The "Expert Class" Problem

In this conversation, political scientist Lindsey Cormack discusses why America’s civic knowledge crisis may be deeper than most people realize. From students not understanding basic government concepts like federalism, primaries, or even the three branches of government, to broader concerns about self-governance, voter participation, and the growing disconnect between citizens and civic responsibility, the discussion explores what happens when people stop understanding how their own system works. The interview also dives into ranked choice voting, approval voting, local government involvement, the “American experiment,” and why raising informed, engaged citizens may no longer be something schools can handle alone.