Watch our P4P Discussion with Dr. Danielle Allen

On Tuesday, June 21st, people from across the country joined Politics for the People host Cathy Stewart for a virtual discussion with Dr. Danielle Allen, about her two recent works:

Democracy in the Time of Coronavirus and CUZ: The Life and Times of Michael A.

As Dr. Jessie Fields put it, “Reading the books together with the book club, I’ve discovered there are many bridges to journey on between and through the two books.” Join us as we explore with Dr. Allen.

You can watch the full video below:

Four highlights from our dialogue with Dr. Danielle Allen


“If as a society we had that sense of commitment to each other and the people around us, we could do so much more for one another. There’s really not anything limiting us from the point of view of resources or capacity, even creativity. It’s really a question of what’s in our hearts towards others around us.” – Dr. Danielle Allen


“How can we protect health and the economy at the same time?”


Reflecting on her run for governor:

“It was a very expensive but very effective form of therapy. I was very angry and just full of despair before I set off on the run and for all the reasons you read about in the book… As I visited with people around the commonwealth it was just clear to me that there was so much good work and so many solutions on the ground and communities all over the state. Even solutions to the big problems we are facing…”


In response to a question from Lou Hinman on the role of the parties, Danielle  commented,

“We have a lot of work to do to achieve a solidarity worthy of the people we are here in the 21st Century….I’m an advocate for open primaries at this point, nonpartisan primaries.  From my point of view that’s a really important step. It gives candidates and media consultants the chance to communicate to the whole electorate all the way through the election. I think that’s one of the ways we can change change the dynamic so that our parties are no captured just by the really small percentage of people of are participating with them in the primaries. So we have to change those incentive structures to change the dynamic.”


Enjoy our full conversation above.

And here are the links for the announcements:


From 2022 to 2024: Independents Look Ahead

Add you voice, speak out on key issues confronting our nation, expand the conversation about why you and so many others are independent, and share your thoughts as we head towards the 2024 election. Take the survey and help us reach 5,000 independents in every state of the country.


The People – National Assembly

Our partners at The People are hosting their Fourth Annual National Assembly this coming Sunday, June 26th at 12 noon ET. The Assembly brings together Americans across the country and will focus on The People’s 2022 election strategy, a report on a new initiative – Meeting of America, and how everyday people can change democracy. You can register to attend the National Assembly here.


Politics for the People Next Selection

The Independent Voter, coauthored by Jackie Salit, president of Independent Voting, Dr. Omar Ali from UNC Greensboro, and Dr. Thom Reilly, from ASU, is being released by Routledge Press on September 29th and will be our fall bookclub selection. The book examines who independent voters are, and how they are transforming the political landscape in the United States. You can pre-order the book now. We will be talking with the authors this fall! Stay tuned for the date!


Founder of the Politics for the People free educational series and book club for independent voters. Chair of the New York County Independence Party.

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