importantly, we explore ways to transform our political environment from conflict to constructive engagement, featuring reflections from current and former politicians on their own behaviour.
TEACHING POWER. To foster a culture of participation, we must provide an intuitive understanding of how the system works, showing that anyone, even young people, can take a leading role. Imagine trying to excite kids about baseball but placing them in a class called "Sphere Contact and Diamond Circumnavigation", where they memorise obscure game scores from the 1960s. Ridiculous, right? Yet, this reflects the current state of civics education in Canada. To empower youth with the tools to find their voice and effect change, we need a fresh approach. By making civics accessible and exciting, we can equip the next generation to shape the world around them.
BETTER BALLOTS. We all update our phone's operating system once in a while, but when was the last time we upgraded the "operating system" of our democracy? In Canada, we never have. Election outcomes increasingly misrepresent voter interests, leading to greater polarisation, a lack of diversity in government and low voter turnout. Reforming our voting system could offer more choices and diversity, ensuring voters' voices are truly heard. Join us as we explore alternative voting systems and their potential to revolutionize our democracy.
OPENING THE DOORS. Politics can feel intimidating, but it's not that people don't want to engage; they need an environment that feels safe, comfortable, and worthwhile. Government buildings often seem exclusive and designed to keep people out. Even small design flaws can create significant barriers to participation. Creating a good user experience (UX) is essential for better interaction between governments and citizens..
TAKING THE REINS. Democracy shouldn’t be limited to casting a ballot and waiting passively for four years. In this episode of “Unrigged,” we explore participatory models of democracy between elections, highlighting the continuous importance of citizens' voices. There's a growing demand, particularly from younger generations, for greater influence outside election cycles. Despite political promises to return power to the people, true change requires altering the decision-making process. To boost participation and combat apathy, we must move beyond slogans to clear, empowering proposals.
THE LOTTERY. In this episode of “Unrigged”, we explore the roots of democracy in ancient Athens where a democratic lottery replaced elections. What if we used this method today and selected ordinary people to tackle political issues? Research shows diverse perspectives are crucial for problem-solving. Citizens’ assemblies exemplify this approach by gathering a diverse group of people to address specific issues.