Worklife with Adam Grant ReThinking: Taking politicians out of politics with Hélène Landemore
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Feb 10, 2026 
Hélène Landemore, Yale political scientist who champions citizen assemblies and lot-based democracy. She traces the idea from ancient Greece to modern experiments. Short takes on how lotteries can diversify lawmakers. Brief looks at design, deliberation, and why ordinary people might govern differently.
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Diversity Shapes Better Deliberation
- Citizens assemblies bring diverse lived experience, including homeless or retired participants, which changes how problems get framed and discussed.
- Landemore stresses emotional bonding and identity-building are as important as technical knowledge in deliberation.
Trust People Before Testing Them
- Choose whether you trust ordinary citizens or accept oligarchy; empower people first and education follows, not the reverse.
- Grant political rights to enable citizens to educate themselves and measure up to responsibilities.
Lottery Reduces Pathological Candidates
- Elections select for power-seeking personalities, often attracting narcissistic or manipulative candidates.
- Random selection reduces adverse selection and can produce more humble, service-oriented leaders.
