Rule of Law

Justice Without Fear or Favor

Annie Searle

June 15, 2023

In the 1960s, a relatively new technology was able to record and broadcast as news the behavior of citizens and law enforcement in Southern states, in particular Alabama and Mississippi. The rhetoric matched the behavior, as protesters or voting rights advocates were beaten while the police stood by. One cannot repeat the names called, but can remember still the violent speech used by segregationists as they fought against the change that was coming.

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Politics

“The Rule of Lies” Why it Matters. What Can We Do?

Peter Corning

November 20, 2019

A lie serves the liar’s interests, often at the expense of others. It also destroys social trust and undermines our democracy. How can we redeem our civic discourse after Trump? Looking beyond the immediate political crisis, we should begin even now to think about how to repair the damage. What can we do?

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Politics

How to Nurture a Democracy

Peter Corning

December 19, 2018

A democratic political system can survive only if it is embedded in a society that allows it to thrive. Rather like the three essentials for nurturing healthy plants (good soil, adequate water and sunlight), there are at least three nurturing elements that a society must provide, in order for democracy to prosper -- beyond the foundation of a healthy economy. These elements are (1) the rule of law, (2) elections that are perceived as fair (and where the outcomes are respected), and (3) a political discourse that honors veracity and condemns lying and liars.