Can Democracy Work? James Miller

An entertaining and insightful guide to one of our most cherished and vexed ideals.

Democracy is the most broadly accepted political system in the world today, and yet the institution seems to have lately become roiled in disappointment and crisis. In Can Democracy Work? James Miller argues that democracy has always had to contend with inner tensions, from the ancient Greeks to the French revolutionaries. Even the United States would extend the franchise to some, while obstructing it for others. Amid the unrest of the twentieth century, communists, liberals, and nationalists all sought to claim the mantle of democracy for themselves—even as they failed to realize it.

James Miller is a professor of politics and liberal studies at the New School for Social Research. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Examined Lives: From Socrates to Nietzsche; Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947–1977; and "Democracy Is in the Streets": From Port Huron to the Siege of Chicago.

FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED

Registration does not guarantee admission. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A stand by line will form thirty minutes before the program.

The Program Room opens at 6 PM.

ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.