Government Dysfunction and the Future of Our Democracy

America's democracy has been a beacon for the world for many years. But now it is facing perhaps its biggest challenge — a perfect storm consisting of extreme domestic polarization on key issues, incivility, and government dysfunction; the weakening of our media, our judiciary, and our political norms; and widening social, economic, and educational inequality. Harvard professor Steve Levitsky has studied the actual breakdown of democracies throughout the world and now directs his attention to America's democracy. Is it in danger? How can it be saved? Steve Levitsky is Professor of Government at Harvard with a focus on political parties, authoritarianism, and democratization. Prior to that he was Visiting Fellow at the University of Notre Dame's Kellogg Center for International Studies. He has written numerous articles and books. His most defining book, How Democracies Die, concludes that the biggest challenge America faces today is extreme polarizing incivility that pervades and threatens the basic and objective functioning of our government, media, and judiciary. In his lecture he will also explain how he feels our American democracy — despite severe challenges today — can be saved. After his lecture he will sign copies of his book.