Hugo Drochon Says Elites Are Inevitable

I don't think populism is necessarily a challenge to democracy. I think it's part and parcel of it. Hugo Drochon Hugo Drochon joins The Democracy Paradox to explore why elites are an unavoidable part of democracy – and why that may not be a bad thing. Drawing on classical elite theory, he explains how democratic systems depend on the constant circulation of competing elites and why outsider movements, including populism, can play a vital role in keeping democracy responsive. The conversation challenges conventional views by reframing democracy as an ongoing, dynamic struggle rather than a fixed set of institutions. Hugo Drochon is an Associate Professor in Political Theory at the University of Nottingham and the author of a new book titled Elites and Democracy . The Democracy Paradox is made in partnership with the Kellogg Institute of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Read the full transcript here . Key Highlights Introduction - 0:20 Nobody Wants to be an Elite - 3:52 Lions, Foxes, and the Circulation of Elites - 15:34 Is Populism a Threat to Democracy? - 31:37 The Role of Ordinary Citizens - 41:12 Links Learn more about Hugo Drochon . Learn more about his upcoming book Elites and Democracy (Princeton University Press) Learn more about the Kellogg Institute . Register for the 2026 Global Democracy Conference at the University of Notre Dame. Apes of the State created all Music Email comments or questions to jkempf@democracyparadox.com Support the show

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Hugo Drochon Says Elites Are Inevitable is an episode from Democracy Paradox by Justin Kempf.

This episode is 47:59 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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