Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Challenges Facing American
Democracy, 1970-2012
Eric Davis
http:// fas-polisci.rutgers.edu
davis@polisci.rutgers.edu
http://new-middle-east.blogspot.com/
Democracy Institute
Washington Township High School
October 4-5, 2012
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
What are the key challenges
facing American democracy?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
What are the key questions?
 Problems facing American democracy stem from 4
areas: 1) national identity; 2) civil liberties; 3) political
institutions and participation; and 4) social equality
 National identity encompasses the definition of our
norms and goals as a people and nation
 Civil liberties entail threat of the government
encroaching on our personal freedoms
 Political institutions and participation define our
quality of life
 Social equality means creating a democracy in which
all citizens can enjoy “life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness”
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The problem of
National Identity
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
National identity and religion
 One of the continuing debates is whether the
US is a “Christian nation”
 Despite Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury
Baptists stating there is a “wall of separation
between church and state” in US, many
Americans still feel Christianity a state religion
 Religion is related to such issues as: abortion,
evolution vs. creationism, reproductive rights,
school prayer, family structure and gay marriage
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
National identity and religion: key questions
 What role should faith play in public sphere?
 We do have a national religious holiday, e.g.,
Christmas (Thanksgiving is of Christian origin).
 Should other major religions, Judaism, Islam,
Hinduism, have their holidays recognized?
 What is the balance between religious beliefs and
citizenship?
 For example, US does recognize right of
conscientious objectors not to engage in combat
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
National identity and politics
 To what extent are “culture wars” a proxy for
deeper political conflict in contemporary US?
 Changing demographics, patterns of wealth
inequality, and rural-urban migration were key
in creating political discontent in 19th century
 US becoming a nation dominated by Latinos
and East Asians with WASPs a minority
 How has formally dominant community
reacted to these changes?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
National identity and politics
 Many white males fear a society which they will no
longer dominate
 Many whites fear that new ethnic groups will not
respect American traditions, e.g., the Constitution and
political institutions
 Much of this fear comes from idea of an ever
expanding federal government – the same fear that led
the Confederate States to leave Union
 Their worst fear – a powerful Federal government
controlled by the “Other,” e.g., Barack Obama
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Negative images of Obama
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
National identity and values
 The bureaucratization of everyday life,
decline in middle class wages and standards of
living, housing crisis, and global instability
create great anxiety
 The question arises: what are America’s core
values and have we lost them?
 What is “authentic” American culture and
who best represents its values?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Religion and the Salem Witch Trials
What is referred to as religion can sometimes
assume a repressive quality
 Why did “religion” assume such a repressive
quality during the Salem witch trials and why
were women the objects of attack?

Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The KKK as
“politicized
religion”
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Economic and cultural change
 Is the concern with small entrepreneurship
the same fear new urbanites in 19th century US
had over loss of the “Republican ideal”?
 Does the individual citizen today have any
meaningful economic and political power?
 Do citizens greater sense of loneliness,
alienation and feelings of lack of political
efficacy, esp. due to declining economic
opportunity?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Pedagogical approaches to
problems of National Identity
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Teaching respect, tolerance and pluralism
 What are the best ways to teach students to
respect social and cultural diversity?
 What types of texts, visual imagery, Internet
contact and role playing can foster such respect?
 How can we reconcile individual religious
beliefs with core curriculum demands?
 If a student believes in creationism, how should
that be reconciled with the theory of evolution?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Civic consciousness
 Civics and history are no longer subject matters
emphasized in the core curriculum
 Will an emphasis on economic “efficiency”
undermine our civic and social bonds?
 If learning is only for individual economic gain,
what happens to commitment to the group?
 How do students today learn how to become
citizens if education is only viewed in functional
and instrumental terms?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The challenge of mass society
 Are we really a society of individuals today, or are
we strong social conformists?
 Why, for example, is the worth of a person often
defined by their material possessions, esp. their
technology?
 If citizens were more careful about their
consumption patterns, wouldn’t that undermine our
capitalist system?
 Why did the savings ethos of the 19th century give
way to the credit card debt of the 20th century?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The sources of social conformity
 Idealized portrayal of US society began with
prosperity in 1950s as seen in many TV shows of the
era, e.g., Father Knows Best and Donna Reid Show
 Focus on political conformity stifled creativity as
reflected in studies such as David Riesman’s The
Lonely Crowd, William Whyte’s The Organization
Man, and Vance Packard’s The Hidden Persuaders
 Riesman distinguished between the “Inner Directed”
and “Other Directed” man
 After a horrible war, Americans turned inwards and
largely ignored the world beyond TV shows
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Entertainment and decline in “social capital”
 Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam defines social
capital as citizens’ capacity to form networks that
promote their collective interests
 1950s entertainment promoted (passive) television
viewing and reduced social activity and interaction
 TV shows emphasized male control of family and made
sharp distinction between public and private spheres
 Spatial layout of suburbs made group activity more
difficult to organize than in older towns and cities, with
their defined downtown areas (unlike NJ townships)
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The decline of civic participation in US
 In Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of
American Community, Robert Putnam argues that the
US is experiencing a civic decline
 He uses bowling leagues and bridge clubs as measures
of this decline since the 1920s
 Putnam has been criticized for not including social
media in his analysis and understanding that new forms
of civic participation are taking place via the Internet
 If true, is the Internet a meaningful substitute for faceto-face interaction?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The power of
advertising
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The emphasis on youth,
the body and clothing
as power: a good example
for our children and students?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The Challenge of Civil
Liberties
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Why are civil liberties so important?
 First and foremost, civil liberties protect citizens from
the intrusiveness of the state
 All authoritarian regimes destroy all aspects of civil
society
 Citizen’s knowledge of her/his rights and a strong
legal system are critical foundations of civil liberties
 Civil liberties require support of population s a whole
and young people must be educated as to their value
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
How have civil liberties been threatened?
 In times of crisis, the state always moves to curtail
individual rights
 Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus twice during the
Civil War, and George Bush suspended it for “enemy
combatants” in 2008
 Article I, Section 9, clause 2 of the Constitution,
states, "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of
Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require
it."
 But what in contemporary era exactly constitutes a
“Rebellion” or “Invasion”?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Civil liberties and the Cold War
 McCarthyism was an effort to curtail civil liberties by
suppressing the right to hold certain ideas and certain
forms of political dissent
 The Smith Act (1940) prohibited speech advocating
forcible overthrow of the government; Taft-Hartley Act
(1947) sought to prevent Communist supporters in
organized labor from using general strikes to overthrow
the government.
 Internal Security Act (1950) closed existing loopholes
in security regulations and required all Communist
Party members to register themselves with government;
McCarran-Walter Act (1952) allowed officials to
deport suspected communist sympathizers more easily
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Civil liberties in the 1970s and 1980s
 Pres. Nixon used grand juries to suppress dissent in
early 1970s
 Between 1970 and 1973, more than 100 grand juries,
in 36 states and 84 cities, subpoenaed 1000 witnesses
and issued 400 indictments.
 30 witnesses were imprisoned for contempt when they
refused to cooperate with grand juries
 Using an Executive Order, Pres. Reagan authorized
CIA infiltration into subversive groups in 1980s
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Civil liberties under Clinton and Bush
 Both presidents Clinton and Bush violated the
1978 Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act
 Bush invoked the “unitary executive theory,”
which argues that Congress has limited control
over the Executive Branch
 This doctrine was an outgrowth of Nixon’s
development of the “imperial presidency” (used
interchangeably with unitary executive theory)
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
USA Patriot Act
 Acronym for Uniting (and) Strengthening America
(by) Providing Appropriate Tools Required (to)
Intercept (and) Obstruct Terrorism – passed on Oct.
26, 2001
 Reduces restrictions on law enforcement agencies’
ability to gather intelligence related to terrorism in US,
expands Treasury Dept.’s ability to monitor financial
transactions, and allows government to deport
immigrants deemed harmful to American security
 Dramatic increase in law enforcement agencies’
power viewed as unconstitutional by many experts
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
9/11 and the Obama Administration
 Despite election promises, Pres. Obama has not
closed Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
 In May 2011, Obama approved a 4 year extension of
the Patriot Act
 The extension approves “roving wiretaps,” the
“library provision” and “lone wolf” powers
 All government actions must be approved by secret
Federal courts
 133 Democrats and 31 Republicans in House
opposed the extension, as did 4 senators
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
How should we teach civil liberties?
 What elements of students’ daily life might make
them more attentive to civil liberties?
 How can we make this issue less “abstract”?
 Would they accept the government’s rights to
monitor their cell phones and Internet usage?
 Do they realize the amount of information about us
that the government and corporations already have?
 What in-class simulations might make them more
attentive to the importance of civil liberties?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Political Participation
and Institutions
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Did
Putnam
overstate
his case?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Voter turnout in presidential elections, 1824-2008
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Voter turnout in US elections
 Highest voter turnout was 81.8% in 1876 and
lowest was 49% in 1996
 In most mid-term elections, turnout is in mid30% range, e.g., 37.8% in 2010
 If there had been same youth (18-30) turnout in
2010, Republicans would not control House of
Representatives today
 Youth need to understand that their votes matter
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Political party identification
 2010 Gallup Poll found 31% Democrats, 29%
Republicans, and 38% Independents
 Rasmussen Poll May 2012: 35.1% Republican;
33.1% Democrat; 31.8% Independent
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Approval ratings for Congress
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Promoting civic engagement
 How can we encourage students to become more
interested in political institutions?
 Would more visits to legislative institutions serve
this end? Bringing political leaders into the
classroom?
 What types of role playing and simulations could
help students better understand crucial importance of
sustaining our democracy?
 “Democracies are like your teeth: ignore them and
they go away”
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Social Inequality
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Rising income inequality
 A striking development since the 1970s, but esp. after
2000, is growth of income inequality
 For 90% Americans, incomes haven’t changed over the
past decade
 2009, richest 10% controlled ½ nation’ economy
 Top. 0.1% (making more than $2 million) control 10%
of the economy
 1950s, bottom 90% controlled 68% nation’s economy
 Key factor in promoting income inequality has been
deregulation of the economy
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Gini index
determines how
much money would
have to be
redistributed for
everyone to have
the same income.
The higher the
figure, which ranges
between 0 and 100,
the more unequal
the country.
GINI Index for US and selected countries
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
The 2008 recession
 Middle and lower classes were hurt much more
badly than the very wealthy
 Luxury spending had returned to pre-2008 levels by
2010
 Executive salaries are still very high (unlike Japan
where CEO’s salary can’t be more than 10 times
lowest paid employee in the firm)
 Top 1% of income earners in European democracies
receive far less than their counterparts in the US
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Congressional Budget Office Study, Oct. 2011
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Does this development threaten our social solidarity?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
How does income inequality affect democracy?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Source: Huffington Post
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Source: Huffington Post
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Source: Huffington Post
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Source: Huffington Post
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Source: Huffington Post
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Youth and the economy
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Youth attitudes towards politics
 Harvard’s Institute of Politics published study, “Survey
of Young Americans’ Attitudes Toward Politics and
Public Service ( Dec. 2011)
 52% youth feel US going in wrong direction, and only
12% feel going in right direction
 74% report jobs and economy chief concern
 21% support the Occupy Movement, 33% not
supportive, 46% unsure or failed to answer
 Report shows growing disengagement among
Millennials (those under 30) with politics, meaning the
US losing its “best and brightest” in terms of future
political leadership
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Social inequality in the classroom
 How do we bring the issue of declining economic
opportunity into the classroom?
 How can students feel more efficacious about
affecting their futures, esp. with costs of college
education rising so quickly?
 How can we avoid creating more pessimism and
cynicism regarding young people’s control over their
future?
 Is not civic and political organization one response,
since no one individual can improve the economy?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Summary comments I
 How are our 4 themes interrelated?
 Will the “culture wars” undermine our sense of
National Identity?
 Will they make it even more difficult for us to
confront our economic crisis?
 How can increasing social inequality be treated?
 How can we assure that individual effort is
rewarded but not put economic advancement out
of reach for most Americans?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Summary comments I I
 How can we assure that the terrorism threat does not
further undermine our civil liberties?
 What is the relationship between our culture wars and
support for civil liberties?
 Do many Americans seek to restrict the rights of
those who advocate unpopular causes, esp. in difficult
economic times?
 What pedagogies can stimulate our students to
develop new ways of addressing the challenges
currently faced by American democracy?
Department of Political Science
Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Rutgers University
Bibliography
Freire, Paulo, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Putnam, Robert, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and
Revival of American Community
Riesman, David, The Lonely Crowd
Robinson, Ken, The Element: How Finding Your
Passion Changes Everything
Tilly, Charles, Trust and Rule
Wineburg, Sam, Historical Thinking and Other
Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of
Teaching the Past