Do politicians and leaders make a difference? | Shabnam Nasimi, Aaron Bastani, Calvin Robinson

Shabnam Nasimi, Aaron Bastani, and Calvin Robinson debate the impact of politicians and leaders on politics. Watch the full debate at When polling day comes around, many wait with baited breath to find out who will be in power. But despite the heat and the divisiveness, whether it’s Trump or Biden, Sarkozy or Macron, Blair or Johnson, radical changes in our lives rarely materialize. Some argue that the complexity of decisions forces compromise. Others that we are living in an episode of Yes Minister, with inexperienced politicians unable to compete with permanent government employees. Democracy, they say, is just a veneer covering up a deep state of unaccountable advisers and experts. Should we recognize that politicians and leaders make little difference to policy? Should we give politicians greater control of the appointment of all civil servants rather than a few at the top? Or is the reality that the management of a modern economy is so complex that decisions are necessarily technical rather than political? #AaronBastani #CalvinRobinson #ShabnamNasimi Trailblazing journalist Calvin Robinson, social activist Shabnam Nasimi, and radical journalist Aaron Bastani debate the changing face of democracy in the 21st century. Hosted by Manveen Rana. The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! For debates and talks: For articles: For courses: