The 2016 election was unprecedented in recent elections in the United States. The primary elections were remarkably theatrical for both political parties. Donald Trump's election and accession to the presidency continues to electrify the country—the pundits as well as the people. The hacking and infiltration of the 2016 U.S. electoral process by foreign actors presents the possibility that our electoral preferences could be nullified by the preferences of foreign actors. What if the challenge to American democracy is not just the 2016 election, not just the Russian hacking, but also more fundamental? What if American democracy itself is imploding? If this is the case, who can and will repair and/or reconstruct the system—judiciary, legislature and executive—or the American people? What means are available and what are the prospects of success?
Note: The instructor will assign supplemental reading during the course.