Social Media and American Democracy: Challenges and Consequences

Explore the impact of social media on American democracy in this thought-provoking 52-minute talk from The Aspen Institute. Delve into how modern communication technologies have transformed public discourse, potentially undermining the Founders' vision of a deliberative republic. Examine the tensions between rapid, emotionally-charged online interactions and the slower, reason-based decision-making process envisioned by figures like Madison and Hamilton. Investigate key topics including polarization, executive power, judicial independence, free speech boundaries, and the role of the Supreme Court. Join speakers Jeffrey Goldberg and Jeff Rosen as they analyze whether the American democratic experiment is in crisis and explore potential solutions. Gain insights into the complex interplay between social media, constitutional principles, and the future of representative government in the digital age.