How to Defeat Oligarchy | Camila Vergara & Clara Mattei

Why does democracy feel powerless against billionaires, war, and corruption? We all feel it: democracy doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. The wealth of the few grows, while the majority struggles to survive. Wars rage, children starve, and our voices barely register. In this first FREE Forum event, political theorist Camila Vergara and economist Clara Mattei expose how oligarchy isn’t an accident, it’s built into the rules of our system. From famine in Gaza to the concentration of wealth in the U.S., they show why oligarchy thrives, and how democracy from below can defeat it. This conversation is about reclaiming power from the few, and building people-led alternatives from the ground up. 👉This isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about power: who has it, how they keep it, and how we take it back. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations on democracy, justice, and economic emancipation:    / @freefreeforum   📌 Watch, share, and join the FREE Forum: https://freefreeforum.org 🌱 Support FREE & Help Us Grow: https://freefreeforum.betterworld.org... #Oligarchy #Democracy #ClaraMattei #CamilaVergara #FREEForum #SystemicCorruption #peoplepower PODCAST LINKS: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5m5xbrP... SOCIAL LINKS: Substack: https://substack.com/@freefreeforum X: https://x.com/freefreeforum Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freefreeforu... Instagram:   / freefreeforum   TikTok:   / freefreeforum   Facebook:   / freefreeforum   00:00:00 - Introduction and Camila Vergara's Background 00:01:30 - Discussion on Oligarchy and Wealth Inequality 00:03:04 - Introduction to Systemic Corruption 00:03:25 - Camila's Perspective on Systemic Corruption 00:08:45 - The Role of Militarism in Oligarchy 00:11:13 - Reflections on Militarism and Systemic Corruption 00:14:11 - Impact of Legalized Corruption 00:14:48 - Example of Legalized Corruption in Arms Sales 00:15:12 - Discussion on War and Economic Growth 00:15:49 - Historical Perspective on War and Economy 00:16:27 - The Role of Militarization in Economic Growth 00:16:46 - Connection Between Militarization and State-Guaranteed Profits 00:17:19 - Introduction to Upcoming Event Topics 00:17:59 - Discussion on Systemic Corruption and its Progression 00:18:09 - Concept of Systemic Corruption from Ancient Perspectives 00:19:31 - Systemic Corruption and Neoliberalism 00:20:46 - The Power of the People Against Oligarchy 00:22:00 - Building Popular Power from the Ground Up 00:22:49 - Empowerment at the Local Level 00:24:52 - Energy Communities and Their Potential 00:27:06 - The Role of Academia in Society 00:29:00 - The Co-Creation of an Agenda 00:30:25 - The Impact of Oligarchy on Local Communities 00:30:59 - The Importance of Community Building 00:31:17 - The Concept of Market Dependence and Self-Sufficiency 00:31:35 - The Role of Working Groups in Community Empowerment 00:33:23 - The Power of Collective Action 00:34:24 - The Importance of Respect for Indigenous Governance 00:35:20 - The Potential of Economic Integration in Communities 00:36:21 - The Role of Experimentation in Community Building 00:37:07 - Lessons from the Neighborhood Council Movement in Chile 00:41:52 - The Power of Collective Constitutional Drafting 00:43:33 - The Importance of Emotion and Spirituality in Political Movements 00:45:30 - The Role of Art and Conversation in Community Empowerment