On Friday 13 September 2024, a “Town Hall Meeting” on the November 2024 United States elections – and the state of US democracy more broadly – was fittingly held in the Burgerzaal (“Citizens’ Hall”) of the historic city hall building in Middelburg. The event, held in Dutch, was organized by the RIAS in cooperation with the Zeeland Library (ZB) and University College Roosevelt (UCR). Over 100 people were in attendance to discuss such themes as voter registration, the shifting roles of federal and state power, and the decline of cooperation between the Republican and Democratic parties. Herman Lelieveldt, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at UCR, moderated the discussion.
Before the floor was opened to questions, two introductory presentations were given by Damian Pargas, RIAS Executive Director and Professor of American History, and Laila Frank, journalist and America-expert.
Damian Pargas opened the event with a brief overview of the historical trajectory of American democracy and how it came to be in its current state of vulnerability. He explained how the absence of a majority governing system and growing state power have led to anti-democratic developments including more voting power in the countryside compared to cities, voter repression, and a Republican-majority Supreme Court. He also described the radicalizing political culture of the US, rooted in the rise of ‘Big Business,’ the power of Christian nationalists, and racism.
Laila Frank devoted her presentation to the individuals she has met during her travels in the United States and the wide range of political beliefs held by them. She scrutinized the state of American democracy through the lens of presidential campaigns, considering the way that different campaigns portray their vision of democracy, the difficulty of the binary choice between ‘being’ a Republican or Democrat, and the role of history, logic, and emotions when people decide who to vote for.
As the goal of the event was to engage in a public conversation – as per the American political tradition of “town hall meetings” – the rest of the evening was allotted to questions from the audience. From general questions about the structure of the complicated US political system, to specific ones about geopolitical developments including the impact of the elections on the Netherlands, a fruitful and engaging discussion was held, expertly moderated by Herman Lelieveldt. The evening closed with a reception, during which conversations could continue over drinks.
The event was a great success, undoubtedly achieving its aims of addressing concerns and questions raised by people in Zeeland about the worrying state of the American political system, regardless of the upcoming election’s outcome.
The program of the event can be seen here.
