In an age marked by democratic fatigue, distrust in institutions, and the rise of competing populisms, political theorist Camila Vergara argues that democracy can only be renewed by giving ordinary citizens a direct and lasting role in political power. In this interview, she reflects on her idea of “plebeian constitutionalism,” a model that seeks to move beyond elite-driven politics by creating institutional spaces for collective participation, civic engagement, and bottom-up democratic control.