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Elections and the candidate debates that precede them are lauded as a time-honored tradition of American democracy, allowing for the free and open exchange of ideas and the ability of the public to have a voice in our governance. Yet many public voices have repeatedly questioned the efficacy of voting as a true expression of freedom and democracy, and the legitimacy of official debates to represent the full range of viewpoints beyond the established political party platforms. This exhibit provides an introductory glimpse at some of the marginalized and dissident voices that have spoken up over the years—those who have taken a critical stance on the state of democractic governance and questioned the ability of the general public to truly impact the functions of the state.
Elections and the candidate debates that precede them are lauded as a time-honored tradition of American democracy, allowing for the..
Although the writers of the Constitution distrusted political parties, they have been part of the American political landscape since the..
The free and open exchange of ideas in a democracy requires a free press that can fulfill its role as..
If the right to vote is what grants us our citizenship and political voice, then a democratic government that values..
Anarchy: Freedom without government Anarchism emerged as a cohesive ideology in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, when many citizens saw..