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MCC Daily Tribune

The 2022 Spring Deliberative Dialogue Series Concludes Wednesday With a Focus on Improving Democracy

Deliberative dialogues are unique opportunities to engage in collaborative thinking about pressing public issues. Because each dialogue takes the form of deliberation, attendees drive the conversation in small groups facilitated by trained moderators. Deliberation is unlike the panel discussions or debates we are accustomed to in American politics, as it is highly participatory, egalitarian, and non-adversarial. The foundation of each deliberative dialogue in this semester's series is an issue guide provided by the National Issues Forums Institute. These guides offer an opportunity to critically explore an issue while also putting our personal values at the center of the conversation. Overall, deliberation promotes the listening and talking necessary to have difficult conversations in a democratic society. Below is information on the final dialogue of the semester.

A House Divided: What Would We Have to Give Up to Get the Political System We Want?

America is increasingly polarized. It is hard to have public conversations about complex topics that are both meaningful and productive, public officials seem incredibly divided and distant from their constituents. For many, the political system exists in a state of paralysis. How can we reverse this trend and get the political system we want? This dialogue will evaluate three potential options: reduce dangerous, toxic talk, make fairer rules for politics and follow them, start making decisions closer to home.

Date: 5/4/2022

Time: 1145am-1pm

Location: Zoom

Register here: https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvd--urzkpE9xEfS W6A0xFE8e1ZT-CCeim 

If you have questions or want an advance copy of an issue guide, please contact Joe Scanlon (jscanlon1@monroecc.edu).

MCC's deliberative dialogues are sponsored by The Democracy Commitment at MCC, PEACE: Programming Educators for Accountability, Collaboration, and Equity, and the Department of Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology. 

Joseph Scanlon
Anthrop/History/Poli. Science/Sociology
05/03/2022