In recent years, American democracy has bent but not broken. What are the threats facing American democracy, and what are its sources of resilience? In this talk, Dr. Jake Grumbach will investigate trends in three areas of American democracy: the rule of law, majority rule, and political equality. Each of these areas is a crucial component for a political system of the people, by the people, and for the people, and each area shows signs of strain. While much of the concern about democracy has been focused on the White House, the U.S. constitutional system gives much of the authority over democracy to the Supreme Court and state governments—and it is in these institutions that he will uncover new and underemphasized evidence on the health of American democracy. 

This event is free and open to everyone. The event will be held in person at Town Hall Seattle and also livestreamed online.

Our speakers are brought to the UW community, citizens of Seattle, and the state of Washington through three very generous private endowments: The Walker-Ames Fund, The Jessie and John Danz Fund and the Mary Ann and John D. Mangels Fund.