Democracy, American-Style: "Athens to Now: Why Democracy Matters"
Series: "Democracy, American-Style"
From: Sharon Glassman
Length: 00:02:04
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Also in the "Democracy, American-Style" series
"More Civil Liberties, Less Fear"
(00:01:29)
From: Sharon Glassman
"Anees" (sp?) from Brooklyn says post 9/11 democracy lacks civil liberties
Democracy, American-Style: "Roberts' Rules of Democracy"
(00:02:05)
From: Sharon Glassman
Ted from TX gives us America's "mission statement" by reciting the Preamble to the Constitution and explain how teaching kids how to run meetings helps democracy.
Democracy, American-Style: "Democracy Doctor"
(00:02:02)
From: Sharon Glassman
Bob, a law professor explains why democracy's "big ideas" depend on us -- and offers a prescription.
Democracy, American-Style: "Smaller is Better"
(00:02:05)
From: Sharon Glassman
David, a law professor, explains why democracy works best in smaller units -- like his parents' commune
Democracy, American-Style: "Love and Compromise"
(00:02:07)
From: Sharon Glassman
Steve, a young Detriot politician, and his fiancee', Sharon, talk about why his career democracy involves major compromises -- and why they don't talk about the details at home.
Democracy, American-Style: "You're Always Running"
(00:02:06)
From: Sharon Glassman
Steve, who recently got elected to office in Detroit, and his fiancee', Sharon, lay out the links between dollars and democracy.
Democracy, American-Style: "People Gotta Vote, Man!"
(00:02:05)
From: Sharon Glassman
Donathan, a local singer/songwriter challenges listeners to ditch their complacency and vote!
Democracy, American-Style: "We Don't Have to Agree"
(00:02:04)
From: Sharon Glassman
If democracy is a marketplace of ideas, Judith asks, why are people scared to say what they believe, and so willing to vote for politicians who don't?
Democracy, American-Style: "Sarasota Polls 2000"
(00:02:06)
From: Sharon Glassman
Grace, a Brooklyn-born Democratic poll worker in Sarasota for Election 2000, explains how the experience changed her views on democracy.
Democracy, American-Style: "Mandela...Bush"
(00:02:03)
From: Sharon Glassman
Nadine from South Africa remembers voting for Mandela in 94 and asks, crying: Why don't Americans value democracy more?
Piece Description
Bob, a descendant of the Remsens, a 300-year-old Brooklyn family, explains what democracy is, and why it matters -- historically, and personally -- from ancient Greece through his ancestor's emmigration to America. (See also: Sarasota Polls 2000, narrated by Bob and his wife Grace). One of 15 chats with real people we recorded in front of an apple cider stand we set up in Brooklyn.





Eric Nuzum
Posted on January 21, 2004 at 04:06 PM | Permalink
Review of Democracy, American-Style: "Athens to Now: Why Democracy Matters"
These pieces would make for an interesting drop-in during most types of news/info/call-in/discussion programs to stimulate conversation, reaction, or to provide a perspective that’s honest and markedly different from punditry.
The only problem is the open and close of these pieces, which all identify the two producers (twice—and often more often than the interview subject is introduced). There is a lot of information in those opens and closes, most of it completely unnecessary. They cause verbal overload—in the first few seconds!
This piece in particular also illustrates another occasional concern with this series—often the sound clip lacks sufficient punch or drags on too long. Several (this one especially) go on too long, really diluting the impact of what he says. If this piece was half as long, it would have twice the power.
Also, I think these segments would sound great if several were mixed together. As soon as you hear one, you want to hear the reaction of others.It isn't fair to an interested listener to expect them to catch them elsewhere. If you have their interest--deliver! Don't make them wait.