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As part of the commemoration of the events of May 4, 1970, Kent State University hosts an annual symposium on democracy in an effort to learn from the past some important lessons from the future. Published proceedings from the annual symposia focus on the particular challenges of living in a democratic society.
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Democracy and the American Civil War

and | Filed under: African American Studies, American History, Civil War Era, Discover Black History, Symposia on Democracy, Understanding Civil War History
Adams and Hudson Cover

In 1865, after four tumultuous years of fighting, Americans welcomed the opportunity to return to a life of normalcy. President Abraham Lincoln issued his emancipation decree in January 1863 and had set the stage for what he hoped would be a smooth transition from war to peace with the announcement of his reconstruction program in December 1863 and with his call of “malice toward none and charity for all” in his Second Inaugural Address in March 1865. Lincoln’s dream of completing the process of reconstructing the nation was cut short just one month later by the hand of an assassin.

 


Democratic Narrative, History, and Memory

and | Filed under: History, May 4 Resources, Symposia on Democracy
Barbato Cover

The essays in this volume explore the complex relationships among events, memory, and portrayal of those events and the deepest questions of human experience, all viewed through a range of disciplinary lenses but grouped into three sections, each with its own focus and meaning.

 


Democracy and Globalization

| Filed under: Symposia on Democracy
Nieman Book

Available for reading here

 


Democracy and Homeland Security

| Filed under: Symposia on Democracy

Available for reading here

 


Democracy and Religion

| Filed under: History, Symposia on Democracy
Scott Book Cover

Compiled from papers delivered at the third annual Kent State University Symposium on Democracy held in spring 2002, Democracy and Religion: Free Exercise and Diverse Visions explores the interrelations of politics and religion. The work is divided into four main sections: the constitutional debate regarding the establishment and free exercise of religion clause, the themes of violence and nonviolence as they relate to religion, the free exercise of religion and the rise of fundamentalism, and the challenges to the free exercise of diverse religious practices in a democratic society.

 


Democratic Peace in Theory and Practice

| Filed under: Political Science & Politics, Symposia on Democracy
Hook Book Cover

Historical patterns suggest that democratic governments, which often fight wars against authoritarian regimes, maintain peaceful relationships with other governments that uphold political freedoms and empower their civil societies—a concept known as “democratic peace.” Democratic Peace in Theory and Practice is a timely collection of essays by leading scholars that examines how democracies maintain relationships and how democracies are spread throughout the world.

 


The Boundaries of Freedom of Expression and Order in American Democracy

| Filed under: Political Science & Politics, Symposia on Democracy
Boundaries Book Cover

After decades of controversy surrounding the May 4 commemoration, the University moved in a new direction, choosing to use the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to recognize the past and embrace the future. A major component of this was the establishment of an annual scholarly symposium to focus on the great issues of American democracy. The Boundaries of Freedom of Expression and Order in American Democracy is the product of the first symposium, which explored the limits of freedom of expression in American society as they apply to business, education, media, law, politics, the Internet, and other venues.

 


Media, Profit, and Politics

| Filed under: Political Science & Politics, Symposia on Democracy
Harper Book Cover

A compilation of essays and related commentary delivered at the second annual Kent State University Symposium on Democracy, Media, Profit, and Politics recognizes and considers the fundamental differences that arise when the competitive forces of commerce clash with the demand for the open availability of information in a democratic society.