Building a Better Democracy: Lessons from the Current Political Climate with Kaivan Shroff

Building a better democracy doesn’t start with a perfect candidate. It starts with durable rules, real organizing, and communities that show up—especially when it’s inconvenient.

In this episode of Perfect Union Pending, host Taylor Darcy sits down with Kaivan Shroff—a political strategist, commentator, and diaspora organizer—to talk about what the current political climate is teaching us about democratic power, civic trust, and long-term structural change. 

Kaivan names major risks on the horizon—from redistricting fights to the possibility of the Supreme Court further weakening what remains of the Voting Rights Act—and what those changes could mean for representation and power across the country. 

From there, the conversation widens:
• Why “messaging” has to lead to real power-building (not just content) • What long-term organizing infrastructure looks like (and why it’s harder to fund) 
• Why we can’t just “rebuild the last election” and call it a strategy
• What “future politics” could look like—especially on issues like AI and jobs.

Kaivan also offers three concrete actions anyone can take right now to strengthen democracy:
1. Get registered and vote
2. Show up in person in your community
3. Pick an issue and advocate for it in real life (not just online) 

Join the conversation: What’s one democratic norm (or civic right) you think we’re taking for granted right now?

👍 If this helped you think more clearly (or more usefully) about the moment we’re in: like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s tired of doomscrolling and ready to build.

Chapters

0:00 Perfect Union Pending intro
1:19 The biggest democratic risk: 2026 maps + Voting Rights Act
2:38 Are Democrats “meeting the moment”? No saviors, build a bench
5:12 The shutdown: what people notice (and what they don’t)
9:09 Messaging vs organizing: the influencer echo chamber problem
12:17 Manosphere + independent media: don’t fight the last war
17:43 Future-facing politics: AI, jobs, and “who owns the future”
19:03 Three actions to strengthen democracy right now
22:11 Short-term wins vs long-term democratic health
25:31 Courts, constitutional “originalism,” and legitimacy
27:25 The filibuster: use power when you have it?
30:03 Democracy “stress tests” and building new civic engagement
32:04 No Kings protests: why showing up still matters 
37:28 What gives hope: next-gen leaders + movement builders 
43:40 Final takeaway + resources mentioned

🧠 FREE RESOURCES & GUIDES:
Stop Falling for Fake News (Free Guide): Learn to spot misinformation and think like a fact-checker → https://go.wedissentmedia.com/fact-ch...

🤝 SUPPORT & JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:
Become a Member: Support We Dissent Media and access exclusive perks → https://go.wedissentmedia.com/patreon

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @wedissentmedia
TikTok: @wedissentmedia
Substack: https://go.wedissentmedia.com/substack
Podcast: https://podcast.wedissentmedia.com/
Website: https://wedissentmedia.com

ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
We Dissent Media is dedicated to bold, truthful, nonpartisan civic storytelling and commentary. Across shows like Daily Dissent, Perfect Union Pending, and We the Unheard, we break down complex news, legal battles, and policy debates in plain English.

Every episode is designed to help you:
• Cut through bad-faith framing
• Understand how law, power, and media shape your daily life
• Take informed, hopeful civic action in your community

We cover topics such as voting rights, Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions, protest and First Amendment freedoms, disinformation and media literacy, and the stories of people most affected by these systems — not just those in power.

Our mission is simple: Truth. Power. People

DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this content creates an attorney–client relationship. Views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any organization, employer, or platform.

#CivicEducation #MediaLiteracy #KnowYourRights #WeDissentMedia #SCOTUS #Constitution #Disinformation #Democracy