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September 10, 2024

The course was developed in collaboration with Bennington faculty and students, and much of the information and insights are directed toward young voters. It is also designed to provide participants with the leading political thinkers of the moment. Generous funding for the class was provided by an anonymous alumni donor. 

The resounding message of the first session was this: It is easier to use one’s vote to preserve democracy than to try to recover it. It is easier to save a democracy than to rebuild it.

The guest for the first session included author and President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass, PhD, whose latest book The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens came out from Penguin Random House in 2023. After an introduction, Haass praised Bennington for the effort. 

“I think what you are doing tonight and with this series is exactly what is needed,” Haass said via Zoom. “Thank you.” 

He took questions from Bennington’s President Laura R. Walker, students, and recent alumni—Abraar Arpon ’26 from Bangladesh, Paige Colby ‘25 from the United States, Marta Shcharbakova ’23 from Belarus, and Samuel De Sousa ’23 from Venezuela. Three of the four are from countries whose democracies have fallen. They spoke about being jailed or being put under house arrest for opposing the views of their countries’ current political leaders. 

As he answered questions, Haass explained why he used the word “obligations” in the title of his book. 

“Rights are important. If we were to free associate with the word ‘democracy,’ ‘rights’ would come up pretty early on in the process,” Haass said. “The problem with rights is… they are simply not sufficient.” 

Haas explained how rights, when taken as absolutes, lead to the most controversial topics in American politics, including abortion, gun control, and recommendations related to public health.

“Rights alone do not a democracy make,” he said. “We need to balance them with obligations, including obligations to each other and to the country. I am trying to broaden this conception of citizenship and broaden the conversation in this country about how we balance our individual rights with our obligations to the collective.”   

Among the key obligations Haass cites are the obligations to be informed and involved. He recommends public service for the ways it helps people meet those who are different from them. 

“I really want every young person and every not-so-young person to have a stint in public service,” Haass said, including the military, the foreign service, intelligence, the Peace Corps, Teach for America, and the newly created Climate Corps. “You give back, you learn, but what I like about it more than anything is that it brings Americans together.” 

In addition to the interview session, the evening included a video message from Keisha Ram Hinsdale, the first woman of color to serve in the Vermont Senate. Speaking specifically to young people, she shared that those trying to restrict rights would much rather have people give up their right to vote voluntarily than to take it by force and warned, “If you don’t…take a seat at the table, you end up on the menu.” 

The program closed with a segment called, “From the Field,” which looks to people working in key battleground states for information on what it is like to be doing democracy work in various places across the country. Participants heard from recent graduate Alex Brkic ’24, who is working at the county level with MOVE Texas, a non-partisan organization that aims to mobilize young voters. 

“We’ve heard over and over again how important this election is in November,” said Susan Sgorbati, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Public Action. “I can think of nothing more important right now than doing this type of work to preserve and strengthen democracy.”

The series runs Thursdays through October 17. Those interested can see a video of the first class on the Saving Democracy Together webpage, in the week 1 dropdown.