About this episode

Dr. Larry N. Gerston discusses Trumpism and offers solutions to preserve American democracy.

What is Trumpism and how long will it last? A new book by political scientist and author Dr. Larry N. Gerston defines Trumpism as an ideology that preceded Trump’s election and will outlast his political career. He says we need to explore solutions to problems that have long plagued contemporary American democracy. Gerston says deep-rooted pain points in U.S. governance gave rise to and were exacerbated by Trumpism—discrimination, voter disenfranchisement, and corruption—as well as key areas of government and society that he says Trumpism endangers: political institutions, civic culture and community, law and order, and public education. These are all issues he explores in his newest book, Overcoming Trumpism: How to Save American Democracy, in which Gerston offers a combination of solutions to preserve American democracy: repair its battered institutions, assure a free and responsible press, and restore public participation in democratic society. He says an invested and attentive public will be necessary to restore a strong democratic tradition in this country. Gerston, who taught at San Jose State University and was a long-time on-air political analyst for NBC Bay Area, has…

People in this episode

Host: Commonwealth Club of California

Guest: Dr. Larry N. Gerston

Topics covered

• Trumpism
• American democracy
• political institutions
• civic culture
• voter disenfranchisement
• public education

Keywords

• Trumpism
• American democracy
• political institutions
• voter disenfranchisement
• public education
• civic culture
• corruption
• political infrastructure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Commonwealth Club of California, NBC Bay Area

Books & works: Overcoming Trumpism: How to Save American Democracy

Places: United States, San Jose State University

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