The Inclusion of Muslim Minorities

Become a Patron! The Struggle for Inclusion A recent story in The New York Times described the emigration of Muslims from France into the United Kingdom and the United States. It described people who identified both as Muslim and as French, but did not feel welcome in their home country. The story quotes a French... Continue Reading →

The Wisconsin Idea Podcast #40

Chad Alan Goldberg explains how the Wisconsin Idea led to the progressive reforms of the early 20th Century and how its renewal can revitalize democracy once again. We discuss his recent book Education for Democracy: Renewing the Wisconsin Idea.   They had an obligation to take the knowledge that they were developing, to take their expertise... Continue Reading →

Placemaking in 21st Century America Podcast #38

Ryan Salzman joins the Democracy Paradox to discuss how placemaking shapes communities. His recent book Pop-Up Civics in 21st Century America explains how associational relationships have changed over the last twenty years through the creation of temporary institutions and activities. Ryan follows in the footsteps of Robert Putnam and Alexis de Tocqueville to explain how informal associations... Continue Reading →

Alexis De Tocqueville – Democracy in America

Alexis de Tocqueville saw democracy as a dynamic political system. While it required specific cultural requirements for the people, it imposed many of those requirements onto the people. It gradually became self-sustaining whereas the monarchies of the Ancien Régime established conditions unfavorable for a sustainable democratic culture. Tocqueville did not believe democracy was limited to... Continue Reading →

Robert Putnam – Bowling Alone

The line between the political and the nonpolitical within a democracy is never clear. Alexis de Tocqueville noticed how politics became a common part of life for the average person. Civic engagement shifts from the activities of an organization into the demands of the community without any interruption. Robert Putnam follows a long tradition of... Continue Reading →

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