Why Economic Inequality Is the Biggest Threat to Democracy | Sally Kohn | TED

250 250 years ago, years ago, years ago, just under a mile from here, just under a mile from here, just under a mile from here, Thomas Jefferson wrote one of the most Thomas Jefferson wrote one of the most Thomas Jefferson wrote one of the most consequential documents in American consequential documents in American consequential documents in American history. history. history. Now, Now, Now, the Declaration of Independence wasn't the Declaration of Independence wasn't the Declaration of Independence wasn't perfect. Just like the guy who wrote it perfect. Just like the guy who wrote it perfect. Just like the guy who wrote it and the country it created weren't and the country it created weren't and the country it created weren't perfect, either. perfect, either. perfect, either. But, it set us on this path, right? This But, it set us on this path, right? This But, it set us on this path, right? This beautiful, audacious, complicated path beautiful, audacious, complicated path beautiful, audacious, complicated path that's still evolving. that's still evolving. that's still evolving. And the Declaration of Independence And the Declaration of Independence And the Declaration of Independence still gives me chills. still gives me chills. still gives me chills. We hold these truths We hold these truths We hold these truths to be self-evident, to be self-evident, to be self-evident, that all that all that all are created equal, that they are endowed are created equal, that they are endowed are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, and with certain unalienable rights, and with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, that among these are life, that among these are life, liberty, liberty, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's good, and the pursuit of happiness. It's good, and the pursuit of happiness. It's good, right? right? right? Did you get chills?

I mean, yeah, I changed it a little, I mean, yeah, I changed it a little, okay, from okay, from okay, from all men are created equal to all are all men are created equal to all are all men are created equal to all are created equal, cuz it makes it better, created equal, cuz it makes it better, created equal, cuz it makes it better, right? right? right? Thank you. And [applause] And [applause] that's the point I want to talk with you that's the point I want to talk with you that's the point I want to talk with you about today, that to live up to its about today, that to live up to its about today, that to live up to its promise, we have evolved democracy in promise, we have evolved democracy in promise, we have evolved democracy in the past, the past, the past, and it needs to evolve again. Not only and it needs to evolve again. Not only and it needs to evolve again. Not only so that we can feel our votes count, so that we can feel our votes count, so that we can feel our votes count, but so we can count democracy's real but so we can count democracy's real but so we can count democracy's real benefits benefits benefits in our lives, in our lives, in our lives, including in our wallets. including in our wallets. including in our wallets. So, a couple of years ago, a So, a couple of years ago, a So, a couple of years ago, a uh philanthropic foundation in the uh philanthropic foundation in the uh philanthropic foundation in the United States asked me to do some United States asked me to do some United States asked me to do some research to find out why research to find out why research to find out why authoritarianism was gaining ground authoritarianism was gaining ground authoritarianism was gaining ground around the globe. So, I interviewed uh, around the globe. So, I interviewed uh, around the globe. So, I interviewed uh, you you you civic leaders in West Africa and civic leaders in West Africa and civic leaders in West Africa and scholars in Eastern Europe and democracy scholars in Eastern Europe and democracy scholars in Eastern Europe and democracy leaders in Latin America. And I asked leaders in Latin America. And I asked leaders in Latin America. And I asked them, "What's authoritarianism getting them, "What's authoritarianism getting them, "What's authoritarianism getting so right?

so right? so right? These leaders that are pushing people These leaders that are pushing people These leaders that are pushing people and places away from democracy, what are and places away from democracy, what are and places away from democracy, what are these authoritarians doing these authoritarians doing these authoritarians doing that's so effective?" that's so effective?" that's so effective?" Pretty much everyone I talked to Pretty much everyone I talked to Pretty much everyone I talked to said I was asking the wrong question. said I was asking the wrong question. said I was asking the wrong question. That authoritarianism wasn't surging That authoritarianism wasn't surging That authoritarianism wasn't surging because of anything it was doing right, because of anything it was doing right, because of anything it was doing right, but because of what democracy was but because of what democracy was but because of what democracy was getting getting getting wrong. That stopped me in my tracks. That stopped me in my tracks. The way they put it, authoritarianism The way they put it, authoritarianism The way they put it, authoritarianism was like an opportunistic disease that was like an opportunistic disease that was like an opportunistic disease that could only take root could only take root could only take root when democracy was weak. when democracy was weak. when democracy was weak. And in case you haven't been paying And in case you haven't been paying And in case you haven't been paying attention, democracy's kind of on life support. So, democracy's kind of on life support. So, according to Freedom House, according to Freedom House, according to Freedom House, only about 20% only about 20% only about 20% of the world's population lives in a of the world's population lives in a of the world's population lives in a country currently that can be considered country currently that can be considered country currently that can be considered free. free. free. And dissatisfaction with democracy is And dissatisfaction with democracy is And dissatisfaction with democracy is rising worldwide. In the US, for rising worldwide. In the US, for rising worldwide. In the US, for instance, instance, instance, about three out of five Americans say about three out of five Americans say about three out of five Americans say they are currently dissatisfied they are currently dissatisfied they are currently dissatisfied with how democracy is working. Why?

with how democracy is working. Why? with how democracy is working. Why? The answer came from a conversation I The answer came from a conversation I The answer came from a conversation I had with Kwasi Prempeh. had with Kwasi Prempeh. had with Kwasi Prempeh. So, Kwasi runs the Ghana Center for So, Kwasi runs the Ghana Center for So, Kwasi runs the Ghana Center for Democratic Development. Now, Ghana only Democratic Development. Now, Ghana only Democratic Development. Now, Ghana only won independence from colonial rule in won independence from colonial rule in won independence from colonial rule in 1957. So, not that long ago, 1957. So, not that long ago, 1957. So, not that long ago, but long enough that most people in but long enough that most people in but long enough that most people in Ghana today don't remember a time before Ghana today don't remember a time before Ghana today don't remember a time before democracy. But what they do know But what they do know is that they're struggling is that they're struggling is that they're struggling economically economically economically right now right now right now under democracy. under democracy. under democracy. And so as Quazi put it, they very And so as Quazi put it, they very And so as Quazi put it, they very understandably ask what has democracy understandably ask what has democracy understandably ask what has democracy done for me lately? His point His point is that democracies that do not deliver is that democracies that do not deliver is that democracies that do not deliver broad-based opportunity are vulnerable broad-based opportunity are vulnerable broad-based opportunity are vulnerable to autocratic capture. to autocratic capture. to autocratic capture. And research backs this up. So Susan And research backs this up. So Susan And research backs this up. So Susan Stokes is a political science professor Stokes is a political science professor Stokes is a political science professor at the University of Chicago. She has at the University of Chicago. She has at the University of Chicago. She has looked at variables for why democracy looked at variables for why democracy looked at variables for why democracy erodes in some countries but not others.

erodes in some countries but not others. erodes in some countries but not others. Income inequality Income inequality Income inequality is the overwhelming is the overwhelming is the overwhelming variable in democratic backsliding. So variable in democratic backsliding. So variable in democratic backsliding. So much so that Stokes said short of much so that Stokes said short of much so that Stokes said short of unplugging their computers, they unplugging their computers, they unplugging their computers, they couldn't make it go away. Now, I want to couldn't make it go away. Now, I want to couldn't make it go away. Now, I want to be really clear about something. In the be really clear about something. In the be really clear about something. In the richest country in the world richest country in the world richest country in the world a country that boasts about being a land a country that boasts about being a land a country that boasts about being a land of opportunity for all of opportunity for all of opportunity for all ensuring meaningful economic opportunity ensuring meaningful economic opportunity ensuring meaningful economic opportunity for all is the right thing to do. for all is the right thing to do. for all is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. And that is It is the moral thing to do. And that is It is the moral thing to do. And that is enough of a reason to do it. enough of a reason to do it. enough of a reason to do it. And it's practical. Economic justice Economic justice is how we save democracy. is how we save democracy. is how we save democracy. >> [applause] >> So >> So I'm feeling like this might be as much I'm feeling like this might be as much I'm feeling like this might be as much of a revelation to you as it was to me of a revelation to you as it was to me of a revelation to you as it was to me or at At it was maybe more of a or at At it was maybe more of a or at At it was maybe more of a revelation to me than it was to you.

revelation to me than it was to you. revelation to me than it was to you. Because we were used to, we have for our Because we were used to, we have for our Because we were used to, we have for our 250 years thought of democracy and 250 years thought of democracy and 250 years thought of democracy and economic opportunity as distinct and economic opportunity as distinct and economic opportunity as distinct and separate. I mean, obviously interrelated separate. I mean, obviously interrelated separate. I mean, obviously interrelated and for many of us equally important, and for many of us equally important, and for many of us equally important, but but separate. but but separate. but but separate. They're not. They're not. They're not. They're two sides of the same coin. They're two sides of the same coin. They're two sides of the same coin. Because if democracy doesn't deliver Because if democracy doesn't deliver Because if democracy doesn't deliver meaningful meaningful meaningful economic opportunity, democracy starts economic opportunity, democracy starts economic opportunity, democracy starts to feel meaningless. to feel meaningless. to feel meaningless. And that makes authoritarianism and And that makes authoritarianism and And that makes authoritarianism and other forms of government more other forms of government more other forms of government more attractive, not in and of themselves, attractive, not in and of themselves, attractive, not in and of themselves, but by default, but by default, but by default, because democracy is defaulting on its because democracy is defaulting on its because democracy is defaulting on its promise. promise. promise. So, I said before So, I said before So, I said before that we've evolved democracy in the past that we've evolved democracy in the past that we've evolved democracy in the past and it needs to evolve again. I want us and it needs to evolve again. I want us and it needs to evolve again. I want us to think about democracy in phases. to think about democracy in phases. to think about democracy in phases. Democracy 1.0 Democracy 1.0 Democracy 1.0 is that initial idea.

is that initial idea. is that initial idea. That the people That the people That the people should have the power in a political should have the power in a political should have the power in a political system, system, system, not kings, not kings, not kings, not empires, not empires, not empires, not corporations, not corporations, not corporations, the people. the people. the people. It was a radical idea for its time. It was a radical idea for its time. It was a radical idea for its time. Honestly, it's still really radical. Honestly, it's still really radical. Honestly, it's still really radical. But, as we know, that was just the But, as we know, that was just the But, as we know, that was just the beginning. Democracy 2.0 is the phase where we expand who is the phase where we expand who is included in democracy, who gets to is included in democracy, who gets to is included in democracy, who gets to participate, who counts participate, who counts participate, who counts as the people. as the people. as the people. In the United States, In the United States, In the United States, that process has been long. that process has been long. that process has been long. It has taken generations of struggle, It has taken generations of struggle, It has taken generations of struggle, abolition, suffrage, civil rights, to abolition, suffrage, civil rights, to abolition, suffrage, civil rights, to make democracy more inclusive, to say make democracy more inclusive, to say make democracy more inclusive, to say that everyone gets an equal vote that everyone gets an equal vote that everyone gets an equal vote because everyone matters equally. because everyone matters equally. because everyone matters equally. The brilliant scholar Isabel Wilkerson The brilliant scholar Isabel Wilkerson The brilliant scholar Isabel Wilkerson argues that in fact the US wasn't even argues that in fact the US wasn't even argues that in fact the US wasn't even really a democracy until 1965 when the really a democracy until 1965 when the really a democracy until 1965 when the Voting Rights Act became law. And ever Voting Rights Act became law. And ever Voting Rights Act became law. And ever since then there has been an aggressive since then there has been an aggressive since then there has been an aggressive movement to roll back that progress.

movement to roll back that progress. movement to roll back that progress. While we should be making more progress While we should be making more progress While we should be making more progress on democracy 2.0 on democracy 2.0 on democracy 2.0 far-right extremists aided and abetted far-right extremists aided and abetted far-right extremists aided and abetted by the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court have dismantled the Voting Rights Act have dismantled the Voting Rights Act have dismantled the Voting Rights Act and are trying to take us and are trying to take us and are trying to take us backwards. backwards. backwards. So So So realistically, while it makes sense to realistically, while it makes sense to realistically, while it makes sense to question whether we even have question whether we even have question whether we even have a democracy right now in the United a democracy right now in the United a democracy right now in the United States, either way States, either way States, either way we still tend to focus more we still tend to focus more we still tend to focus more on democracy on democracy on democracy as a process as a process as a process and not enough on what and not enough on what and not enough on what democracy democracy democracy produces produces produces on democratic outcomes. on democratic outcomes. on democratic outcomes. We think and argue and talk a lot about We think and argue and talk a lot about We think and argue and talk a lot about who gets to be included in democracy who gets to be included in democracy who gets to be included in democracy but not enough about why. but not enough about why. but not enough about why. Why Why Why do we have a democracy in the first do we have a democracy in the first do we have a democracy in the first place?

place? place? Answering that question, defining the Answering that question, defining the Answering that question, defining the goal goal goal of democracy. of democracy. of democracy. That's That's That's democracy 3.0. Democracy 3.0 says Democracy 3.0 says that if all of us that if all of us that if all of us were truly created equal were truly created equal were truly created equal and if all of us and if all of us and if all of us truly get to participate equally. truly get to participate equally. truly get to participate equally. Then the outcomes of our democracy Then the outcomes of our democracy Then the outcomes of our democracy should be more equitable, too. Right? should be more equitable, too. Right? should be more equitable, too. Right? More widely shared and benefiting More widely shared and benefiting More widely shared and benefiting everyone. [applause] [applause] >> But Did you hear it coming? Did you hear it coming? Cuz there is a but. In the US today, your zip code predicts In the US today, your zip code predicts your life expectancy, your race predicts your life expectancy, your race predicts your life expectancy, your race predicts your wealth, and your parents' income your wealth, and your parents' income your wealth, and your parents' income predicts your future.

predicts your future. predicts your future. That ain't democratic. That ain't democratic. That ain't democratic. And it's getting worse. The top 1% of And it's getting worse. The top 1% of And it's getting worse. The top 1% of Americans control as much wealth as the Americans control as much wealth as the Americans control as much wealth as the entire entire entire bottom 90% of the country combined. bottom 90% of the country combined. bottom 90% of the country combined. And according to one source, CEOs And according to one source, CEOs And according to one source, CEOs now make 281 now make 281 now make 281 times more than average workers. times more than average workers. times more than average workers. 200 200 200 81 times more? 81 times more? 81 times more? What the hell is wrong with us? What the hell is wrong with us? What the hell is wrong with us? Are CEOs 281 Are CEOs 281 Are CEOs 281 times more talented? times more talented? times more talented? Are they 281 times more deserving? Are they 281 times more deserving? Are they 281 times more deserving? Are they 281 times harder working Are they 281 times harder working Are they 281 times harder working than the rest of us? than the rest of us? than the rest of us? Look, we can use the word democracy all Look, we can use the word democracy all Look, we can use the word democracy all we like, but let's be clear, we've we like, but let's be clear, we've we like, but let's be clear, we've really got really got really got more of an oligarchy more of an oligarchy more of an oligarchy or a kleptocracy.

or a kleptocracy. or a kleptocracy. Or maybe a monarchy where the kings are Or maybe a monarchy where the kings are Or maybe a monarchy where the kings are billionaires and reality TV stars or billionaires and reality TV stars or billionaires and reality TV stars or sometimes both. Democracy means Democracy means that the kids of house cleaners and that the kids of house cleaners and that the kids of house cleaners and mechanics mechanics mechanics have the same opportunities in life have the same opportunities in life have the same opportunities in life as the kids of lawyers and tech execs. as the kids of lawyers and tech execs. as the kids of lawyers and tech execs. Democracy means that if you work hard, Democracy means that if you work hard, Democracy means that if you work hard, you can feed your family and afford a you can feed your family and afford a you can feed your family and afford a place to live. Democracy means that place to live. Democracy means that place to live. Democracy means that power and profit are distributed power and profit are distributed power and profit are distributed democratically. That is democracy 3.0. this may be the part in the talk this may be the part in the talk where some of y'all getting a little bit where some of y'all getting a little bit where some of y'all getting a little bit nervous.

nervous. nervous. You hear economic democracy and you You hear economic democracy and you You hear economic democracy and you think it means enforced sameness. think it means enforced sameness. think it means enforced sameness. It does not. It does not. It does not. Democracy 3.0 doesn't mean everybody Democracy 3.0 doesn't mean everybody Democracy 3.0 doesn't mean everybody gets an equal house and an equal income gets an equal house and an equal income gets an equal house and an equal income and equal outcomes. Democracy 3.0 Democracy 3.0 simply means simply means simply means that everyone gets an equal chance that everyone gets an equal chance that everyone gets an equal chance at the American dream. Are you with me? at the American dream. Are you with me? at the American dream. Are you with me? >> [applause] >> Okay. >> Okay. So, how do we actually get to democracy So, how do we actually get to democracy So, how do we actually get to democracy 3.0? Well, the first thing is a shift in 3.0? Well, the first thing is a shift in 3.0? Well, the first thing is a shift in mindset to start seeing political mindset to start seeing political mindset to start seeing political democracy and economic democracy as democracy and economic democracy as democracy and economic democracy as mutually intertwined, which means mutually intertwined, which means mutually intertwined, which means we need to advance economic justice not we need to advance economic justice not we need to advance economic justice not only for basic fairness, only for basic fairness, only for basic fairness, right? But, because that's the way we right? But, because that's the way we right? But, because that's the way we strengthen democracy. And on a practical strengthen democracy. And on a practical strengthen democracy. And on a practical level, it means that yeah, to strengthen level, it means that yeah, to strengthen level, it means that yeah, to strengthen democracy, we need democracy, we need democracy, we need to restore and strengthen the Voting to restore and strengthen the Voting to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act, but also Rights Act, but also Rights Act, but also we need we need we need to raise wages. And we need to get money to raise wages. And we need to get money to raise wages. And we need to get money out of politics, and we need to tax out of politics, and we need to tax out of politics, and we need to tax WEALTH MORE FAIRLY.

WEALTH MORE FAIRLY. WEALTH MORE FAIRLY. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> AND AND AND democracy 3.0 means that just like democracy 3.0 means that just like democracy 3.0 means that just like voters should have equal voice and voters should have equal voice and voters should have equal voice and power, workers should have equal voice power, workers should have equal voice power, workers should have equal voice and power. And democracy at work means and power. And democracy at work means and power. And democracy at work means unions. unions. unions. >> [applause] >> In fact, >> In fact, the first wisp of democracy 3.0 WAS AT the first wisp of democracy 3.0 WAS AT the first wisp of democracy 3.0 WAS AT THE LAST turn of the century, the last THE LAST turn of the century, the last THE LAST turn of the century, the last time our country got fed up with extreme time our country got fed up with extreme time our country got fed up with extreme wealth and extreme poverty. wealth and extreme poverty. wealth and extreme poverty. That's why we created unions, which That's why we created unions, which That's why we created unions, which helped create the middle class. And then helped create the middle class. And then helped create the middle class. And then we created social safety net, things we created social safety net, things we created social safety net, things like social security and eventually like social security and eventually like social security and eventually Medicare. Taxing wealth to pay for Medicare. Taxing wealth to pay for Medicare. Taxing wealth to pay for programs that would prevent extreme programs that would prevent extreme programs that would prevent extreme poverty and suffering. We just need to poverty and suffering. We just need to poverty and suffering. We just need to do it again, plus do more. Things like do it again, plus do more. Things like do it again, plus do more. Things like universal health CARE FOR ALL.

universal health CARE FOR ALL. universal health CARE FOR ALL. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> AND >> AND >> AND more democratic ways of owning more democratic ways of owning more democratic ways of owning businesses like employee ownership. And businesses like employee ownership. And businesses like employee ownership. And we need to make sure that new we need to make sure that new we need to make sure that new technologies actually improve our lives technologies actually improve our lives technologies actually improve our lives instead of undermining them. instead of undermining them. instead of undermining them. >> [applause] the threat the threat to end our democracy to end our democracy to end our democracy also contains also contains also contains within it an invitation to make it within it an invitation to make it within it an invitation to make it better. But, our vision cannot be just better. But, our vision cannot be just better. But, our vision cannot be just to go back to the way things were a few to go back to the way things were a few to go back to the way things were a few elections ago. elections ago. elections ago. We have a moral and practical imperative We have a moral and practical imperative We have a moral and practical imperative to future-proof to future-proof to future-proof democracy by helping each other. democracy by helping each other. democracy by helping each other. By delivering By delivering By delivering real real real political voice and real political voice and real political voice and real economic power economic power economic power to we to we to we the people the people the people all of us.

all of us. all of us. Because if we don't Because if we don't Because if we don't if democracy doesn't deliver broad-based if democracy doesn't deliver broad-based if democracy doesn't deliver broad-based opportunity, people will eventually opportunity, people will eventually opportunity, people will eventually trade it for something they think will. trade it for something they think will. trade it for something they think will. And history shows us what happens next. And history shows us what happens next. And history shows us what happens next. It's not good for any of us. It's not good for any of us. It's not good for any of us. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Democracy contains within it the tools >> Democracy contains within it the tools >> Democracy contains within it the tools for its own demise for its own demise for its own demise but also its renewal. But, if we want a better country But, if we want a better country a fairer country a fairer country a fairer country we're going to have to fight for it. we're going to have to fight for it. we're going to have to fight for it. We, the people, demand that our politics and our economy work that our politics and our economy work way better way better way better for us for us for us and everyone around us because democracy and everyone around us because democracy and everyone around us because democracy can be more can be more can be more than something we do every couple of than something we do every couple of than something we do every couple of years in a voting booth. years in a voting booth. years in a voting booth. But, something we can eat. But, something we can eat. But, something we can eat. And something we can live in.

And something we can live in. And something we can live in. And something we can put in our pockets And something we can put in our pockets And something we can put in our pockets every single day. every single day. every single day. That is the only way That is the only way That is the only way we are going to save ourselves we are going to save ourselves we are going to save ourselves our country our country our country and the ideals we hold so dear. and the ideals we hold so dear. and the ideals we hold so dear. Democracy 1.0 Democracy 1.0 Democracy 1.0 gives life gives life gives life to a radical idea. to a radical idea. to a radical idea. Democracy 2.0 expands liberty Democracy 2.0 expands liberty Democracy 2.0 expands liberty to more and more of us. to more and more of us. to more and more of us. Democracy 3.0 Democracy 3.0 Democracy 3.0 can make the pursuit of happiness can make the pursuit of happiness can make the pursuit of happiness possible possible possible for for for all. all. all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause]