Our weekly op-ed highlight reel
News is the heart of what we're about. But The Fulcrum is also a forum for debate about what's ailing American democracy and what could make the system healthier. So here are the most provocative opinion pieces we've posted this week.
The simple, hopeful message from the mind-boggling and awful assault on democracy
"We have celebrated the hard work and successful efforts of election workers and others around the country who managed to carry out this election under difficult circumstances. But the shameful and deeply irrational response at the Capitol to the election was simply the most recent manifestation of a longstanding movement to subvert our democracy," according to Michael Berkman and Christopher Beem of Penn State.
The Capitol mob was put down. The disinformation spreaders need to be defeated next.
"Elected officials who engage in disinformation must be banned from public life. The Biden administration must take this problem seriously and act now or risk the end of American society," says Josh Berthume of the Truman National Security Project.
More excessive partisanship will make wound from Capitol siege even worse
The institutions that mediate and control the American people's relationship to our democratic republic — the political parties — appear fragile after the events of last week, writes Jacqueline Salit of Independent Voting.
Meanwhile, here are our latest news stories:
Hogan makes last-minute attempt to prevent Democratic gerrymander in Maryland
For educators, a time of opportunity after civic life's current stress test
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Civvys emphasize equity and inclusion in selection of 2020 finalists