Democracy Needs an Upgrade, Not a Replacement
Many people today feel that democracy is failing. But perhaps democracy itself is not the problem. The real problem is that the environment in which democracy operates has changed dramatically, while its institutions have not. For most of modern history, influencing public opinion was difficult and expensive. A political leader had to persuade newspapers to publish their views, speak at public meetings, or appear on television. Information spread relatively slowly, giving journalists, experts, and opponents time to question claims, expose falsehoods, and offer alternative viewpoints. No single person or group could instantly influence millions of people. Today, that has changed. A message—true or false—can reach millions within minutes. AI can generate convincing fake videos and images. Social media algorithms reward outrage over accuracy because outrage keeps people engaged. Political campaigns can target different messages to different groups without public scrutiny. Wealth, data, an...