Can We Save American Democracy?

In a recent article, Steven Levitsky, Professor of Government at Harvard University and co-author of How Democracies Die, predicts that “U.S. democracy will likely break down during the second Trump administration, in the sense that it will cease to meet standard criteria for liberal democracy: full adult suffrage, free and fair elections, and broad protection of civil liberties.” In this online event, two leaders of national pro-democracy organizations will explain what they are doing to prove him wrong. Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO of Common Cause, will join Levitsky in a discussion about what the strategies of pro-democracy movements are in this moment, whether they will be enough, and what else can be done. Archon Fung, Director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, will moderate.

Speakers include:

• Steven Levitsky, David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government and Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University
• Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO of Common Cause
• Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
• Archon Fung (Moderator), Director, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation; Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government, Harvard Kennedy School

About the Series

This event is part of the Ash Center’s “Understanding Disruption” event series. These conversations will focus on domains — such as higher education, media, and civil society — to gain insight into the character of these disruptions, what the disruptors are hoping to achieve, what opponents are concerned about, and what the consequences of these disruptions will be.

Event Details

This event is online only, and registration is required. A recording will be made available after the event’s conclusion. The information collected in the registration form is for internal use only and will not be shared externally.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.