
David Goodhart on Why the Educated Elite Lost Touch with Democracy
From The Good Fight by New America
March 24, 2026 · 1h 1m
About this episode
Yascha Mounk and David Goodhart discuss the disconnect between the educated elite and democracy, exploring themes of populism and meritocracy.
Yascha Mounk and David Goodhart explore how the domination of mobile, university-educated “anywheres” sparked the populist revolt. David Goodhart is a journalist, author and think tanker, and currently head of the demography unit at the Policy Exchange think tank. His latest book is The Care Dilemma: Freedom, Family and Fertility. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and David Goodhart discuss why the triumphalist worldview of the early 2000s has collapsed, how the “anywhere” versus “somewhere” divide explains contemporary populism, and whether meritocracy is creating an insulated professional class that damages the communities it leaves behind. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: leonora.barclay@persuasion.community Podcast production by Mickey Freeland and Leonora Barclay. Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google X: @Yascha_Mounk & @JoinPersuasion YouTube: Yascha Mounk, Persuasion LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Yascha Mounk
Guest: David Goodhart
Topics covered
- populism
- meritocracy
- educated elite
- democracy
- anywhere vs somewhere
- community
Keywords
- populism
- educated elite
- democracy
- meritocracy
- community
- anywhere
- somewhere
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Policy Exchange
Books & works: The Care Dilemma: Freedom, Family and Fertility
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