Democracy is a Party: The Lost Art of Getting Together

In the last decade, Americans have increasingly expressed a sense of dismay at the erosion of democracy. “We fight our disillusionment by holding vigils, declaring our positions on social media, or announcing our allegiances in yard signs; but we also feel like these are ineffective and joyless.”

This session stems from asking, “What if the way to restore our faith in democratic life was more joyful, more social, and far more fun?” A century ago, the philosopher John Dewey theorized that democracy can never characterize our institutions if it is not realized and enjoyed as a way of life.

Bethany Henning considers the possibilities of celebration as an effective (and increasingly rare!) mode of political action.