Week 8: October 11, 2006

Inequality Matters: Skocpol (Skah-ch, pole), "America Disconnected", Bakan, "Corporations Unbound."

Tuned Out, "The Decline of General News and the Deliberative Body."

This week's readings are more closely connected than all of the readings we've done this semester. Skocpol and Mindich, I think, are making the same argument; the more tuned out people are from society, which means community involvement as well as being informed about the news of the day, the more strained our democracy becomes. To add to this problem, corporations, as Bakan points out are taking on the role of psuedo-government leaders because of their enormous economic and hence, political power.

It seems like we are heading in downward spiral, but your insightful comments last week left me with a glimmer of hope. Please cast more light on the subject of Americans who are disconnected with society and the role this plays on our fragile democracy. Just to get the ball rolling...some of you will soon be working journalists. How can working journalists turn the tide? Or can they?