Is American democracy in danger? How US politics turned tribal and what it means for the future
The American republic teeters on the edge of authoritarianism. One party (and there are only two) embraces nativism, flirts with white supremacy, blinks away mass killings, won’t accept the results of the last election, and is frenetically changing the election rules to ensure it does not lose again. But here’s the unexpected twist: almost none of this is new. Coups, racial violence nativist lynching changing the rules, stealing elections and dragging God into politics are all longstanding themes in US politics.

James Morone puts the current state of US politics into historical perspective and shows what’s new and what is not. He explains how old patterns have taken on new forms, suggests what other nations might learn from American agonies, and reflects on the prospects for democracy in the years ahead.
Date: 24 May 2022, 17:00 (Tuesday, 5th week, Trinity 2022)
Venue: Blavatnik School of Government, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter OX2 6GG
Venue Details: Blavatnik School of Government and Zoom
Speaker: Professor James Morone (Brown University)
Organiser contact email address: events@bsg.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/events/american-democracy-danger-how-us-politics-turned-tribal-and-what-it-means-future
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editor: Freya Paulucci Couldrick