When Institutions Fail: Political Justice, Wealth Inequality & Why Both Parties Are Broken Ft. Ben Davies | Purple Political Breakdown
Update: 2025-09-09
Description
What happens when we take justice into our own hands? Author Ben C. Davies joins Purple Political Breakdown to explore the complex reality of systemic injustice and individual response.
In this thought-provoking guest episode, we dive deep into the intersection of politics, justice, and human nature with Ben C. Davies, UK-born author of "And So I Took Their Eye" - a debut collection that examines how people seek justice when institutions fail them. Drawing from his experiences living in Guatemala, the UK, and the United States, Davies offers a nuanced perspective that transcends traditional political boundaries.
Key Discussion Points:
Why both major political parties - Democrats and Republicans, Labour and Conservative - are failing citizens
How wealth inequality and institutional breakdown drive people to seek personal justice
The difference between community-based support systems (Scandinavian model) vs. American individualism
Real-world examples from Guatemala's "eye for an eye" culture and how it manifests globally
The role of empathy and storytelling in bridging political divides
Why current immigration rhetoric and foreign aid cuts reveal our disconnect from human consequences
Davies, who teaches at California College of the Arts and co-runs a Guatemalan writing residency, brings unique insights from someone who's witnessed political systems across multiple continents. His book critiques both left-wing and right-wing institutions while exploring what drives ordinary people to take matters into their own hands when systems fail.
This episode aligns perfectly with Purple Political Breakdown's mission - examining where our institutions are failing people without partisan agenda, focusing on the human cost of political polarization and the search for authentic solutions beyond traditional party lines.
Perfect for listeners interested in political philosophy, social justice, international perspectives on American politics, and the psychological roots of political behavior.
Keywords & SEO Tags
Primary Keywords: political justice, institutional failure, wealth inequality, political polarization, bipartisan critique, social systems, political philosophy, international politics perspective
Secondary Keywords: Guatemala politics, immigration policy consequences, Scandinavian socialism, American individualism, foreign aid impact, political empathy, systemic injustice, cross-cultural politics
Author/Book Keywords: Ben C Davies, And So I Took Their Eye, political fiction, California College Arts, Guatemala writing residency, UK author, political storytelling
Topic-Specific Keywords: eye for an eye justice, community support systems, tax policy discussion, political institutions critique, human rights advocacy, cultural political differences
IG: @bendaviesauthor
www.bendaviesauthor.com
Standard Resource Links & Recommendations
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Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/
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Future is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse FutureisFutureis. Link: https://futureis.org/
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