Democracy in Our America

Democracy in Our America by Paul W. Kahn is an insightful examination by one of America’s most distinguished political theorists on what happens when national politics enters a small New England town.

After the election of 2016, many citizens began questioning the economic and cultural divisions causing deep disruptions in American politics, asking, “What is happening to us?” Paul W. Kahn delves into these fundamental changes as they manifest in his home of twenty-five years, Killingworth, Connecticut.

His inquiry offers a democratic theory that places volunteering at its core, rather than voting. In the absence of active participation, citizens can lose the capacity for judgement that arises from collaborating with others to tackle real issues. However, volunteering is currently under existential threat.

Changes in civil society, commerce, employment, and public opinion formation have contributed to the isolation of families from one another and from their communities. Even middle-class families experience financial strain, remain uncertain about their children’s futures, and lack the support once provided by civil society. The disappearance of local media has further compounded the issue. Residents often lack the time, information, or interest needed to engage in volunteering.

Under these circumstances, national polarization infiltrates local politics, turning it into yet another battleground for national conflict. To safeguard our democracy, Kahn concludes that we must discover ways to align opportunities for participation with the ways we live today.