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  • All
  • Talks 298
  • People 70
  • Playlists 21
  • Blog posts 225
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1 - 30 of 672 results

Rory Stewart: Why democracy matters

The public is losing faith in democracy, says British MP Rory Stewart. Iraq and Afghanistan’s new democracies are deeply corrupt; meanwhile, 84 percent of people in Britain say politics is broken. In this important talk, Stewart sounds a call to action to rebuild democracy, starting with recognizing why democracy is important -- not as a tool, b...
https://www.ted.com/talks/rory_stewart_why_democracy_matters

Ivan Krastev: Can democracy exist without trust?

It seems the more we know about how democracy works -- through government transparency, better media coverage, even new insights about our brains -- the less we trust democracy itself. Yet it's still, arguably, the best system of government available. As Ivan Krastev says, "What went right is also what went wrong." Can democracy survive?
https://www.ted.com/talks/ivan_krastev_can_democracy_exist_without_trust

Lee Smolin: Science and democracy

Physicist Lee Smolin talks about how the scientific community works: as he puts it, "we fight and argue as hard as we can," but everyone accepts that the next generation of scientists will decide who's right. And, he says, that's how democracy works, too.
https://www.ted.com/talks/lee_smolin_science_and_democracy

Playlist: Why art is essential to democracy (10 talks)

Art invites viewers into perspectives and ways of life different from their own -- and with that, helps foster a sense of empathy required for democracy. Learn about the creative avenues art takes in giving power to the people.
Curated by TED · 10 talks
http://www.ted.com/playlists/why_art_is_important_to_democracy

Jarreth Merz: Filming democracy in Ghana

Jarreth Merz, a Swiss-Ghanaian filmmaker, came to Ghana in 2008 to film the national elections. What he saw there taught him new lessons about democracy -- and about himself.
https://www.ted.com/talks/jarreth_merz_filming_democracy_in_ghana

Dr. Robert Talisse: Why we need to put politics in its place

As our political landscape becomes more and more polarized and the fallout manifests itself across dining tables everywhere, philosopher Robert Talisse believes we need to take a big step back. In this provocative talk, he argues that there's a time and place for politics. "In order to do democracy well," he says, "we have to sometimes do things...
https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_robert_talisse_why_we_need_to_put_politics_in_its_place

Yasheng Huang: Does democracy stifle economic growth?

Economist Yasheng Huang compares China to India, and asks how China's authoritarian rule contributed to its astonishing economic growth -- leading to a big question: Is democracy actually holding India back? Huang's answer may surprise you.
https://www.ted.com/talks/yasheng_huang_does_democracy_stifle_economic_growth

Sayu Bhojwani: Immigrant voices make democracy stronger

In politics, representation matters -- and that's why we should elect leaders who reflect their country's diversity and embrace its multicultural tapestry, says Sayu Bhojwani. Through her own story of becoming an American citizen, the immigration scholar reveals how her love and dedication to her country turned into a driving force for political...
https://www.ted.com/talks/sayu_bhojwani_immigrant_voices_make_democracy_stronger

Oskar Eustis: Why theater is essential to democracy

Truth comes from the collision of different ideas, and theater plays an essential role in showing us that truth, says legendary artistic director Oskar Eustis. In this powerful talk, Eustis outlines his plan to reach (and listen to) people in places across the US where the theater, like many other institutions, has turned its back -- like the de...
https://www.ted.com/talks/oskar_eustis_why_theater_is_essential_to_democracy

Enrique Peñalosa: Why buses represent democracy in action

"An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport," argues Enrique Peñalosa. In this spirited talk, the mayor of Bogotá shares some of the tactics he used to change the transportation dynamic in the Colombian capital... and suggests ways to think about building smart cities of the ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/enrique_penalosa_why_buses_represent_democracy_in_action

Dustin Tahmahkera: The last chief of the Comanches and the fall of an empire

Late one night in 1871, a group of riders descended on a sleeping army camp, stole about 70 horses, and disappeared. Led by a young chief named Quanah Parker, the raid was the latest in a long series of altercations along the Texas frontier between Indigenous people and United States forces. Who was this brave warrior? Dustin Tahmahkera details ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/dustin_tahmahkera_the_last_chief_of_the_comanches_and_the_fall_of_an_empire

George Papandreou: Imagine a European democracy without borders

Greece has been the poster child for European economic crisis, but former Prime Minister George Papandreou wonders if it's just a preview of what's to come. “Our democracies," he says, "are trapped by systems that are too big to fail, or more accurately, too big to control” -- while "politicians like me have lost the trust of their peoples." How...
https://www.ted.com/talks/george_papandreou_imagine_a_european_democracy_without_borders

Anthony D. Romero: This is what democracy looks like

In a quest to make sense of the political environment in the United States in 2017, lawyer and ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero turned to a surprising place -- a 14th-century fresco by Italian Renaissance master Ambrogio Lorenzetti. What could a 700-year-old painting possibly teach us about life today? Turns out, a lot. Romero explains ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_d_romero_this_is_what_democracy_looks_like

Eric Liu: How to revive your belief in democracy

Civic evangelist Eric Liu shares a powerful way to rekindle the spirit of citizenship and the belief that democracy still works. Join him for a trip to "Civic Saturday" and learn more about how making civic engagement a weekly habit can help build communities based on shared values and a path to belonging.
https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_liu_how_to_revive_your_belief_in_democracy

Pia Mancini: How to upgrade democracy for the Internet era

Pia Mancini and her colleagues want to upgrade democracy in Argentina and beyond. Through their open-source mobile platform they want to bring citizens inside the legislative process, and run candidates who will listen to what they say.
https://www.ted.com/talks/pia_mancini_how_to_upgrade_democracy_for_the_internet_era

Danielle Citron: How deepfakes undermine truth and threaten democracy

The use of deepfake technology to manipulate video and audio for malicious purposes -- whether it's to stoke violence or defame politicians and journalists -- is becoming a real threat. As these tools become more accessible and their products more realistic, how will they shape what we believe about the world? In a portentous talk, law professor...
https://www.ted.com/talks/danielle_citron_how_deepfakes_undermine_truth_and_threaten_democracy

Chuck Plunkett: When local news dies, so does democracy

Nearly 1,800 newsrooms have shuttered across the US since 2004, leaving many communities unseen, unheard and in the dark. In this passionate talk and rallying cry, journalist Chuck Plunkett explains why he rebelled against his employer to raise awareness for an industry under threat of extinction -- and makes the case for local news as an essent...
https://www.ted.com/talks/chuck_plunkett_when_local_news_dies_so_does_democracy

Takis S. Pappas: The rise of modern populism

In many democratic countries, charismatic leaders vilify political opponents, disparage institutions, and claim to be for the people. Some critics label this approach as authoritarian or fascist, while others argue that these leaders are manipulating voters. This style of politics goes by the name of populism. Takis S. Pappas explores the phenom...
https://www.ted.com/talks/takis_s_pappas_the_rise_of_modern_populism

Max Rashbrooke: 3 ways to upgrade democracy for the 21st century

Democracy needs an update -- one that respects and engages citizens by involving them in everyday political decisions, says writer and researcher Max Rashbrooke. He outlines three global success stories that could help move democratic systems forward and protect society against the new challenges this century is already bringing.
https://www.ted.com/talks/max_rashbrooke_3_ways_to_upgrade_democracy_for_the_21st_century

Zachariah Mampilly: How protest is redefining democracy around the world

The democratic process is messy, complicated and often inefficient -- but across Africa, activists are redefining democracy by putting protest at its center. In an illuminating talk, political scientist Zachariah Mampilly gives us a primer on the current wave of protests reshaping countries like Tunisia, Malawi and Zimbabwe -- and explains how t...
https://www.ted.com/talks/zachariah_mampilly_how_protest_is_redefining_democracy_around_the_world

Yanis Varoufakis: Capitalism will eat democracy -- unless we speak up

Have you wondered why politicians aren't what they used to be, why governments seem unable to solve real problems? Economist Yanis Varoufakis, the former Minister of Finance for Greece, says that it's because you can be in politics today but not be in power -- because real power now belongs to those who control the economy. He believes that the ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/yanis_varoufakis_capitalism_will_eat_democracy_unless_we_speak_up

David Puttnam: Does the media have a "duty of care"?

In this thoughtful talk, David Puttnam asks a big question about the media: Does it have a moral imperative to create informed citizens, to support democracy? His solution for ensuring media responsibility is bold, and you might not agree. But it's certainly a question worth asking.
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_puttnam_does_the_media_have_a_duty_of_care

Maajid Nawaz: A global culture to fight extremism

Why do transnational extremist organizations succeed where democratic movements have a harder time taking hold? Maajid Nawaz, a former Islamist extremist, asks for new grassroots stories and global social activism to spread democracy in the face of nationalism and xenophobia.
https://www.ted.com/talks/maajid_nawaz_a_global_culture_to_fight_extremism

Audrey Tang: How digital innovation can fight pandemics and strengthen democracy

Can technology create a democracy that's fast, fair ... and even fun? Digital minister Audrey Tang shares how Taiwan avoided a COVID-19 shutdown in early 2020 through innovations like developing apps to map mask availability, crowdsourcing ideas that could become laws and creating a "humor over rumor" campaign to combat disinformation with comed...
https://www.ted.com/talks/audrey_tang_how_digital_innovation_can_fight_pandemics_and_strengthen_democracy

Yaël Eisenstat: Dear Facebook, this is how you're breaking democracy

"Lies are more engaging online than truth," says former CIA analyst, diplomat and Facebook employee Yaël Eisenstat. "As long as [social media] algorithms' goals are to keep us engaged, they will feed us the poison that plays to our worst instincts and human weaknesses." In this bold talk, Eisenstat explores how social media companies like Facebo...
https://www.ted.com/talks/yael_eisenstat_dear_facebook_this_is_how_you_re_breaking_democracy

Julius Maada Bio: A vision for the future of Sierra Leone

When Julius Maada Bio first seized political power in Sierra Leone in 1996, he did so to improve the lives of its citizens. But he soon realized that for democracy to flourish, its foundation needs to be built on the will of the people. After arranging an election, he voluntarily gave up power and left Africa. Twenty years later, after being dem...
https://www.ted.com/talks/julius_maada_bio_a_vision_for_the_future_of_sierra_leone

Michael Sandel: The lost art of democratic debate

Democracy thrives on civil debate, Michael Sandel says -- but we're shamefully out of practice. He leads a fun refresher, with TEDsters sparring over a recent Supreme Court case (PGA Tour Inc. v. Martin) whose outcome reveals the critical ingredient in justice.
https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_sandel_the_lost_art_of_democratic_debate

Yuval Noah Harari: Why fascism is so tempting -- and how your data could power it

In a profound talk about technology and power, author and historian Yuval Noah Harari explains the important difference between fascism and nationalism -- and what the consolidation of our data means for the future of democracy. Appearing as a hologram live from Tel Aviv, Harari warns that the greatest danger that now faces liberal democracy is ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/yuval_noah_harari_why_fascism_is_so_tempting_and_how_your_data_could_power_it

Eric Liu: Why ordinary people need to understand power

Far too many Americans are illiterate in power — what it is, how it operates and why some people have it. As a result, those few who do understand power wield disproportionate influence over everyone else. "We need to make civics sexy again," says civics educator Eric Liu. "As sexy as it was during the American Revolution or the Civil Rights Mov...
https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_liu_why_ordinary_people_need_to_understand_power

Beth Noveck: Demand a more open-source government

What can governments learn from the open-data revolution? In this stirring talk, Beth Noveck, the former deputy CTO at the White House, shares a vision of practical openness -- connecting bureaucracies to citizens, sharing data, creating a truly participatory democracy. Imagine the "writable society" ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/beth_noveck_demand_a_more_open_source_government
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