The Future of Our Former Democracy

In this bonus episode, George sits down with Claire Hanna, Member of Parliament from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) representing Belfast South and Mid Down. Claire shares insights into her journey as an activist and politician, her family's history with the SDLP, and her experiences running in different electoral systems. She delves into the complexities of Northern Ireland's political landscape, the intricacies of the Good Friday Agreement, and the impact of power-sharing mechanisms. Claire also reflects on the changing role of women in politics, the challenges of campaigning, and offers her perspective on the state of democracy in the US.

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/  

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:   

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

In this bonus episode, listeners can hear the full presentation and poetry reading from Irish poet, conflict mediator, and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama, which was excerpted throughout season 1 of The Future of Our Former Democracy. Before jumping in, Colin and George offer a quick reflection on the results of last week’s U.S. presidential election and compare the rise of far-right movements in the U.S. to similar trends in Western Europe, focusing on the electoral dynamics in France, the UK, and Germany.

Transcript

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

This episode is a special postscript of 'The Future of Our Former Democracy,' focusing on a learning tour organized by More Equitable Democracy to the Republic of Ireland to observe elections in June 2024. Colin and George recount their experiences at the Royal Dublin Society, witnessing the tallying process, and the cultural importance of elections in Ireland. The episode features interviews with Irish citizens including election volunteers, taxi drivers, and elected officials, providing diverse perspectives on the Republic of Ireland's democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Yemi Adenuga 

Hazel Chu 

Teresa Buczkowska 

Northern Ireland Youth Forum  

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

Video: Ballot Sorting Process in Ireland 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

In our final episode of the season, George and Colin explore the historic and ongoing dynamics of Northern Ireland's peace process, focusing on the transformative impact of the 1998 Agreement. They discuss the establishment of new power-sharing structures and the adoption of proportional representation. More importantly, they discuss how these structural changes to Northern Ireland’s democracy largely brought an end to 30 years of violent, sectarian, political conflict in the region. 

The story of the 1998 Agreement gives Americans permission to hope again for our democracy. If Northern Ireland has taught us anything, it’s that we can—and should—reimagine a more inclusive, vibrant future of our former democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

George and Colin get into The Troubles - Northern Ireland's turbulent period from the late 1960s to 1998. They discuss the social, political, and sectarian divisions that sparked the Troubles, featuring key events such as Northern Ireland’s civil rights movement, Bloody Sunday, the Abercorn bombing and the killing of three Scottish fusiliers. The narrative explores both the historical and contemporary impacts of segregation and violence in Belfast, the evolution of the IRA, and the contentious policies of internment, British military intervention and direct rule by Westminster during this time. We hear from people who experienced the conflict firsthand, and underscore the importance of the early and bold attempt at power sharing, (the Sunningdale Agreement) in arriving at a historic peace accord years later (the 1998 Agreement) an important step towards lasting peace through power-sharing. The narrative underscores the ongoing struggle for power-sharing and the implications of different electoral systems in conflict resolution. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

George and Colin turn their attention to the US – because believe it or not, parts of the US once used proportional representation! They explore the history and impact of ranked choice voting (RCV) in New York City and its broader implications for electoral reform in the United States and Ireland. After highlighting NYC's adoption of RCV in 2021 and its positive outcomes, including a more diverse city council, George and Colin explore NYC's first-ever use of RCV... all the way back in 1933!  

They draw parallels between electoral reforms in the U.S. and Northern Ireland, focusing on their common political landscapes and the systemic challenges faced by their respective minorities. Then for the policy nerds, they dig into gerrymandering and the manipulation of electoral systems, different versions of RCV, and underscore the ongoing potential of proportional representation. They conclude with reflections on modern efforts to revive these electoral reforms, with a case study of Portland, Oregon, and a hopeful vision for the future. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound  

Jenny Lee, Coalition of Communities of Color 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

Article - Back to the future: What New York’s democracy experiment of the 1930s says about today 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

Revolution and electoral politics – our favorite! George and Colin discuss Ireland's tumultuous journey towards independence and the partition of Northern Ireland post-World War I, focusing on significant events like the Easter Rising of 1916 and the War of Independence.  

With the help of experts, George and Colin discuss key historical milestones such as the 1918 General Election, which saw Sinn Féin's landslide victory, the eventual partition of Ireland into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, their adoption of different electoral systems, and how those systems changes set both regions on divergent paths. The episode also dips into the complexities of naming and identity in Northern Ireland, reflecting deep-rooted political and social divides.  

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Daragh Fitzgerald, Historical Walking Tours 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound  

Erik Stewart, General Post Office 

Episode Photo Gallery  

Music and archival 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

Colin and George go waaaay back in time to discuss the historical roots of the tension between Ireland and England, through four historical touchpoints - the Ulster Plantations, Cromwell's Conquest, the Battle of the Boyne, and the Great Hunger. Believe it or not, the contemporary subjugation and tragedies faced by the Irish at the hands of the English reach all the way back to Henry VIII, and these historical animosities continue to influence contemporary Northern Irish identities and politics to this day.  

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Daragh Fitzgerald, Historical Walking Tours 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound  

Brain Ephraim, Millmount Museum 

Shane Heaney, Millmount Museum  

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Video: The Difference between the UK, Great Britain & England Explained 

Transcript 

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

American Democracy sucks right now! More specifically, the United States' electoral system is outdated and needs reform to better represent its diverse population. George Cheung and Colin Cole from More Equitable Democracy probe what the U.S. can learn from Northern Ireland's adoption of proportional representation to overcome political divisions and achieve fairer representation. The episode examines the origins of the American electoral system, critiques its current inefficiencies, and makes a case for rethinking democracy by looking at Northern Ireland. Through historical context, personal stories, and expert interviews, the podcast seeks to inspire listeners to consider radical changes that can lead to a more equitable and representative democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Daragh Fitzgerald, Historical Walking Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Music and archival references  

For more information on More Equitable Democracy’s work, please visit: https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/ 

For more information on Larj Media, please visit:  

https://www.larjmedia.com/ 

Northern Ireland’s history and politics offer a blueprint for how the US can implement a better electoral system, especially in the wake of rising polarization and political violence. Developed in partnership with Larj Media and More Equitable Democracy.