CBC Asks: Is politics broken? The 'Team Yes' argument

We all know that politics is a messy business, but is it due for a massive overhaul?

In the lead-up to the 2015 federal election, three public policy thinkers sayyes.

On March 25, CBC News conveneda live debate on the question: "Is Politics Broken?"

Representing Team Yes,arguing that the current political process is no longer the most effective way to enact real change, were political columnist Andrew Coyne;AlisonLoat,executive director of Samara Canada;and community organizer and speaker Dave Meslin.

The Yespanelistslaid out some of their reasons in writing before Wednesday's live debate, which was moderated by CBC Chief Correspondent PeterMansbridge.

• Read Alison Loat's argument
• Read Dave Meslin'sargument

Loat, who teaches at the University of Toronto's School of Public Policy and Governance, believes "the political process now repels more citizens than it attracts."

The non-partisan charity she co-founded, Samara, releases its Democracy 360 report card on March 25, and calls for a cultural shift towards "everyday democracy."

'Idealistic and inspired youth'

Meslin, whose TED talk,The Antidote to Apathy,has been viewed over 1.4 million times online, believes the Occupy movement was a telling example of where today's youth believe "real power" lies.

"Rather than targeting government as an effective path toward change, these idealistic and inspired youth descended on the financial district of New York City,"Meslinwrites, calling it a "sad reflection on our current political state."