Virtual program on YouTube live, 7 p.m.
(Rescheduled from 4/23/20)
Overdoing Democracy: The Problem of Polarization
Robert Talisse
Vanderbilt University
Democracy is such an important social good that it is natural to think that more is always better. However, current findings regarding polarization suggest that it is nonetheless possible for citizens to overdo democracy. In overdoing democracy, we erode the capacities we need to perform well as democratic citizens.
The program is sponsored by the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues and co-sponsored by the departments of philosophy and religion. It is part of the Clarke Forum’s semester theme, Civic Engagement and the Liberal Arts.
Topic overview written by Gabriella Farrell ’21
Biography (provided by the speaker)
(Joe Howell/Vanderbilt University)
Robert B. Talisse is the W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. An internationally recognized theorist of democracy, Talisse has lectured throughout the world about democracy, moral disagreement, political polarization, and the ethics of citizenship. Overdoing Democracy: Why We Must Put Politics in its Place is his tenth book.
Related Links
- TEDx Talk: “Putting Politics in its Place”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVhiFTUbJno
- “Partisan Divide Creates Different Americas”: http://theconversation.com/partisan-divide-creates-different-americas-separate-lives-122925
- “Why More Democracy Isn’t Better Democracy”: https://blog.oup.com/2019/09/why-more-democracy-isnt-better-democracy/
Video of the Presentation