Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 6: David Ernst

Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 6: David Ernst

Author: Mark Lutter May 23, 2025 Duration: 18:09

In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, we speak with David Ernst, founder of Secure Internet Voting, about the urgent need for innovation in democratic systems. David argues that while voting is foundational to democracy, its design is outdated, especially in an era of digital communication and governance. We explore what it would take to make online voting secure, transparent, and legitimate, and why he believes charter cities can be critical testing grounds for political innovation. From trust-building in new cities to redefining digital citizenship, this conversation is a thought-provoking deep dive into the future of governance.


Imagine a new city, built from the ground up with a unique set of rules designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and a better quality of life. This isn't just a thought experiment; it's the concept of a charter city, and it's the central focus of the Charter Cities Podcast. Hosted by Mark Lutter, these conversations dig into the practical and philosophical questions surrounding these ambitious urban projects. How might they address pressing global issues like rapid urbanization, entrenched poverty, and the complex dynamics of migration? To find answers, Lutter sits down with a diverse array of thinkers and practitioners. You'll hear from specialists in international development, urban planners, investors, entrepreneurs, and governance experts, each bringing a crucial piece of the puzzle. The discussions are grounded and detailed, moving beyond theory to examine the real-world mechanics of financing, building, and governing new cities. This podcast doesn't offer simple solutions, but rather provides a nuanced exploration of a bold idea for human organization. It's for anyone curious about the future of cities, the intersection of policy and innovation, or the structures that shape our collective lives. Through these in-depth interviews, the Charter Cities Podcast builds a comprehensive understanding of a concept that could redefine how communities are built in the coming century.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 92

Charter Cities Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Exploring Solutions to the Development Problem with Efosa Ojomo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
Development is one of the major challenges of our time. Unfortunately, it’s often approached in a way that does more harm than good. Efosa Ojomo has a better solution, and he’s here today to share it. Efosa is the leader…
Lessons on Economic Growth for the Future with Dr. Jared Rubin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
Dr. Jared Rubin is the co-author of How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth, which he wrote with Mark Koyama, a previous guest on the podcast. We are so happy to welcome Jared to the show tod…
The Real Story of China in Africa with Deborah Brautigam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:58
China’s presence in Africa is widely speculated upon (and wildly misunderstood). Joining us today to speak to the truth of the matter is Sinologist-Africanist Professor of International Development at Johns Hopkins Unive…
Linda Colley on War and Constitutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:00
Dr. Linda Colley is a leading expert on British imperial and global history, among other topics in British history. Dr. Colley is the M.C. Davis 1958 Professor of History at Princeton University, here today to discuss he…
Charter Cities Atlas: Venice with Thibault Serlet and Corey Tazzara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:21:33
Today’s episode is a bonus episode, where we take a deep dive into the Italian Renaissance (with a focus on Venice) with world-renowned expert, Professor Corey Tazzara. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the formation…
Tackling Poverty and Preventing War with Chris Blattman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:32
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has dominated headlines over the past few months, with countless theories and hypotheses being touted to explain Russia’s aggression. Join us as we talk to one of the world’s leading experts o…
Building Up and Not Out with Heba Elhanafy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:06
Across the global south, cities are growing outwards instead of upwards. Talking to us today about why this is a bad thing for commuters, is urban planning researcher Heba Elhanafy. We dive into the episode with an overv…
The New Urban Aesthetic with Dr. Samuel Hughes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:10
In January 2020, the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission published ‘Living with beauty’, a report that has led to a new national design guide and model design code with changes to the national policy. The poli…