Union, Elections, and Democracy

Summary: We discuss efforts to reform our elections and democracy in light of Tocqueville’s observations on the American Union at the end of volume 1 of Democracy in America.

Christian college professors Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines.

Leading Off (1:15) - We discuss the decision of Texas and Mississippi to lift their mask mandates and the reaction to it. Links: NBC News report on TX and MS; NBC News report on Biden reaction; CBS article on business response. 

Required Reading (5:29) - Prof. Corbin guides us through the final part of the last chapter of volume 1 of Democracy in America and our adjacent reading: book 1, chapter 2 of Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy. Assigned for next week: DIA, volume 2, part 1, chapter 1-10 (pages 403-439 in the Mansfield/Winthrop edition).

Headlines (29:32) - We discuss the For the People Act, which recently passed the House, and the ongoing debate over campaign finance and election integrity. Links: Marcia Brown at The American Prospect; Dan McLaughlin at National Review; John Fund at The Spectator.

Open the Gradebook (45:15) - We give President Biden a grade after the first forty days of his presidency. Links: Jim Geraghty newsletter; AP story on Biden approach to legislating. 

Tocqueville's Crystal Ball (50:57) - After Dave hit on all his Golden Globes picks, he is 11-3 in 2021; Matt went 2-2 and is now 6-8. This week, we make our picks for the NBA All-Star game. Link: Team LeBron and Team Durant.      

Opening and closing music is from the beginning of "Happy Life" by Ryan Andersen from his 2018 album, Americana volume 1. Available here. Licensed by Creative Commons.

Instagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday

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Matt Parks is an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is a Professor of Politics and the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California. All views expressed in this podcast are their own.