What is Democracy

(2018) - Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, What Is Democracy? reflects on a word we too often take for granted. Director Astra Taylor’s idiosyncratic, philosophical journey spans millennia and continents: from ancient Athens’ groundbreaking experiment in self-government to capitalism’s roots in medieval Italy; from modern-day Greece grappling with financial collapse and a mounting refugee crisis to the United States reckoning with its racist past and the growing gap between rich and poor. Featuring a diverse cast—including celebrated theorists, trauma surgeons, activists, factory workers, asylum seekers, and former prime ministers—this urgent film connects the past and the present, the emotional and the intellectual, the personal and the political, in order to provoke and inspire. If we want to live in democracy, we must first ask what the word even means.

Rent or buy the full film here.

‍

Related posts
Books
Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy

Written by Richard L. Hasen, this book offers concrete steps that need to be taken to restore trust in American elections before the democratic process is completely undermined.

Video
Dark Money

A political thriller, examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials

Democracy Journey
Democracy Journey: Introduction

A series about our democracy, how we got here, and what can be done.