Professor to speak on her book 'Democracy in Chains'

Nancy MacLean, professor of history at Duke University and author of "Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America," will discuss her book at a public lecture at 7-9 p.m. Jan. 7 at Krannert Building, Krannert Auditorium (Room 140). The lecture and subsequent discussion are free and open to the public.

Sponsors of the lecture are the Committee on Peace Studies, the departments of English and Political Science, the School of Languages and Cultures, the American Studies Program, and the Purdue Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

In her book, event publicity says, MacLean traces the intellectual development of the neo-liberal right and its organized connections with wealthy and powerful supporters such as the Koch Brothers, the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation. She argues that selected intellectuals, such as political economist James Buchanan, have promoted an anti-democratic policy agenda and defenses of this agenda in higher education.

MacLean argues that many neo-liberal policy proposals would be opposed if public discourse and majoritarian democracy prevailed. Consequently, she suggests, efforts are made to limit transparency, public discussion, and legislative and electoral participation in major public policies.

More information about the book is available at the publisher’s website.