Why can't the United States build a rapid transit system like China's? Is a firmer hand needed to guide the European Union through the financial crisis? Does California's direct democracy system need more limits? These were among the questions global political thinkers tackled in a conversation about whether democracy is too slow for the 21st century. Harvard professor Ezra Vogel, European Union watcher and civic participation expert Janice Thomson, and attorney and activist Christine Pelosi explore whether democracy can catch up with the world, or whether it's doomed to lag behind. (#24565)