American Democracy at a Crossroad: The U.S. in Times of Hyperpartisan Conflict

In the organizer's words:

In recent years, Europeans have been watching the erosion of democratic norms in the U.S. with anxious concern, not only because of our military dependence on the Atlantic alliance and the economic importance of transatlantic trade, but also because our own democratic cultures are deeply interwoven with that of the U.S. Better understanding the political developments on the other side of the Atlantic is, therefore, vital - particularly since populism and political gridlock are also on the rise here in Europe. What are the causes of the hyperpolarization that make America's parties increasingly view each other as enemies? What can be done to avert the threats to US democracy? What can we learn from the American experience to protect our democracies from toxic partisanship?

To discuss these and related questions and to analyze the first year of Donald Trump's second presidency, former Members of the US Congress Mike Capuano, Democrat from Massachusetts (1999-2019), and Fred Upton, Republican from Michigan (1987-2023), will join us for a brown-bag lunch, to which you are cordially invited. Sharing their political insights with us, they will present their views about the state of American democracy and look forward to your questions.

Price information:

Admission is free of charge. Registration via Eventbrite is required.