We discuss the decline in American church membership and President Biden’s attacks on the new Georgia voting law in light of Tocqueville’s reflections on American sentiments and mores in volume 2 of Democracy in America.
Christian college professors Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines.
Leading Off (1:05) - We discuss the results of the latest Gallup poll on church membership and its consequences. Links: Gallup Poll results; Kevin Williamson writing at National Review.
Required Reading (10:36) - Professor Corbin leads us through the end of part 2 and the beginning of part 3 of volume 2 of Democracy in America and a selection from Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws. Assignment for next week: volume 2, part 3, chapters 8-12.
Headlines (31:25) - We examine President Biden’s characterization of the new Georgia voting law as a return to Jim Crow or worse. Links: Carl Cannon at RealClearPolitics; President Biden press conference transcript; President Biden on SportsCenter at Business Insider; President Biden statement on Georgia voting law; Washington Post fact check on Biden statement; New York Times analysis of Georgia voting law; summary of state absentee ballot laws; state-by-state absentee ballot voter ID laws; Dan McLaughlin at National Review.
Open the Gradebook (46:05) - Baseball is back! We grade the entertainment value of two great opening day moments and talk about the results of our fantasy baseball draft. Links: Miguel Cabrera’s sliding home run; Clay Bellinger’s long single.
Tocqueville's Crystal Ball (52:45) - After a bad week picking the games from the NCAA tournament’s round of 16, we try again with the semifinals and finals. Dave is now 16-10 this season; Matt 11-15.
Opening and closing music is from the beginning of "Happy Life" by Ryan Andersen from his 2018 album, Americana volume 1. Available here. Licensed by Creative Commons.
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Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com
Matt Parks is an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is a Professor of Politics and the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California. All views expressed in this podcast are their own.
