Improving the American Experiment
  • Archived
Bill and Penny Obenshain Program on Global Affairs

Improving the American Experiment

A panel discussion with Heather Cox Richardson, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt on foreign policy and democracy

Special Event Announcement:

This program is currently SOLD OUT

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Submit your questions for Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt, Heather Cox Richardson.

  • Audio Description for Blind or Low Vision
  • Open Captions
  • Assistive Listening Devices

About the Event:

While many democracies around the world have reformed their outdated institutions, America's constitutional system, which thwarts majorities more than any other democracy, has fallen into crisis, as a radicalized minority turns away from democracy. Come to Chicago Humanities for an in-depth conversation on the state of our democracy and what America can learn from other nations with a panel of esteemed experts including historian Heather Cox Richardson (author of Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America and writer of popular newsletter Letters from an American), Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (authors of the New York Times bestseller How Democracies Die and Tyranny of the Minority), and led in conversation by the University of Chicago Professor William Howell.

A book signing will follow this program.


  • This program is generously underwritten by Bill and Penny Obenshain.
  • Chicago Humanities is pleased to partner with the Seminary Co-op Bookstores, a Chicago not-for-profit bookstore whose mission is bookselling. Pre-order your copy of Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America and Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point through the Chicago Humanities Box Office and save 20% while supporting local, independent bookselling. Add books to your cart when adding tickets. Your receipt will contain a book voucher, which you will show to the bookseller on-site to pick up your book(s).
  • Please visit our FAQ for more information about ticketing, books, accessibility options, and other event logistics.
Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt are professors of government at Harvard University and the authors of the <...

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Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson is a professor of history at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic h...

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William Howell

William Howell

William Howell is inaugural Dean of the School of Government and Policy at Johns Hopkins University, where he also ho...

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[Event tile image description: The event image at the top left of the event page are photos of Heather Cox Richardson, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt on a blue background. Image credit: Heather Cox Richardson, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt]