Category: Democracy Lab
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Complex issues require us to navigate many different intersections of facts, values, interests, and experience. One way we resolve these tensions is through the stories we tell ourselves and others. Often these narratives run below the surface and shape our thinking without the examination they deserve. One widely held although damaging narrative underlying our current politics…
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Over the last several years I taught a course called “Democracy Lab” through the University of Missouri’s Osher Institute. Class members ranged from their late 50s to 90s in age, came from a wide range of backgrounds, and spanned the political spectrum. Most signed up because they wanted to have dialogue with others in the…
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For several weeks now I have been teaching a class called “Democracy Lab.” The class reflects the hypothesis that increasing both dialogue and critical thinking skills will improve our democracy. As we discussed the current state of our politics, two key themes emerged, both relating to the information available to voters. The first theme related…
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In a recent dialogue class for older students we were discussing the “American Dream” and how this concept shifted over time from a dream based in community (“with liberty and justice for all”) to one rooted in more individually focused consumerism, with a particular focus on home ownership. In previous discussions members of the class…