{"id":53,"date":"2019-08-09T22:28:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T02:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/?page_id=53"},"modified":"2020-08-06T15:58:00","modified_gmt":"2020-08-06T19:58:00","slug":"liberal-democracy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/liberal-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberal Democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PART II<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, we get concrete!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Up to this point, I have been conveying to you a common language.\u00a0 Now, it’s time to move beyond these abstractions.<\/p>\n

I devote this section of our course to the making<\/em>\u00a0of the\u00a0Liberal Democratic Nation-state<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0I use the word making<\/em> quite deliberately.\u00a0 Everything has a history, including even you.\u00a0 To understand any phenomenon, we need to begin with its roots (or, to go further back, its cosmic and\/or divine origins, atomic features, chemistry, etc.). The roots of Liberal democracy<\/strong> and the invention of viable institutions to put this idea into practice didn’t have from nowhere.\u00a0 Like you, they have long histories.<\/p>\n

To illustrate my point, I shall argue that there was nothing inevitable about the rise of liberal politics, values, and ideas in the western world.\u00a0 Alas, as we are learening today. there is also nothing inevitable about liberal-democracy\u2019s survival.<\/p>\n

We are very are lucky to live in a liberal society!\u00a0 See what Warren Buffett has to say about the \u201cOvarian Factor\u201d:\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a> What does this article have to do with my arguments?\u00a0 (By the way, did you know that federal funding for prostate cancer research [per years of life lost] is nearly 12 times greater than funding for research on ovarian cancer? See here<\/a>. How would you explain the disparity?)<\/p>\n

Once we have worked our way through this historical background, I will provide you with some clues for understanding the crisis of liberal democratic politics in the US and Europe today.<\/p>\n


\n6. LECTURE: \u00a0Monday, September 9<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the development of a social, political, and economic culture that was conducive to the rise of\u00a0Liberalism.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 Major events in Europe between the fifth and nineteenth centuries\u2013the fall of the Roman empire, the birth of feudalism, and the Industrial Revolution\u2013eventually made the institution of Modern Liberalism<\/strong><\/em> possible, although definitely not inevitable.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>: \u00a0Print and read the following chapter (Chapter 5) by Max Weber, one of the most influential, early social scientists and a pioneer of the theory of \u201cunintended consequences.\u201d \u00a0As you reflect upon the essay by the\u00a0Catholic<\/em> priest, Martin Luther–Luther was definitely<\/em> not a Protestant!–keep this point in mind. We can never understand our culture, or ourselves as individuals, without recognizing that those of us who grew up in North America were all raised as \u201cProtestants.\u201d Yes, this is true even of those Americans who self-identify as Catholics, and for that matter, even as atheists.\u00a0 To make sense of this statement, the key point is to understand what I mean by \u201cProtestant.\u201d<\/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\u2019t worry about the details of Luther\u2019s argument (there\u2019s too much you that you won\u2019t know).\u00a0 Just seek to get a general sense for the tone and content of his argument.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Also reflect upon this dirty secret about the nature of fundamental political change:<\/p>\n

Benjamin Ginsberg, “Why Violence Works.”\u00a0 PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

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7. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 11<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Reflections on 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\u00a0Liberal<\/strong><\/em> arena was unanticipated and, paradoxically, not welcomed by those whose decisions made it possible. Yet only they could have made this development possible. \u00a0How do we account for this unforeseen and unforeseeable transformation? Since people in power do not intentionally make decisions that will undermine their interests, I shall argue that a hostile idea, such as Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>, could only have arisen as the unintended consequences<\/em>\u00a0of the decisions of power holders.<\/p>\n

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

Readings:<\/em>\u00a0 .<\/p>\n

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

The American \u201cDeclaration of Independence\u201d\u00a0PRINT 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 ideas behind the American Revolution and the French Revolution were different in important ways, although each resulted in liberal democratic institutions. How are these differences reflected in the two founding declarations above?<\/p>\n

The birth of a nation-state: WATCH<\/em> “Italy” become Italy<\/p>\n

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8. DISCUSSION SECTION: \u00a0Friday, September 13<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Discussion themes:<\/em>\u00a0 Your discussion today will be focus on the following theme:\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>America\u2019s culture of radical individualism means that we are\u00a0all Protestants?\u201d\u00a0 You should keep the following questions in mind:\u00a0 1) If McAdams is right (and not crazy), what does he mean by calling American Catholics \u201cProtestants\u201d?; 2)\u00a0 Is the culture of radical individualism that grew out of Protestantism and is epitomized by the archetypical American hero, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger (see\u00a0Pumping Iron<\/a>) and Eminem (see\u00a0Eight Mile<\/a>), a always a positive thing?<\/p>\n

Assig<\/em>nment<\/em>:\u00a0 Does Notre Dame represent a successful alternative to the unintended product of Protestantism that Weber calls the \u2018iron cage?\u201d\u00a0 Write one succinct, tightly argued paragraph in response to this question.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

9. LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, September 16<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0\u00a0Political Parties\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>have been major instruments for including disparate groups of people in the\u00a0modern nation-state, both in\u00a0Liberal<\/strong><\/em> societies and, as we shall see later, other types of societies.\u00a0 Today, the catch-all party is the predominant type of party in the Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0world, but it is increasingly under threat.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Reflect upon the role of catch-all parties in our era of intense polarization.\u00a0 If election to office is dependent on the financial contributions of special interests and the manipulation of voting districts and access to the voting booth, what is the reward for politicians to engage in compromise?\u00a0These questions are directly related to the flagging fortunes of catch-all parties. If the idea of the catch-all party should fail, what type of party will replace it? Or without such parties, will liberal democracy simply fade away?<\/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, 5. READ<\/p>\n

Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, \u201cThis is how democracies fail,\u201d\u00a0New York Times<\/em>, January 19, 2018\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Yet, such stories are always more complicated that we would like to assume:<\/p>\n

Max Fischer, \u201cAfter a rocky 2018, populism is down but far from out in the West,\u201d\u00a0New York Times<\/em>, January 5, 2019:\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

10. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 18<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The advent of Fascism\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>in Europe in the first half of the twentieth century was a searing challenge to the values and institutions of\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 The\u00a0Liberal\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>response to\u00a0Fascism\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>was the\u00a0Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Today, all\u00a0Liberal\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>states are\u00a0Welfare\u00a0<\/em>States<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in one respect or another.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumptions<\/em>:\u00a0 Because we live in a liberal-democratic polity, we naturally assume that the Liberal <\/strong><\/em>idea will be instantly appealing to all people.\u00a0 Yet, Liberalism<\/em><\/strong>‘s victory over Fascism <\/strong><\/em>in the twentieth century was far from certain.\u00a0 The good news is that liberal democracy<\/strong><\/em> won.\u00a0 Yet its triumph was facilitated by the convenient conjunction of two factors:\u00a0 the Allied powers’ (sometimes slight) military advantage and the West\u2019s acceptance of the idea of the Liberal Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

During the Obama years, the President\u2019s critics sometimes equated the Liberal Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0with\u00a0Socialism.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Indeed, thanks to the rise of politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the current US President frequently warns of the threat of Socialism. <\/em><\/strong>But the assumption that socialism<\/em><\/strong> is the same everywhere is historically inaccurate.\u00a0 First, Fascism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0was a\u00a0Socialist<\/strong><\/em> system of government; so was another political identity that we will consider in a couple weeks, Leninism<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Second, Sanders and AOC have little in common with Fascism and Leninism.\u00a0 Thus, they call themselves “democratic socialists,” a kind of strong-state liberalism that is akin to the policies of Social Democratic parties in Europe.<\/p>\n

Assignments<\/em>: Don’t freak out! There are a lot of readings under the two topics below (Fascism and Welfare State), but aside from Mussolini\u2019s crucial essay (which you should read for his general argument) and the Kingdon chapters, most are short, and I am only asking you to print a few of them. Use your own judgment in deciding how closely to read the longer ones.<\/p>\n

I.\u00a0\u00a0On the subject of\u00a0Fascism<\/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 hard-core Right-wing movements in Europe and the US. Could Fascism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0be lurking in our future? \u00a0Or is the\u00a0Modern Welfare State<\/strong>\u00a0enough to save us?<\/p>\n

Major Reading<\/em>: Benito Mussolini, \u201cThe Doctrine of Fascism\u201d \u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a>\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry about all the details, just get a general sense for his argument and why it might be appealing.<\/p>\n

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

Question<\/em>: Is there good or bad news looming on the contemporary horizon?<\/p>\n

Dan Holleran, \u201cThe Opportunistic Rise of Europe\u2019s Far Right,\u201d\u00a0The New Republic<\/em>, February 16, 2018\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Timothy Snyder is worried (Guardian<\/em>, October 30, 2018)\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Thomas Meaney is not as worried (New Statesman<\/em>, September 12, 2018)\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

2. <\/em>\u00a0On the subject of the\u00a0Welfare State<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0read:<\/p>\n

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

Pew Foundation: \u00a0\u201cFive Ways in Which Americans and Europeans are Different\u201d READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparing Welfare States\u00a0\u00a0SKIM<\/a>\u00a0 This page will give you a sense for the diverse types of liberal welfare states.<\/p>\n

What might path dependency have to do with it? Comparative policies on public funding for maternity leave and child care and early childhood education: READ<\/a><\/p>\n

And, \u201cGoing Dutch\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a>.\u00a0 A personal account of the Welfare State in action!\u00a0 I have spent a good amount of my life living in Germany, and I have consistently been amazed at the benefits of a social-democratic welfare state<\/p>\n

11. DISCUSSION SECTION:\u00a0 September, Friday, 20<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion Topic<\/em>: Are liberal democratic institutions in the United States and Europe strong enough to survive the rise of populist extremism?<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s section, read articles below.<\/p>\n

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

David Brooks, \u201cHow Democracies Perish,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0New York Times<\/em>, January 11, 2018\u00a0READ<\/a>.\u00a0 Based on this reading, who is right, Brooks or Deneen (Notre Dame)?<\/p>\n

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Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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Paragraph topic<\/em>: \u201cWill populism eventually lead to the demise of liberal democracy?\u201d\u00a0 If yes, why? If no, why not?\u00a0 You may only take one\u00a0 side.<\/p>\n

We have two goals in making this assignment:<\/p>\n

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  1. The first goal is to get you to think about the meaning of \u201cpopulism\u201d and \u201cliberal democracy.\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. The second is to ask you to a great<\/em> introductory paragraph should take. Unlike the paragraphs that you have written up to this point, please write an introductory paragraph for a paper for a hypothetical paper.\u00a0 Introductory paragraphs should typically do the following things: 1) state the issue; 2) make an argument and identify a counterargument; 3) provide the reader with a sense of how you will proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Your first REFLECTIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT is HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n


    \n12. LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, September 23<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Reflections on the inherently contradictory and conflict-ridden characteristics of\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 can\u2019t live up to its name\u00a0unless it has certain\u00a0essential<\/em>\u00a0features. I have already outlined four characteristics. \u00a0Yet by nature,\u00a0Liberalism<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 is unstable.\"\" The Liberal-democratic<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0character of our government today is not necessarily the same as it will be tomorrow; jt is certainly not the same as it was yesterday (especially in the current political climate!).\u00a0 Still, this capacity for change can be a very good thing.\u00a0 Indeed, if such\u00a0Liberal-democratic<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0bastions as Iceland, Monaco, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and the U.S. didn\u2019t change over time, they wouldn\u2019t be\u00a0Liberal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 at all.<\/p>\n

    Liberal democracy<\/strong>\u00a0is not only inherently conflictual. Regrettably, the features that make this political identity great can also be the source of its unraveling. \u00a0In certain circumstances, good causes can be transformed into ugly sources of unrest and instability.\u00a0 We can see this in the U.S. and Europe today.<\/p>\n

    Reading assignments\u00a0<\/em>(most of them are short):<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    America is one darn complicated country<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Suzy Hansen, \u201cUnlearning the Myth of American Innocence\u201d\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

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    The Good\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

    Chris \u00a0McGreal, \u201cThe S-word: How Young Americans Fell in Love with Socialism\u201d\u00a0READ<\/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

    \u2026the Bad, and the Ugly<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Richard Fausset, \u201cA Voice of Hate in America\u201d:\u00a0READ<\/a>\u00a0 This article was widely criticized after its publication for humanizing fascism and extremism.\u00a0 Do you think this is a fair criticism?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    NOTE: There are Leftist extremists, too<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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    See Peter Beinart, \u201cThe Rise of the Violent Left,\u00a0The Atlantic,\u00a0<\/em>READ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Anonymous, #OpDomesticTerrorism:\u00a0SCAN<\/a><\/p>\n

    Anonymous \u2013 Message to Charlottesville #OpDomesticTerrorism\u00a0WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n

    Consider this<\/em>:\u00a0\u00a0Under what circumstances would you\u00a0resort to\u00a0violence<\/em>\u00a0to protect\u00a0Liberal Democracy?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Or do you think the preservation of\u00a0Liberal Democracy<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0isn\u2019t worth the risk of violence?\u00a0 If so, why?<\/p>\n

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    \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI am Anonymous\u201d<\/p>\n

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    13.\u00a0 REQUIRED <\/strong>EVENING FILM:\u00a0 Monday, September 23 OR<\/span> Tuesday, September 24
    \n<\/em>Time and Location:\u00a0 7:00 pm on both nights; also both nights, Room B062 Jenkins Nanovic Halls<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To make it easier for you to fit this film into your calendar, we will show it on two different evenings. Please choose which is best for you.<\/p>\n

    Film #1: \u201cThe War at Home\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    The events in this film illustrate the necessarily conflictual and unstable character of liberal democracy<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Also,\u00a0What! Protest at Notre Dame?\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

    If it is impossible for you to view the film on either of these evenings, you may be able to find it on-line.\u00a0 However, I strongly recommend that you see the film on one of these evenings since you will get a better impression by viewing it on a big screen.<\/p>\n

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    14. OPEN CLASS DISCUSSION:\u00a0 Wednesday, September 25<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    I invite you to argue with me. And why not?<\/p>\n

    Kneeling at Our Lady’s University: READ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


    \n15.\u00a0 NO DISCUSSION SECTION: Friday, September 27<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Your\u00a0Reflective Essay<\/strong>\u00a0will be due on this date.\u00a0 There will be no discussion section since you have been writing your essay.<\/p>\n

    It is your responsibility to make sure that your TA receives your essay on time. He or she will clarify when and how you are to turn it in. 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

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

    NOTE:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Please do not\u00a0use electronic devices of any kind during our class, including laptops, cell phones, tablets, tape recorders, FBI trap-and-trace technology or any other personal digital device.\u00a0 My classroom is a tweet-free zone!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    PART II Now, we get concrete! Up to this point, I have been conveying to you a common language.\u00a0 Now, it’s time to move beyond these abstractions. I devote this section of our course to the making\u00a0of the\u00a0Liberal Democratic Nation-state. \u00a0I use the word making quite deliberately.\u00a0 Everything has a history, including even you.\u00a0 To … Continue reading “Liberal Democracy”<\/span><\/a><\/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-53","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":776,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53\/revisions\/776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-fall-2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}