Over the last twenty years, two significant trends have rocked world politics. One is the rapid global spread of connectivity through the internet, smartphones, and social media. The other is the worldwide decline of liberal democracy.
In this lecture, James Gardner explores the relationship between these two trends, arguing that internet-based hyperconnectivity has facilitated a transfer of power to those least likely to possess the character and to share the values long thought necessary for democratic citizens.
James A. Gardner, Bridget and Thomas Black SUNY Distinguished Professor, is an expert in election and constitutional law, federalism, voting rights, redistricting, democracy, and state constitutional law, as well as the institutionalization of democratic principles through law. He is a highly regarded specialist in constitutional and election law and a prolific scholar who has published six books and more than 60 articles and book chapters. According to Election Law Blog and Brian Leiter’s Law School Reports, Gardner is the eighth most frequently cited scholar in the field of election law.
