[U]SA Ep. 2 (Part 2/2): Nick Coccoma from Assemble America

from [Undetermined] States of America · host Colin Pugh

A few weeks ago, Nick and I had a follow up podcast to our part 1 because it felt like we were only beginning to scratch the service! In this episode, we continue our exploration of sortition systems, focusing on the themes of legitimacy and consent. We discuss the challenges of shifting cultural narratives around democracy, the potential of sortition to offer a more representative and egalitarian form of governance, and the historical and philosophical underpinnings of these ideas. We examine how sortition could transform political legitimacy and citizen engagement, offering a fresh perspective on the future of democracy.I really enjoyed talking with Nick again and I’m sure this won’t be the last time we have him on the podcast! We experienced some technical issues again unfortunately :I have TWO really amazing recordings to share after this one which will come out in the next few weeks: one with Leonora Camner, ED of Democracy Without Elections and the second is a recording of our live event that took place in Manhattan on July 19th! Stay tuned for those ^.^Chapter/topic list:Introduction and Recap: Nick and I set the stage for the discussion, recapping previous conversations and introducing the focus on legitimacy and consent.Cultural Narratives and Democracy: A deep dive into how cultural narratives shape our understanding of democracy and the challenges of changing these narratives.Legitimacy in Sortition Systems: Exploring the concept of legitimacy in sortition, comparing it to traditional electoral systems.Consent of the Governed: Discussing the philosophical and practical aspects of consent in governance, particularly in sortition systems.Historical Context and Sortition: A look at historical examples of sortition and its philosophical roots.Challenges and Opportunities: Addressing the potential challenges sortition systems face and the opportunities they present for more inclusive governance.Future of Democracy: Speculating on the future of democracy and the role sortition could play in shaping it.Closing Thoughts: Nick and I wrap up the discussion with reflections on the conversation and thoughts on future episodes. Get full access to [Undetermined] States of America at www.undetermined.us/subscribe

NOW PLAYING

0:00 1:32:12

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

I'm ok

Mar 26, 2026 ·1m

Food Saved My Life

Mar 19, 2026 ·34m

Eat More Vegetables: The 4 Foods That Beat Ozempic (Naturally)

Feb 18, 2026 ·11m

How to End Heart Disease with Dr. Fuhrman

Feb 11, 2026 ·45m

Revolutionizing Breast Health: QT Imaging, Overdiagnosis, and What to Do Instead

Jan 27, 2026 ·35m

REMIX: Why we over-shop and compulsively acquire, and how to stop, with Dr Jan Eppingstall

Jan 9, 2026 ·61m

Similar Podcasts

Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of [Undetermined] States of America?

This episode is 1 hour and 32 minutes long.

When was this [Undetermined] States of America episode published?

This episode was published on August 1, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this [Undetermined] States of America episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!