How Elites Lost America: The Bargain That Broke Democracy

March 16, 2026
How Elites Lost America: The Bargain That Broke Democracy
Roger Berkowitz — Political Theory Professor — Why today’s “left vs right” chaos is really a class revolt of the “virtuals” vs the “reals” (and how Arendt helps us rebuild common sense)

In this uncut conversation we discuss:

• The new political “revolution”: virtual elites vs hands-on “real” life—and why resentment is exploding

• How the retreat of everyday citizens from politics helped create today’s moral crisis and cynicism

• Why America’s institutions (Congress, federalism, courts) are losing legitimacy—and what that enables

• The hidden driver: loneliness, purposelessness, and Arendt’s warning about “metaphysical homelessness”

• A practical fix: citizen assemblies as a “jury system for politics” to restore trust and compromise

Watch on YouTube