PRESENTED BY THE RILEY INSTITUTE AND OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

As the world’s oldest democracy, America has long been held up as the standard to which other countries aspire. Yet, the reality is that many observers of democracies across the world do not place the United States among the strongest democracies in existence today; some have characterized it as “deficient” and “flawed.” Is it possible that the only form of government America has ever known could fail?

Three engaging and enlightening sessions examined trends that brought us to this point, the events of January 6, 2021, and the lingering harm they’ve inflicted on our democracy, what states are currently doing to make elections freer and fairer—or less so—and how we can move toward a healthier, more successful democracy.

Series Details

  • Tuesday, August 29, 6:30 p.m. | How We Got Here: The Weakening of Democracy in America
  • Wednesday, September 6, 6:30 p.m. | Free and Fair Elections: Protecting the Cornerstone of Democracy
  • Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 p.m. | Defending and Reforming Democracy in America

All sessions took place in McAlister Auditorium and were moderated by Furman University Professor Danielle Vinson.

Session I | How We Got Here: The Weakening of Democracy in America

August 29, 2023

Session I Speakers

Temidayo Aganga Williams

Temidayo Aganga-Williams ’08 served as senior investigative counsel for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. In this role, he was responsible for investigating the facts, circumstances, and causes of the attack and issues relating to the peaceful transfer of power.

Mike McConnell

Mike McConnell ’66 is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy and served as director of the National Security Agency from 1992 to 1996. As the director of national intelligence from 2007-2009, he led the 18 agencies and organizations that make up the U.S. intelligence community.

Danielle Vinson

Danielle Vinson, Ph.D., ’89 (moderator) is professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University. She specializes in institutions in American government with a particular emphasis on Congress and the media.

Week 1 Recap

Speakers at Session I discussed the following questions: What can America learn from how we have preserved democracy historically, and what does the January 6, 2021, attempt to overturn the election portend for our future?

Session II | Free and Fair Elections: Protecting the Cornerstone of Democracy

September 6, 2023

Session II Speakers

Lawrence Norden

Lawrence Norden is the senior director of the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. His work focuses on ensuring that U.S. election infrastructure is secure and accessible to every voter and protecting elections from disinformation and foreign interference.

Brad Raffensperger

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, is a lifelong conservative first elected in 2018 and overwhelmingly reelected in 2022 after withstanding pressure from former President Trump to “find 11,780 votes.”

Danielle Vinson

Danielle Vinson, Ph.D., ’89 (moderator) is professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University. She specializes in institutions in American government with a particular emphasis on Congress and the media.

Week 2 Recap

Speakers at Session II discussed the following questions: Is pending legislation in many states making elections more secure and fair or not? How do we restore public trust in election integrity and outcomes?

Session III | Defending and Reforming Democracy in America

September 12, 2023

Session III Speakers

Nicholas Davis

Nicholas Davis, Ph.D., is assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama. He is the co-author of Democracy’s Meanings and specializes in political psychology, public opinion, ideology, and democratic beliefs.

Danielle Vinson

Danielle Vinson, Ph.D., ’89 (moderator) is professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University. She specializes in institutions in American government with a particular emphasis on Congress and the media.

Jonae Wartle

Jonae Wartel is currently a partner at Arc Initiatives, a public affairs and communications firm specializing in developing and implementing comprehensive electoral strategies and civic engagement campaigns to promote pro-democracy efforts, advance voting rights, and build grassroots coalitions. She served as the 2020-21 Georgia Senate runoff director and served in leadership roles on the 2008, 2012, 2016 Presidential campaigns.

Austin Weatherford

Austin Weatherford ’04 is executive director of America250, a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. He spent 18 years serving the U.S. Congress in multiple capacities, including a decade as chief of staff to Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Week 3 Recap

Speakers at Session III discussed the following questions: What does democracy mean to Americans, and what can be done to create a better, fuller democracy that works for everyone?