Impact of Social Media on the Capacity of Self-Government in a Democracy
Impact of Social Media on the Capacity of Self-Government in a Democracy
Distinguished Visiting Speaker: Wendy Schiller, Ph.D.
As our federal and state governments take on more responsibilities with larger budgets and expanded policy programs, voters have more to keep track of when assessing government performance. The diverse and fragmented media environment makes that more difficult, and harder to find factual information that is not distorted. Distorted social media information makes it more difficult for elected officials to do their jobs and discourages people from entering politics. This lecture by political analyst Wendy Schiller will include proposals to help voters assess their government, counter social media disinformation, and reflect on the future of the American democracy in the 21st century.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State Street, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $15/person or $25 with a guest
Parking: lot behind building, State Street, 33rd Street, 32nd Street, French Street
Wendy Schiller, Ph.D., is the Royce Family professor of teaching excellence at Brown University. She is also a professor of political science, International and Public Affairs, and director of the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy at Brown. She completed her undergraduate work in political science at the University of Chicago, served on the staffs of U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and New York Governor Mario Cuomo, and then earned her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. After fellowships at the Brookings Institution and Princeton University, she came to Brown in 1994. She teaches popular courses titled “The American Presidency,” “Introduction to the American Political Process,” and “Gender and Public Policy.” Schiller authored or co-authored three books, one edited volume, and one Introductory to a textbook on American Politics. Her latest book, “Inequality Across State Lines: How Policymakers Have Failed Domestic Violence Victims in the United States,” was published by Cambridge University Press in March 2023. She has also published many articles in major American political science journals and offers political commentary to local and national news outlets.
