Writing on the collapse of civil discourse, the problems posed by modern secularism, as well the failures of American elites and the rise of populism, Christopher Lasch's diagnosis of the decline of American democracy remains as provocative and relevant as it was when The Revolt of the Elites was published in 1995. In these two sessions, we shall examine what Lasch regarded as the challenges facing American democracy and his hopes for how it could be revitalised in the 21st century, in spite of the failures of the American left and right.

This is the first of two seminars that Dr. Nathan Pinkoski (Toronto) will lead on this topic. The second seminar will take place one week later, on February 26, at the same time. RSVP below for both sessions.

Reading

Introduction: The Democratic Malaise

Does Democracy Deserve to Survive?