For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," novelist Alexandra Kleeman diagnoses the normalized sense of loss in American democracy.
55 Voices for Democracy
“55 Voices for Democracy” is inspired by the 55 BBC radio addresses Thomas Mann delivered from his home in California to thousands of listeners in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and the occupied Netherlands and Czechoslovakia between October 1940 and November 1945. In his monthly addresses Mann spoke out strongly against fascism, becoming the most significant German defender of democracy in exile. Building on that legacy, “55 Voices” brings together internationally esteemed intellectuals, scientists, and artists to present ideas for the renewal of democracy in our own troubled times. The series is presented by the Thomas Mann House in partnership with the Los Angeles Review of Books, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Deutschlandfunk.
55 Voices for Democracy: “Democracy and Truth” by Michael Zürn
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Michael Zürn puts the concept of "liberal" democratic ideals under the microscope.
55 Voices for Democracy: “Democracy as a Process of Conviction” by Christoph Möllers
Christoph Möllers discusses the charge against Thomas Mann of being "apolitical."
55 Voices for Democracy: “We Can Never Be Vigilant Enough” by Colm Tóibín
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Irish novelist and academic Colm Tóibín analyzes the stability and opportunity of democracy.
55 Voices for Democracy: “The Cult of Short-Termism” by Bernhard Poerksen
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," German media academic Bernhard Poerksen analyzes the problems posed by short-term media fads.
55 Voices for Democracy: “How ‘Stolen Words’ Harm Democracy” by Melissa Chan
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," award-winning journalist Melissa Chan discusses the faltering image of democracy.
55 Voices for Democracy: “Education, Social Justice, and Democracy” by Jody David Armour
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Jody David Armour talks about the nature of the promise of democracy.
55 Voices for Democracy: “Of Quandaries and Trilemma: Globalization, Democracy and Society” by Helmut Anheier
Helmut Anheier identifies the tension in democracies between nativism and globalism, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."
55 Voices for Democracy: “The Neglect of Democracy” by Rainer Forst
Rainer Forst warns of class apathy and the faltering notion of majority rule, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."
55 Voices for Democracy: “What Crisis? Our Trust in Democracy” by Jutta Allmendinger
Jutta Allmendinger refutes "redtraditionalization" emergent in modern democracies, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."