Virtual Book Talk: American Democracy in Crisis

Join the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. for a free virtual book talk with Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino who will discuss the flawed foundations of American government and her book American Democracy in Crisis: The Case for Rethinking Madisonian Government. Public disenchantment with and distrust of government is at an all-time high. In the face of widespread challenges?everything from record levels debt and the sky-high cost of education to gun violence, racial discrimination, an immigration crisis, overpriced pharmaceuticals, a pandemic, and much more?the government seems paralyzed and unable to act. In her book American Democracy in Crisis, Dr. Zaino explains why we are in this situation, why the government is unable to respond to key challenges, and what we can do about it. Zaino argues that current political inaction is not the fault of elected officials but is instead the fault of the system in which they strive to function. Her book explores politics in the era of Noah Webster and argues that in order to understand modern political challenges, we must first study and understand the governmental system as it was established. Dr. Zaino will discuss the origins of the American political system and the impact on contemporary government response, as well as pinpointing solutions to enable future change. Her proposed solutions aspire to enable a more accountable, effective and responsive government. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino is a Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Iona College. She has a strong pedigree in the political science field with a Master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Zaino has over 25 years experience in the field and has published several articles and books on various political topics. Beyond her work in print, she is a frequent contributor on Bloomberg TV and radio, as well as several other media outlets. The virtual book talk with Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino will take place on Wednesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Register at https://bit.ly/3xSNSow to receive the Zoom link.