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How would you assess the current health of American
(i.e., US) democracy?

Liza Bruno – English I suppose it’s distressingly healthy, in that many people voted who didn’t think they had a stake in voting before. Unfortunately I disagree with those who voted for Bush.

Jorge Pineiro – Mathematics Holy shit. I don’t know how to answer that… I guess it (the election) is expressing what the majority wants. But elections are just a piece of what democracy is.

“Chopper” – Philosophy alum / faculty If by democracy you mean, holding elections once every four years, I guess it’s healthy…

Carlene Buchanan – Sociology From an international student’s perspective, the system has to be credited for being one of the most liberal democracies worldwide. But, the current trend seems to be the growth of clientelism, etc.

Samer Salame – Computer Science The US had for a long time been a great model of democracy that was an inspiration for many nations…

Lawrence Ross – Ethnomusicology The most overriding concern for me is the lack of transparency in the voting system and until we can have full faith in the system, the health of US democracy is going to be in question.