This month's papers deal with two different approaches to "saving democracy" in the modern age. Examining historical and contemporary arguments, the presenters offer new insights into ongoing efforts to increase democratic participation in modern societies.

Alexander Arnold (History, NYU): "Democratic Economic Governance in an Era of Crisis: The Limits and Possibilities of the Economic Thought of the French New Left"

ALEXANDER'S PAPER DISCUSSES the development of the economic thought of autogestion, a radically democratic movement within the French New Left that sought to give workers more control over the economy. Focusing on the work of one of the movement's most prominent intellectuals, Pierre Rosanvallon, the paper analyses the limits and possibilities of autogestionaire theories of economic governance, property, institutions, and economic crisis.

Ashley Gorham (Political Science, UPenn): "The Well-Informed Citizen: A Critique"

SCHOLARS HAVE CELEBRATED the information revolution, especially political scientists studying electoral politics, deliberative democracy, and social movements. Ashley's paper suggests an alternative, arguing that information potentially enhances democracy while also threatening to supplant it.