Apr 15

What is the state of American democracy today?

Deep and accelerating inequality; unprecedented political polarization; vitriolic public discourse; a fraying social fabric; public and private narcissism—Americans today seem to agree on only one thing: This is the worst of times. How did we get here and what can we do about it?

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Rhode Island Foundation, Dwight and Susan Sipprelle, Jane Timken and Stephen B. Huttler, Esq., and Jennie Huttler. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and generosity. Thank you to SRU for making the livestream possible.

THIS EVENT WILL BE LIVESTREAMED TO THE BIG SCREEN

AT THE EDWARD KING HOUSE

– THE EVENT AT SRU IS SOLD OUT – REGISTRATION FOR THE LIVESTREAM IS REQUIRED!

35 King Street
35 King Street, Newport, RI 02840
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Apr 15, 2025 05:00pm – Apr 15, 2025 07:00pm

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Robert D. Putnam is the Malkin Research Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the British Academy, and past president of the American Political Science Association, in 2006 he received the Skytte Prize, the world’s highest accolade for a political scientist. In 2012 Barack Obama awarded Bob the National Humanities Medal, the nation’s highest honor for contributions to the humanities. He has written fifteen books, translated into twenty languages, including Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Italy and Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, both among the most cited (and bestselling) social science works in nearly a century. He has consulted for Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama, as well as presidents and prime ministers from the UK, Ireland, and Finland to South Korea and Singapore. His most recent book, The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again (2020), is a widely praised study of broad 20th century American economic, social, political, and cultural trends.

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