{"id":39,"date":"2017-08-14T12:32:22","date_gmt":"2017-08-14T16:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2017-11-26T12:41:08","modified_gmt":"2017-11-26T16:41:08","slug":"liberal-democracy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/liberal-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberal Democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

PART II<\/strong><\/p>\n

This section of our course is devoted to the making<\/em> of the Liberal Democratic Nation-state<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0I use the word \u201cmaking\u201d quite deliberately. \u00a0By considering the long evolution of the idea of liberal democracy and the invention of viable institutions to put it into practice, I shall argue that there was nothing inevitable about the rise of liberal politics, values, and ideas in the western world. We are very are lucky to live in a liberal society! \u00a0Once we have worked our way through this historical background, I will provide you with some clues for understanding the crisis of US and European democracy today.<\/p>\n


\n6. LECTURE: \u00a0Monday, September 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the development of a social, political, and economic culture that was conducive to the rise of Liberalism.<\/strong><\/em>\"\"<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: \u00a0I shall cover several major events in Europe between the fifth and nineteenth centuries that eventually made Modern Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0possible, although certainly not inevitable.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>: \u00a0Print and read the following chapter by Max Weber, one of the most influential articulators of the concept of “unintended consequences.” \u00a0As you reflect upon the essay by the\u00a0Catholic<\/em> priest, Martin Luther, keep in mind that we can never understand our culture,or ourselves as individuals, without recognizing that those of us\u00a0who grew up in\u00a0North America were all raised as \u201cProtestants.\u201d Yes, even those Americans who self-identify as Catholics.<\/p>\n

Max Weber,\u00a0The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism<\/em>,\u00a0only chapter 5: \u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Martin Luther, \u201cThe Freedom of a Christian\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a>\u00a0 This is a long essay by an angry Catholic priest. Don’t worry about the details of Luther’s argument, just seek to identify the main points. Write them down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 6<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections about a meteoric development that shaped the character of Liberalism<\/strong>\u00a0as we know it today: \u00a0the opening of the boundaries of the political realm to the participation of ever broader sectors of society<\/em>. \u00a0This development took place in different ways and in different countries. \u00a0It is still taking place around the world today, even in the United States.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: The tumultuous intrusion of the \u201cunwashed and unwanted\u201d into the Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0arena was totally unanticipated by those whose decisions\u00a0made it possible, but only they could make it possible. \u00a0How do we account for this unforeseeable transformation? \u00a0Since people in power do not intentionally make decisions that will undermine their interests, I shall argue that a hostile ideology like Liberalism<\/strong><\/em> could only have arisen as the unintended consequences of the decisions of power holders.<\/p>\n

NOTE:\u00a0 \u201cIn a democracy it\u2019s your vote that counts. In feudalism\u00a0it\u2019s your count that votes!\u201d (McAdams)<\/p>\n

For this section, you should begin reading the following assignments. \u00a0I will not touch on all of them today, but I want to spread out your reading so you do not get overwhelmed by too much reading at the same time.<\/p>\n

Assignment:<\/em>\u00a0 Begin thinking about the significance of the twin revolutions in political participation that took place in America (1776) and France (1789).<\/p>\n

Roger Kingdon,\u00a0America\u00a0<\/em>the Unusual<\/em>, chapter 4<\/p>\n

The American “Declaration of Independence” PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

The French National Assembly, \u201cDeclaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

The ways of thinking behind the American Revolution and the French Revolution were different in important ways, although each resulted in liberal democratic institutions. If you interested in the differences, feel free to read this excellent article: \u00a0Kim R. Holmes, \u201cThe Great Divide: The Ideological Legacies of the American and French Revolutions\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Could one say that the French Revolution was even more revolutionary than its counterpart in America? \u00a0This reading is not required.<\/p>\n


\n8. DISCUSSION SECTION: \u00a0Friday, September 8<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion themes:<\/em>\u00a0 Your discussion today will be based on the following theme:\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>Why are we all Protestants?\u201d\u00a0 You should keep the following questions in mind as well:\u00a0\u00a01) If we are all Protestants, what happened to Catholicism? 2) What does any of this have to do with politics? and, 3) Is McAdams crazy?<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>: \u00a0There is a two part assignment for this discussion: \u00a0First, in one paragraph<\/em>, identify the\u00a0three\u00a0main points in Weber\u2019s argument about the origins of Protestantism. \u00a0It is up to you to decide which points are the major points. Make sure you understand how your three points combine into a cohesive argument.<\/p>\n

Second: \u00a0In a second, single paragraph<\/em> respond to the following: \u00a0Is McAdams flat-out wrong when he declares that “you are all Protestants”?<\/p>\n

p.s. I realize that not all of you identify as Catholics or even consider yourself religious. \u00a0However, I say this: \u00a0Even atheists are Protestants!<\/p>\n


\n9. LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, September 11<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the evolution of Political Parties<\/strong>\u00a0in the West: Cadre parties, Mass parties, and Catch-all parties<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 Political Parties<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>have been major instruments for including disparate groups of people into the\u00a0modern nation-state, both in Liberal<\/strong><\/em> societies and, as we shall see later, other societies.\u00a0 Today, the Catch-all party\u00a0is the predominant party\u00a0in the Liberal<\/strong><\/em> world.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Reflect upon the way politics is conducted in the U.S.\u00a0 What is the reward for compromise?\u00a0 What is the price of conviction? \u00a0Are we now look experiencing the collapse of Catch-all parties in the U.S.? \u00a0Are<\/p>\n

Roger Kingdon, \u00a0America\u00a0<\/em>the Unusual<\/em>, chapter 2<\/p>\n

Michael Kazen, \u201cHow can Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders both be \u2018populist\u2019?\u201d \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Cas Mudde and Cristobal Kaltwasser,\u00a0Populism<\/em>, chapters 1 and 5. READ<\/p>\n

Peter Baker, “Bound to no Party” \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

10. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 13<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflection:\u00a0 <\/em>The rise of Fascism<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>in Europe in the first half of the twentieth century represented a fundamental challenge to the values and institutions of Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 The Liberal<\/strong> <\/em>response to Fascism<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>was the Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Today, all Liberal\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>states are Welfare<\/em> States<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumptions<\/em>: Liberalism’s<\/strong><\/em> victory over Fascism<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>was far from certain.\u00a0 The salutary outcome of this contest was facilitated in large part by two factors:\u00a0 military power and the West\u2019s readiness to embrace the state\u2019s role in the Liberal Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0During the Obama years, some American politicians equated the Liberal Welfare State<\/strong><\/em> with Socialism<\/strong><\/em>, but this claim is historically problematic. In contrast,\u00a0Fascism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0was a Socialist<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0system of government and so was another political identity that we\u2019ll consider in a few weeks, Leninism<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Assignments:<\/em><\/p>\n

On the subject of Fascism<\/strong><\/em>, read both Benito Mussolini\u2019s prognostications as well as the testimonies of some of people who fell in love with the movement. Then, reflect upon the significance of the recent popularity of fascist movements in Europe and the US. Could Fascism<\/strong><\/em> be lurking in our future? \u00a0Or is the Modern Welfare State<\/strong>\u00a0enough to save us?<\/p>\n

Benito Mussolini, \u201cThe Doctrine of Fascism\u201d \u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Steinhoff, Pechel, and Showalter,\u00a0Voices from the Third Reich\u00a0<\/em>(PDF FILE<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Peter Foster, \u201cThe rise of the far right is not a false alarm,\u201dThe Telegraph\u00a0<\/em>PRINT AND READ
\n<\/a><\/p>\n


\nOn the subject of the Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0read:<\/p>\n

Kingdon:\u00a0America\u00a0<\/em>the Unusual<\/em>, chapters 1 and 3.<\/p>\n

Pew Foundation: \u00a0“Five Ways in Which Americans and Europeans are Different” PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparing Welfare States\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

And, \u201cGoing Dutch\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a>\u00a0(doc file)<\/p>\n


\n<\/em>11. DISCUSSION SECTION:\u00a0 Friday, September 15<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion:<\/em>\u00a0For this section, our goal is to identify the distinguishing features of a hypothetical\u00a0Fascist<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0solution to social welfare issues and then compare them with those that are meant to prevail in a Liberal Welfare State.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Reflect on these questions: \u00a0Is there a hard-and-fast boundary line between the two systems? If so, what is it? Why might some people be tempted to cross this line in the direction of Fascism<\/strong><\/em>?<\/p>\n

\"\"

Neo-Nazi protest in Charlottesville<\/p><\/div>\n

David Motadel, “The United States was never immune to fascism” \u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Cas Mudde and Cristobal Kaltwasser,\u00a0Populism<\/em>, chapters 3 and 4.<\/p>\n

Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk, “The Signs of Deconsolidation,”\u00a0Journal of Democracy <\/em>READ AND PRINT<\/a><\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>: \u00a0Write one paragraph in response to this situation: \u00a0We now have neo-Nazis marching on the streets of \u00a0our cities. \u00a0But what conditions would be required for the United States to become a Fascist<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0state? \u00a0Feel free to either agree or disagree with Motadel’s argument.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your\u00a0first\u00a0REFLECTIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT is\u00a0<\/strong>HERE<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u203e<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>12. LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, September 18<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the inherently contradictory and conflict-ridden characteristics of Liberalism<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 can\u2019t live up to its name\u00a0unless it has certain\u00a0essential<\/em>\u00a0features. I have already outlined these four characteristics. \u00a0Yet by nature, Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 is unstable.\u00a0 The Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 policies our government espouses today are not necessarily the same as it will espouse tomorrow; they are frequently not the same as it espoused yesterday (especially in the current political climate!).\u00a0 And it can be a very good thing, too!\u00a0 If such\u00a0Liberal-democratic<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0mainstays as Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Slovakia, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and the US didn\u2019t change, they wouldn\u2019t be Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 at all.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the features that make liberal democracy great can also be the source of its unraveling. \u00a0In certain circumstances, good causes can be transformed into ugly manifestations of unrest and instability.<\/p>\n

Reading assignments<\/em>:<\/p>\n

The Good…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kingdon,\u00a0\u00a0America\u00a0<\/em>the Unusual<\/em>, ch. 5.<\/p>\n

Chris \u00a0McGreal, “The S-word: How Young Americans Fell in Love with Socialism” READ<\/a><\/p>\n

What does citizenship have to do with it?\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

What does Notre Dame have to do with it? \u00a0Read about Notre Dame students battling the Ku Klux Klan: \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

What would Taylor Swift say? \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

…the Bad, and the Ugly<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens when a millennial goes fascist?\u201d Los Angeles Times <\/em>READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Richard Fausset, “A Voice of Hate in America”: READ<\/a><\/p>\n

“New Free Speech Movement” READ<\/a>\u00a0This site is sympathetic to the neo-Nazi movement. \u00a0If you find it offensive, simply note the reference to the First Amendment and move to another assignment.\u00a0 [Note: Twitter has just deleted this site.\u00a0 I am preserving the references above as an artifact of our times.]<\/p>\n

Compare to:<\/p>\n

Peter Beinart, “The Rise of the Violent Left, The Atlantic,\u00a0<\/em>READ<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"

Anonymous<\/p><\/div>\n

Anonymous – Message to Charlottesville #OpDomesticTerrorism WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n

Anonymous hacks Fox News WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Required Film #1 (Evening), \u201c<\/strong>The War at Home<\/strong><\/em>,\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There will be two showings of this film. \u00a0You may choose either Monday, September 18 or Tuesday, September 19. Both showings will be at 7:00. \u00a0Location:\u00a0 1050 Nanovic Hall, Elizabeth Nanovic Seminar Room<\/p>\n

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of this film (6:50) so you make sure you can get in the building.<\/p>\n

If it is impossible for you to view the film on either of these evenings, you will be able to find it in the Hesburgh Library Audio-Visual Center. \u00a0However, I strongly recommend that you see the film one of these evenings since you will get a better impression by viewing it on a big screen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

13.\u00a0<\/strong>Wednesday, September 20<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We will have an in-class discussion today instead of a lecture. Prepare for this discussion by re-reading the assignments for Monday and reflecting on \u201cThe War at Home\u201d (if you were able to see it on Monday or Tuesday).<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is Silence in the streets\u201d\u00a0\u00a0READ\u00a0<\/a> Huh? What happened since this article was published 11 years ago?<\/p>\n

Russel Brand, “We no longer have the luxury of tradition” PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Anonymous, #OpDomesticTerrorism: SCAN<\/a><\/p>\n

Consider this<\/em>:\u00a0\u00a0Under what circumstances would you\u00a0resort to violence<\/em> to protect Liberal Democracy?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n


\n14. \u00a0NO DISCUSSION SECTION:\u00a0Friday, September 22.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are not having a regular discussion section because your first REFLECTIVE ESSAY will be due this date. It is your responsibility to make sure that your TA receives your essay on time. She will clarify when and how you are to give it to her. Your essay should have a title and be double-spaced. \u00a0See above for all of the other specifications. \u00a0Be sure to put your name on your essay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PART II This section of our course is devoted to the making of the Liberal Democratic Nation-state. \u00a0I use the word \u201cmaking\u201d quite deliberately. \u00a0By considering the long evolution of the idea of liberal democracy and the invention of viable institutions to put it into practice, I shall argue that there was nothing inevitable about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":595,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions\/595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}