Virtual Conversation: Preserving Democracy through Civil Discourse

In a survey of five mountain states, including Idaho, fewer than one in ten adults reported a very favorable view of the federal government and Congress, with just one in ten reporting a lot of confidence in the federal government and Congress to act in the best interest of the public. Half of those surveyed saying “concerned” best describes their views on the health of democracy in the United States.

These attitudes, coupled with the 80% of those surveyed reporting they believe Americans with different political viewpoints have a difficult time talking to one another about politics, indicate the state of our democracy is tenuous. 

Civil discourse on political systems is fundamental to a healthy democracy. City Club is committed to this idea, and works to bring people together to hear diverse viewpoints by creating spaces where conversations happen. Please join us for a virtual forum about this study, and the Democracy Project, an initiative of the Frank Church Institute at Boise State University. 

Thursday, February 24th, Noon - 1:00 p.m. MT

Panelists:

Rod Gramer, Idaho Business for Education President and CEO, Member, Frank Church Institute Board of Directors, and author of the book, Fighting the Odds: The Life of Senator Frank Church

Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, Associate Research Professor, School of Public Service and Interim Director, Idaho Policy Institute

The panel will be moderated by City Club board member Jen Schneider, Professor and Interim Associate Dean, School of Public Service, Boise State University

The Frank Church Institute at Boise State conducted the "Perceptions of Democracy" survey between September 24 and October 26 of 2021. Researchers polled 1,899 adults in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming to find out how they feel about the state of democracy in America, perceptions on common ground, media and misinformation, the 2020 election and views on the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

City Club thanks our Premier Sponsor, Northwest Nazarene University and the NNU College of Business, our Annual Sponsor University of Idaho, Boise, and the 2022 Forum Series sponsors: AARP of Idaho, Bank of Idaho, Echelon Group, Micron, Optum Idaho, PacificSource Health Plans, and Small Mine Development. We are pleased to welcome university students to attend our events thanks to our University partners Boise State University and Northwest Nazarene University. Our media partners include Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Statesman. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

If you have any questions, call 208-364-4614 and staff can assist you.