Elevating Civic Engagement: An Evening of Conversation

Scrolling through social media, the political landscape in America seems more divided than ever. The presidential election and the tone of political discourse have left many feeling an insurmountable gap between themselves and their ideological opposites. What value is there to the free exchange of ideas, if it feels less like exchange and more like returning fire? Disagreement is inevitable, but is it possible that it is also useful?

Join America’s Future and the Center for the Study of Liberty for a panel discussion and Q&A to dig further into these questions and more. In this discussion, we will ask what conditions are necessary to function in a pluralistic society. Are there common values that serve all parties, regardless of their social status or political power? Is civic engagement desirable? What role does civil discussion play in our ability to engage in local and national debates about policy and what is best for our communities?

This event will feature Dr. Ben Berger, Associate Professor of Political Science at Swarthmore College and executive director of the College’s Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, and Dr. Brandon Turner, Associate Professor of Political Science at Clemson University.

As always, we will have an open bar, ample appetizers, and plenty of free covered parking attached to the venue. Come prepared with plenty of questions!