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: “Bolder Reimagining” by Alexandra Kleeman

“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.
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," novelist Alexandra Kleeman diagnoses the normalized sense of loss in American democracy.
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Michael Zürn puts the concept of "liberal" democratic ideals under the microscope.
Christoph Möllers discusses the charge against Thomas Mann of being "apolitical."
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Irish novelist and academic Colm Tóibín analyzes the stability and opportunity of democracy.
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," German media academic Bernhard Poerksen analyzes the problems posed by short-term media fads.
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," award-winning journalist Melissa Chan discusses the faltering image of democracy.
For the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy," Jody David Armour talks about the nature of the promise of democracy.
Helmut Anheier identifies the tension in democracies between nativism and globalism, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."
Rainer Forst warns of class apathy and the faltering notion of majority rule, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."
Jutta Allmendinger refutes "redtraditionalization" emergent in modern democracies, for the Thomas Mann House series "55 Voices for Democracy."