Saving Democracy Together
Almost a century ago, under the looming threat of fascism, Franklin D. Roosevelt warned Americans about global conflicts pitting representative governments founded on individual liberty against emerging fascist dictatorships. Reflecting on John Dewey’s progressive education philosophy, FDR said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
Bennington College arose out of that treacherous political climate as a pioneer in progressive, liberal arts education. Like Dewey and FDR, its founders believed in the proposition that education offers the best hope for continually reinvigorating democracy’s core values of representative government, inherent equality, and human freedom. Bennington aimed, and still aims, as its commencement statement vows, to contribute to the development of “free citizens, dedicated to civilized values and capable of creative and constructive membership in modern society.”
In the early spring of 2024, faculty members in the Center for the Advancement of Public Action, including Brian Campion, Susan Sgorbati, and Eileen Scully began thinking about how they could honor Bennington’s legacy of responsibility to American democracy while leveraging their successful annual public policy forum to answer the needs of the current moment, including providing necessary context about the upcoming presidential election.
“There was the sense, from the students especially, that we had to do something,” said Sgorbati. They began by launching a three-week, one-credit course for students that would be used to formulate a seven-week class that was open to all. Sgorbati continued, “We did what Bennington does best: we used a highly collaborative approach to create a solution that brings people together.”
Throughout a three-week, one-credit course, students had deep, often emotional, discussions based on prompts such as what does democracy mean to you, and how would you like to see it change? “We considered these fundamental questions and determined that we, as young people, don’t know where to go for information about voting rights and how to participate in democratic processes,” said Will Greer ’24. Students completed research projects and learned about how they could be more involved. “What was most important to me is that we were not just theorizing. We were planning things out and learning about how we could make a real-world impact,” Greer added.
Campion, Sgorbati, and Scully, using input from the students, envisioned the seven-week class open to participants nationwide, particularly Bennington alumni. The course would bring together a bipartisan group of political leaders to engage directly with those seeking a purposeful path toward the American democratic ideal.
Student discussions informed what guests and information would be presented throughout the seven-week course. Guests include Andrea Bernstein, Casey Bohlen, Ciji Dodds, James H. Douglas, Anthony Paul Farley, Richard Haass, Svante Myrick, Kesha Ram Hinsdale, David Rohde, Andrew Weissmann, and others. The class was designed to deepen the understanding of democracy while reigniting participants’ commitment to civic responsibility. It began on September 5.
“As a historian, I’m deeply concerned by the striking similarities between our current era and the turbulent thirties, which so profoundly alarmed Franklin Roosevelt and galvanized the founders of Bennington College,” said Scully. “Our innovative course, Saving Democracy Together, aims to reach Gen Z with both urgency and optimism, and provide a meaningful and hopeful step toward safeguarding our democratic values.”
Through guided discussions and curated readings led by expert guests, participants probe the essence of democracy and devise strategies for meaningful engagement. Topics include foundational documents of the U.S., the nexus of education and democracy, media influence, social justice debates, economic crises, technological instability, environmental stewardship, and the global drift into authoritarianism.
In addition to discussion, each session of the seven-week class welcomes an expert guest of national significance and an interview from someone working on democratic issues on the ground, especially those from battleground states. As is the case in all Bennington classes, participants have access to accomplished practitioners and lively discussions.
“It’s not too late to join,” Sgorbati said. “We hope to have a robust group of alumni eager to continue their studies at Bennington and use what they learn to make a positive impact for themselves and others.” For more information about joining the class, visit bennington.edu/democracyclass.