The "Expert Class" Problem

About this episode

Lindsey Cormack discusses America's civic knowledge crisis and its implications for self-governance and voter participation.

In this conversation, political scientist Lindsey Cormack discusses why America’s civic knowledge crisis may be deeper than most people realize. From students not understanding basic government concepts like federalism, primaries, or even the three branches of government, to broader concerns about self-governance, voter participation, and the growing disconnect between citizens and civic responsibility, the discussion explores what happens when people stop understanding how their own system works. The interview also dives into ranked choice voting, approval voting, local government involvement, the “American experiment,” and why raising informed, engaged citizens may no longer be something schools can handle alone.

People in this episode

Guest: Lindsey Cormack

Topics covered

• civic knowledge
• voter participation
• self-governance
• ranked choice voting
• civic responsibility

Keywords

• civic knowledge crisis
• federalism
• three branches of government
• ranked choice voting
• voter participation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Independence Institute

More episodes of Devil's Advocate

• They're Taking Colorado's Water! · June 11, 2026 · 42 min
• Citizens Beat City Hall · June 4, 2026 · 33 min
• Regulators Robbed Pueblo · May 28, 2026 · 38 min
• She Won Then Disappeared · May 21, 2026 · 48 min
• Inside the Colorado GOP Meltdown · May 7, 2026 · 36 min
• They Won't Let You Vote · April 30, 2026 · 43 min