Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Professor James S. Fishkin of Stanford University—the mind behind Deliberative Polling®—to explore whether informed dialogue can heal democracy’s divisions. Fishkin shares how a single “eureka” moment in 1988 led to a global movement transforming how citizens think, talk, and decide together. From Texas to Mongolia, and now through AI-assisted platforms, deliberative polling is proving that when people have space to learn and listen, polarization can melt away.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How deliberative polling bridges divides and builds mutual respect
- Why “America in One Room” changed what’s possible for civic engagement
- How AI is helping scale democratic participation to millions worldwide
- What a truly deliberative society could look like in the U.S.
Get James’ new book, Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?, here: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Deliberation-Cure-Ills-Democracy/dp/0198944411
Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/
Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!
Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.
Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.
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