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 David argues that while voting is foundational to democracy, its design is outdated, especially in an era of digital communication and governance.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
We Need to Work at Making Democracy Work with Professor Nic Cheeseman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:14
Tocqueville said, “We need to work at making democracy work.” That is the springboard from which this episode begins. Kurtis Lockhart fills in for Mark Lutter as today’s host, and our guest is Professor Nic Cheeseman. Ni…
The Political Economy of Special Economic Zones with Lotta Moberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
Charter cities can be thought of as the next generation of special economic zones. Today’s guest is Lotta Moberg, a macroeconomic analyst at the Dynamic Allocations Strategies team at William Blair in Chicago. Lotta is c…
Creating Livable, Sustainable Cities with Yomi Ademola [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Africa is the fastest urbanizing region on the planet. The continent’s rapid population and economic growth demand large-scale solutions. As Africa’s new private city builder – backed by American, Norwegian, British and…
Building a New Hong Kong with Ivan Ko [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:02
As the political landscape in Hong Kong shifts, many residents are looking to migrate to Western countries. This creates immigration problems, especially as some Hong Kongers won’t meet the investment requirements needed…
Alain Bertaud on Cities: The Products of Spontaneous Order [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:03
For today’s episode, we discuss urban planning with Alain Bertaud, senior research scholar at NYU’s Marron Institute and the author of Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities. Our conversation covers many subtopic…
Gyude Moore on the Infrastructural Spine of the Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:15
For our first full episode of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark is joined by Gyude Moore to discuss his experiences in and the history of Liberia, and what this story can teach us about charter cities in Africa and emergi…