DEMOCRACY

Program 03-11-09-A

Listen!

To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio

What would you die for? And, what are you willing to kill for? Democracy? In this hour of To The Best Of Our Knowledge the meaning of democracy. We’ll hear from writers Alice Walker, Sherman Alexie, Isabel Allende, and Margaret Atwood chime in. Also, tomorrow’s citizens. Are schools giving children lessons in apathy or an apprenticeship in freedom? And, Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International, on why democracy may be the wrong idea for a developing country.

SEGMENT 1:

Fareed Zakaria is the editor of Newsweek International magazine and the author of "The Future of Freedom: Liberal Democracy at Home and Abroad." He talks with Steve Paulson about how free elections are not the answer for the third world. To become successful democracies, they must first establish the rule of law and a functioning constitutional process. Only then can democracy flourish. Also, Sherman Alexie, whose latest book of short stories is called "Ten Little Indians," says a president you can't stand is proof that the system works because you can vote him out in four years. Constant change is what democracy is all about.

SEGMENT 2:

About a year ago, independent producer Karen Michel moved from Brooklyn to Pleasant Valley, New York, near the Hudson River. She prepared this piece as a way of getting to know her new neighbors. She visits a variety of locations in her community and asks people what they live for, what they would die for, and what they are willing to kill for. (click here to take the survey yourself) Also, Alice Walker recites her poem "Patriot." Her latest book is "Absolute Truth in the Goodness of the Earth."

SEGMENT 3:

Rob Richie is executive director of the Center for Voting and Democracy. He tells Jim Fleming how the system of instant run off voting works and why a lot of people, including John McCain and Howard Dean, think it's a good idea. Want some help figuring out how it works? Try this link: The Muppets Vote! Also, Isabel Allende, whose new book is "My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey," explains why events in the United States since September 11, 2001 remind her of what happened in her native Chile when her uncle, the President of Chile, was assassinated. Also, Dennis Donovan is the national organizer for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship. He tells Anne Strainchamps about his work with school children, teaching them how to get involved in the democratic process. And, Margaret Atwood offers her take on the future of democracy.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-11-09-A.

...............................................................

Books:

• Fareed Zakaria, The Future of Freedom: Liberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
  (Norton)
  
• Alice Walker, Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth (Random House)
  
• Isabel Allende, My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey Through Chile (Harper Collins)
  
• Sherman Alexie, Ten Little Indians (Grove Press)
  
• Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (Doubleday)

Music:

• John Lennon "Power to the People"
• All music beds come from the following Radiohead CDs:
• "Hail to the Thief"
• "Amensiac"
• "Kid A"
• "Ok Computer"
• "The Bends"

Distribution dates:

week of 11/09/2003 - hour 1

Listen!

................................................................

Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

our shows :: about us :: search :: home