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Discussion preps students for upcoming midterm election

On Oct. 13, a roundtable session entitled "Fragile Democracy” was held in Bernardine Lecture Hall. Moderated by Travis Berger - dean of the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership - its panelists included Dr. Kevin Donnelly, associate professor of history, and Dr. Nicholas Nicoletti and Dr. Victoria Williams, associate professors of political science. 

"Especially within today's social climate, it is imperative to engage in difficult, yet meaningful discussion about the nation's democracy. As we head into a consequential midterm election and competitive Presidential campaign period, the foundational pillars of democracy, especially the unrestricted freedom to cast a vote, must be intact," said Jacob-Paul Taylor, MBA student, philosophy & criminal justice '22. "The Fragile Democracy discussion beautifully complemented Alvernia's commitment to forming worldly-aware and ethically trained leaders; there is no better place to discuss the nation's political climate than an institution of higher education rooted in the Franciscan tradition... It effectively integrated student perspectives with those of area experts and produced an engaging and thought-provoking period of reflection, discussion, and aspirations for change." 

The discussion focused on the current state of democracy in America, what makes democratic forms of government unique and important, and what characteristics democratic governments share.  It touched on recent challenges to America’s democracy, including the Jan. 6 insurrection, and examined how midterm campaigns have been shaped by those challenges. 

“Fundamentally, we asked whether a country can be democratic if its institutions cease being representative, if its politics and laws are being shaped dramatically by nine unelected members of the Supreme Court, and if the people and leaders constantly question election results and believe elections are rigged and unfair,” said Williams. 

The event was inspired by Alvernia’s Franciscan Catholic mission, responsibility to the Alvernia community and student body as well as remarks from Franciscan Father Daniel Horan shared in the National Catholic Reporter article “What Catholic colleges and universities can learn from Pope Francis.” Father Horan shared Catholic educational institutions should take a “bold, balanced and thoughtful position” stemming from academic freedom and constructive conversations while honoring the Catholic institutional mission of pursuing knowledge, truth and justice. Father Horan also stressed that institutions have a duty to share intellectual and practical resources with the broader community.  

“As liberal democracies and social institutions are being threatened throughout the world, and as movements toward populism, nationalism and autocracies increase, we have a responsibility to explore, examine and discuss this current reality,” said Berger. “We need experts to share their insights from different perspectives to help inform our thinking and understanding, to help us appreciate the consequential times that we are living, and to inspire us to action.” 

Nicoletti focused on the various threats to American institutions and how these institutions can be hardened and protected to prevent possible democratic backsliding in the United States as well as the importance of the 2022 midterm elections as we consider these various risks for democratic backsliding.

“In recent decades American democracy has become more vulnerable... American institutions like the Electoral College have come under increased attack, with proposed changes to electors' selection at the state level," said Nicoletti.

Donnelly focused on historical parallels to previous "perilous" times for democracy, including famous world historical examples from the Fall of the Roman Republic to the rise of Nazism in Germany. Attention was also paid to comparative examples in Europe and the world, with an emphasis on the fact that liberal democracy has been facing a number of challenges across the globe in recent decades. He also prompted the attendees with the question “Why are once-discredited theories of racial and ethnic nationalism on the rise in American and global democracies?” 

“The Fragile Democracy Round Table was a great event that gave students insight into the political, governmental, and historical aspects of democracy. The panel shared keen political observations and discussed that state of America’s democracy. My favorite part of the event was the Q & A discussion because it opened up the conversation to various points of view. The event was a great opportunity to bring citizens together to discuss their ideals.”