US@250: Why Democracy? With Dr. Joshua Duclos at the Manchester Millyard Museum

Meet us at the Manchester Millyard Museum to help observe the great American experiment! As part of our celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary through the NH Humanities Council’s US@250 program, the Manchester City Library has partnered with the Manchester Millyard Museum to host an examination of the concept of democracy, led by Dr. Joshua Duclos. Democracy is taken to be an obvious good. It often seems like the one thing we can agree on in a political debate. After all, only dictators and fools question the value of democracy...right? And yet, the value of democracy has been challenged again and again throughout history. Great philosophers from Plato to Confucius thought it was a terrible idea, and many contemporary Western political theorists have speculated that democracy may not be as useful or moral as we suppose. For those who believe in the value of democracy (its efficacy and its morality), it is important to analyze, articulate, and explore the arguments in which democracy is grounded. This talk will do three things: (1) explain what democracy is; (2) explain why serious historical and contemporary thinkers have distrusted democracy; and (3) explore the best contemporary arguments in favor of democracy.* The Manchester Millyard Museum is featuring an exhibit about Manchester and the American Revolution April-August 2026, so be sure to check it out! For questions, call David Basora at 603-624-6550 x7643 or email dbasora@manchesternh.gov *https://www.nhhumanities.org/program/why-democracy