Peter MacLeod
@petermacleod.bsky.social
Principal, MASS LBP | Helping people shape the policies that shape their lives | Citizens’ Assemblies + Democratic Innovation | Co-author, DEMOCRACY’S SECOND ACT: WHY POLITICS NEEDS THE PUBLIC
Pinned
Peter MacLeod
@petermacleod.bsky.social
· Nov 24
On February 10, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics needs the Public is being published. Order a copy today from your local bookseller, or internationally on Amazon. www.democracyssecondact.org
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
NEW: Read this terrific piece @virginiaheffernan.bsky.social for @thenerve.news in which she unpicks Edge.org, the hugely influential 'salon' funded by Epstein & threaded through with race science & eugenics.
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www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
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www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
The billionaires' eugenics project: how Epstein infiltrated Harvard, muzzled the humanities and preached master-race science
Edge - Jeffrey Epstein's favourite intellectual salon - was sold to me as a gathering of the world's finest minds, writes Virginia Heffernan. The files reveal it was something far darker: a decades-lo...
www.thenerve.news
February 15, 2026 at 11:18 AM
NEW: Read this terrific piece @virginiaheffernan.bsky.social for @thenerve.news in which she unpicks Edge.org, the hugely influential 'salon' funded by Epstein & threaded through with race science & eugenics.
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Congratulations to @petermacleod.bsky.social and Richard Johnson on the release of their excellent new book, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics Need the Public. A timely and elegant must-read for anyone interested in democratic reform. We just received our copies. Order yours!
February 13, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Congratulations to @petermacleod.bsky.social and Richard Johnson on the release of their excellent new book, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics Need the Public. A timely and elegant must-read for anyone interested in democratic reform. We just received our copies. Order yours!
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety,” Emily Galvin Almanza writes. “And it doesn’t have to be costly — in fact, it can come out just about even.”
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety,” Emily Galvin Almanza writes. “And it doesn’t have to be costly — in fact, it can come out just about even.”
Opinion | Something Surprising Happens When Bus Rides Are Free
It starts at the curb. It extends far beyond that.
nyti.ms
February 13, 2026 at 10:40 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety,” Emily Galvin Almanza writes. “And it doesn’t have to be costly — in fact, it can come out just about even.”
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety,” Emily Galvin Almanza writes. “And it doesn’t have to be costly — in fact, it can come out just about even.”
From last night’s DSA launch in Ottawa with the terrific @jchianello.bsky.social
Democracyssecondact.org
Democracyssecondact.org
February 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
From last night’s DSA launch in Ottawa with the terrific @jchianello.bsky.social
Democracyssecondact.org
Democracyssecondact.org
The Two Solitudes
February 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The Two Solitudes
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
“Populism, resentment, authoritarian nostalgia: these are not fringe forces. They flourish wherever people feel ignored, humiliated, or locked out. The answer is not more insulation or control. It’s to build a democratic culture capacious enough to include everyone.” - Democracy’s Second Act
An excerpt from our new book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public… now in bookstores.
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
Politics Has Grown Too Big for Politicians Alone | The Walrus
Democracy cannot survive if it sees the public as a threat, not a partner
thewalrus.ca
February 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
“Populism, resentment, authoritarian nostalgia: these are not fringe forces. They flourish wherever people feel ignored, humiliated, or locked out. The answer is not more insulation or control. It’s to build a democratic culture capacious enough to include everyone.” - Democracy’s Second Act
An excerpt from our new book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public… now in bookstores.
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
Politics Has Grown Too Big for Politicians Alone | The Walrus
Democracy cannot survive if it sees the public as a threat, not a partner
thewalrus.ca
February 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM
An excerpt from our new book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public… now in bookstores.
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
thewalrus.ca/politics-has...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Democracy isn’t broken. It’s stuck.
Democracy’s Second Act explores how a new era of democracy can harness the power of the people—because the future depends on real citizens who have real responsibility.
Read more: bit.ly/4tgmpuX
@petermacleod.bsky.social @richard-tk.bsky.social
#Democracy
Democracy’s Second Act explores how a new era of democracy can harness the power of the people—because the future depends on real citizens who have real responsibility.
Read more: bit.ly/4tgmpuX
@petermacleod.bsky.social @richard-tk.bsky.social
#Democracy
February 9, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Democracy isn’t broken. It’s stuck.
Democracy’s Second Act explores how a new era of democracy can harness the power of the people—because the future depends on real citizens who have real responsibility.
Read more: bit.ly/4tgmpuX
@petermacleod.bsky.social @richard-tk.bsky.social
#Democracy
Democracy’s Second Act explores how a new era of democracy can harness the power of the people—because the future depends on real citizens who have real responsibility.
Read more: bit.ly/4tgmpuX
@petermacleod.bsky.social @richard-tk.bsky.social
#Democracy
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
Countries around the world are turning to open-sourced or domestic options, but Canada still relies on U.S. tech for critical communication software
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:06 AM
France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Great politics should look like a party you want to join
February 9, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Great politics should look like a party you want to join
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
🔥HOT OFF THE PRESS: Why the energy transition is disruptive, non-linear, hard to predict and often faster than expected.
Our paper in Nature Reviews Clean Technology shows how feedback loops create virtuous and vicious cycles that can accelerate or block change. 🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Our paper in Nature Reviews Clean Technology shows how feedback loops create virtuous and vicious cycles that can accelerate or block change. 🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
February 7, 2026 at 9:01 AM
🔥HOT OFF THE PRESS: Why the energy transition is disruptive, non-linear, hard to predict and often faster than expected.
Our paper in Nature Reviews Clean Technology shows how feedback loops create virtuous and vicious cycles that can accelerate or block change. 🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Our paper in Nature Reviews Clean Technology shows how feedback loops create virtuous and vicious cycles that can accelerate or block change. 🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
What happens after the collapse of political parties?
“Today, the Western party looks more like a street hawker, desperately seeking customers. “
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
“Today, the Western party looks more like a street hawker, desperately seeking customers. “
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
Opinion | They Used to Rule the West. Now They’re Dying.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 PM
What happens after the collapse of political parties?
“Today, the Western party looks more like a street hawker, desperately seeking customers. “
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
“Today, the Western party looks more like a street hawker, desperately seeking customers. “
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
‘Now We Have a Voice’: Indigenous Architects Redesign Canada www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/r...
‘Now We Have a Voice’: Indigenous Architects Redesign Canada
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:49 PM
‘Now We Have a Voice’: Indigenous Architects Redesign Canada www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/r...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Epstein has, from beyond the grave, exposed the make-it-up-as-you-go-along nature of the monarchy and the House of Lords www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/con...
Jeffrey Epstein has exposed the rotten state of the UK’s constitution
The late sex offender had a ruthless capacity for exploiting grifters
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Epstein has, from beyond the grave, exposed the make-it-up-as-you-go-along nature of the monarchy and the House of Lords www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/con...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“We must be willing to say that the hedge fund managers have no clothes and their parading about is an unpleasant sight for us all,” Oren Cass writes. “Your daughter has taken a job at Blackstone? My condolences.”
“We must be willing to say that the hedge fund managers have no clothes and their parading about is an unpleasant sight for us all,” Oren Cass writes. “Your daughter has taken a job at Blackstone? My condolences.”
Opinion | The Finance Industry Is a Grift. Let’s Start Treating It That Way.
Regulating the industry is useful. Shaming it is crucial.
nyti.ms
February 7, 2026 at 4:40 AM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“We must be willing to say that the hedge fund managers have no clothes and their parading about is an unpleasant sight for us all,” Oren Cass writes. “Your daughter has taken a job at Blackstone? My condolences.”
“We must be willing to say that the hedge fund managers have no clothes and their parading about is an unpleasant sight for us all,” Oren Cass writes. “Your daughter has taken a job at Blackstone? My condolences.”
Great to talk to @davidmoscrop.com about our new book and why democracy‘s future can be bright — if governments stop treating people like a risk instead of a resource.
open.substack.com/pub/davidmos...
open.substack.com/pub/davidmos...
Is It Time For Democracy's Second Act?
A new book puts the public in the spotlight and offers hope for our shared future, at last.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Great to talk to @davidmoscrop.com about our new book and why democracy‘s future can be bright — if governments stop treating people like a risk instead of a resource.
open.substack.com/pub/davidmos...
open.substack.com/pub/davidmos...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
👉 We’re officially more than halfway through the NG Citizens’ Assembly & the journey is continuing.
🗓️ In late Jan, Members met at the National Gallery for Session 3, reconnecting w/the collection, learning from staff & community groups, & beginning to shape principles for the Gallery’s future.
🧵👇
🗓️ In late Jan, Members met at the National Gallery for Session 3, reconnecting w/the collection, learning from staff & community groups, & beginning to shape principles for the Gallery’s future.
🧵👇
February 6, 2026 at 11:30 AM
👉 We’re officially more than halfway through the NG Citizens’ Assembly & the journey is continuing.
🗓️ In late Jan, Members met at the National Gallery for Session 3, reconnecting w/the collection, learning from staff & community groups, & beginning to shape principles for the Gallery’s future.
🧵👇
🗓️ In late Jan, Members met at the National Gallery for Session 3, reconnecting w/the collection, learning from staff & community groups, & beginning to shape principles for the Gallery’s future.
🧵👇
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Foreign affairs minister to open consulate in Greenland today nationalnewswatch.com/2026/02/06/f...
Foreign affairs minister to open consulate in Greenland today
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Foreign affairs minister to open consulate in Greenland today nationalnewswatch.com/2026/02/06/f...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced
Canadian Province New Brunswick to Quit Using Elon Musk’s X
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced Thursday.
bloom.bg
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Citizens‘' assemblies continue to boom: in 2025, 58 mini-publics were launched or completed in Germany, and planning began for 32 more. To date, there have been a total of over 400 citizens' assemblies in Germany..
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/2025...
#CitizensAssembly
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/2025...
#CitizensAssembly
February 4, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Citizens‘' assemblies continue to boom: in 2025, 58 mini-publics were launched or completed in Germany, and planning began for 32 more. To date, there have been a total of over 400 citizens' assemblies in Germany..
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/2025...
#CitizensAssembly
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/2025...
#CitizensAssembly
In good company at Munro’s Books, Victoria, BC
February 5, 2026 at 9:25 PM
In good company at Munro’s Books, Victoria, BC
The first — and very generous — review of our new book, Democracy’s Second Act, is out from Hugh Pope.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/carney...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/carney...
The Carney Trap: can more of the same really save democracy?
When the news searchlight lit upon Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney last month as the saviour of democracies from US President Donald Trump and right-wing authoritarianism around the world, did it ...
www.linkedin.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The first — and very generous — review of our new book, Democracy’s Second Act, is out from Hugh Pope.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/carney...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/carney...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
In honour of the FT and Statista declaring Deloitte and PwC the top consultancies for sustainability services, worth re-upping @rosiecollington.bsky.social's and my piece on the rise of climate consulting:
New development: Climate consulting and the transformation of climate governance
External consultancies’ involvement in climate governance has grown substantially in recent years. Public sector managers encounter them in government tasks from policy research and design to clima...
www.tandfonline.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:20 AM
In honour of the FT and Statista declaring Deloitte and PwC the top consultancies for sustainability services, worth re-upping @rosiecollington.bsky.social's and my piece on the rise of climate consulting: