Social Media Versus American Democracy
Setup
The Founders created a representative republic rather than a direct democracy, designed to slow down deliberation so that majorities could rule based on reason rather than passion. But in the age of Facebook and Twitter, new social media technologies have unleashed populist passions and accelerated public discourse to warp speed, creating the very mobs, demagogues, echo chambers, and factions that Madison and Hamilton feared. Is the American idea in crisis, and if so, what can we do about it?
- 2018 Festival
- USA
- Technology
Explore More
USA
Our national conversation is increasingly defined by deep divisions, worries about the stability of our political system, and even threats of political violence. Yet, in the m...
Love is an emotion and an instinct for sure, but the ability to love is a skill that every young person should be taught, given how important relationships and love are to eve...
What would happen if genetic sequencing were standard care for undiagnosed diseases? And how can we ensure that the future of genomics benefits everyone, not just the one perc...
American conservatives have traditionally supported a free market domestically, free trade internationally, low taxes, limited regulation, and a limited federal government. To...
When endeavoring to stay informed about a 2020 campaign landscape that features dozens of candidates, it can be tempting to rely on political polling as a shortcut to news-gat...
The divide between targeted values-based approaches and broad-based efforts remains a fascinating reflection of the tensions inherent in Trump-era women’s organizing.
Just how unevenly is “upward mobility” dispersed throughout the country?
What if when you posted something on Twitter or Instagram or another service, the platform gave you feedback? For example, “You just upset 10,000 people.”
Computer systems don’t anticipate all the types of people who might use them. What are the innocuous, and more problematic, consequences of this?
The fear of running out of charge still drives consumer habits around electric vehicles.
History has made the term "socialism" vague and unproductive, according to linguistics professor John McWhorter. Should it be retired?
Valerie Jarrett shares advice on stepping out of your comfort zone, her favorite memories from inside the White House, and how we can empower women and working families.
