The Fragile Republic: Lessons on Political Violence from the Founding to Today

Overview

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, political violence once again tests the strength of our democratic institutions and civic culture. What can we learn from the early republic’s own battles with factionalism and unrest, and how can those lessons guide us today?

Join the R Street Institute for a thought-provoking conversation with an exceptional panel of historians, journalists, and policy leaders. Together, they will explore how the founders confronted political violence, how those challenges echo in today’s polarized environment, and what practical steps can help strengthen democratic norms and protect civic life for the next 250 years.

R Street Institute’s America 250 project is part of a series marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, with prior events exploring the ideas that shaped America at its founding and the landscape of electoral reform and what it means for American democracy. Subscribe to stay up-to-date on our America 250 project and check out our other work and events in the series.

Agenda

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks by R Street Institute Executive Director, Erica Schoder 

2. Affairs of Honor: An examination of the history of political violence and discontent in the United States, tracing its roots back to the nation’s founding.
Speakers:
Joanne B. Freeman, Professor of History, Yale University
Sabrina Schaeffer, Vice President of Public Affairs, R Street Institute

3. The Roots of Political Rage: A discussion examining the underlying causes of political anger and division in America today.
Speakers:
Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO, FIRE
Peter Savodnik, Senior Editor, The Free Press
Noah Rothman, Senior Writer, National Review
Lisel Petis, [Moderator] Director of Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties, R Street Institute

4. Overcoming Polarization: A conversation on how to move beyond polarization by learning to engage across differences and “disagree better.”
Speakers:
Tom Rosshirt, Chief Strategist and Director of Research, and Co-creator of the Dignity Index
Michael Shipler, Vice President of Strategy, Search for Common Ground
Lisel Petis, [Moderator] Director of Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties, R Street Institute

Featuring

[Opening Remarks] Erica Schoder, Executive Director, R Street Institute

[Moderator] Sabrina Schaeffer, Vice President, Public Affairs, R Street Institute 

[Moderator] Lisel Petis, Policy Director, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, R Street Institute

Joanne B. Freeman, Professor of History and American Studies, Yale University

Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Peter Savodnik, Senior Editor, The Free Press

Michael Shipler, Vice President, Strategy, Search for Common Ground

Noah Rothman, Senior Writer, National Review

Tom Rosshirt, Chief Strategist & Director of Research, Co-creator of the Dignity Index