7 notes on the ideal of a free, intelligent and consequential public life How in the world can a centrist be radical? 1. From a critical point of view, “the center” is the ground of the wishy washy: too attached to the ways things are to commit to the radical change of the left, not sufficiently informed by the wisdom of customs and traditional values to fully embrace …
What would an open democracy based on different forms of non-electoral yet democratic representation look like? The following essay was presented as part of the day-long conference “Democracy in Trouble?” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. As the post-Cold War democratic order is straining under the dual threat of authoritarian and exclusionary movements on the national level and transnational oligarchic networks, the …
But let’s look for better alternatives The following essay were presented as part of the day-long conference “Democracy in Trouble?” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. As the post-Cold War democratic order is straining under the dual threat of authoritarian and exclusionary movements on the national level and transnational oligarchic networks, the goal of the conference was to take account of the …
Where could this increased demand for new non-corrupt ruling elites on the part of voters, who care primarily for their self-interest rather than abstract principles, take us? The following essay were presented as part of the day-long conference “Democracy in Trouble?” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. As the post-Cold War democratic order is straining under the dual threat of authoritarian and …
The age of the strongman The following essay were presented as part of the day-long conference “Democracy in Trouble?” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. As the post-Cold War democratic order is straining under the dual threat of authoritarian and exclusionary movements on the national level and transnational oligarchic networks, the goal of the conference was to take account of the different …
An Illiberal Democratic Response to Undemocratic Liberalism The following essay were presented as part of the day-long conference “Democracy in Trouble?” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. As the post-Cold War democratic order is straining under the dual threat of authoritarian and exclusionary movements on the national level and transnational oligarchic networks, the goal of the conference was to take account of …
Hungary in 2018 Issue #88 of the conservative journal Századvég (End of Century) was already been posted on the website of the journal, but at the order of the government-friendly foundation which finances the journal, it was removed from the website of the journal, and if hard copies were already printed they were ordered destroyed. The editor (Tamás Demeter, a distinguished and conservative philosopher) and his editorial group were fired. …
Living in post – truth, seeking alternatives, examining Nicolae Ceausescu and Donald Trump At critical moments, the powerful become powerless. It becomes clear that the emperor does indeed have no cloths. The crowd hesitates, and turns against the leader. One moment they are exclaiming support, and the next, they turn on him. The combination of fear and interest that supports dictatorship melts away. Supporters join “the resistance,” in …
In Poland and beyond In opposition to the threat to democracy in Poland today, Lech Walesa is calling for a united front against the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), reviving a citizens committee he led 30 years ago in the democratic struggle against Communist dictatorship. Here the second of two pieces considers the broader significance of the formation of the new committee – Jeffrey C. Goldfarb, Public …
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Bodily Autonomy What does it mean to live in a democracy if part of your body is out of your control and subject to surveillance and policies that run against everything you believe in? This is the question every single person born with a uterus must ask themselves between now and July 9th, when Donald Trump plans to announce his nominee for …
