“…democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” – Winston Churchill
Is democracy new or old? Does it deserve the reverence that modern Western society has ascribed to it? How did we get to where it is the form of government par excellence?
In this evening’s program led by Professor of Political Science Stephen Forrest, we’ll look at the evolution of the modern concept of democracy. We’ll explore how a bunch of borderline outlaws in three different countries addressed the fundamental stumbling blocks that held back the ancient world from embracing democracy as a form of government.
In doing so, we’ll trace the strands of democracy from early modern times to the present, including how different groups approached practical matters. We will trace their solutions to the present day and see how those solutions continue to shape the discourse of the modern world. We’ll reflect on the current challenges to “democracy.” We’ll also address how members of the community can put theory into practice and keep democracy healthy.
