Richard Haass Demands Citizens to Engage

Those who suspect that they are living today in an endangered democracy would do well to read Richard Haass’ latest best-selling book, “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.”

Locals from the region arrived early at trendy Tent New York in Amenia, N.Y., where Haass was expected to sign copies of his book while attendees enjoyed the conviviality of a concurrent wine tasting provided by Le Caviste of Stanfordville, a draw for wine lovers since 2021. The event was sponsored and promoted by Oblong Books of Millerton, N.Y.

Assessing that the setting was conducive to a deeper conversation, however, Haass pleased the crowd by launching into an impromptu book-based talk about the current state of our democratic form of government, pressures from forces foreign and domestic, and importantly what citizens can do about it.

That conversation was at once informative and provocative, with Haass promising to stay as long as anyone had comments or questions.

“That people came is a tribute to the subject,” Tent owner Darren Henault said to introduce Haass.

“This is a book about Democracy,” Haass said, recalling that the book was two years in the making with many hours spent walking in Central Park and many hours during the pandemic in Stanfordville, N.Y.’s Wilcox Memorial Park to further the thought process.

In a later conversation, Haass’ wife, Susan Mercandetti, indicated that they bought a home in Stanfordville about five years ago and remained there nearly full-time during the pandemic years.

Haass urged attention to the founding of the country and the Bill of Rights. “Rights are central,” Haass said, while also reflecting on Abraham Lincoln’s often quoted phrase “the unfinished work of America,” as a call to committed participation in our democracy.

“Democracy has gotten into trouble,” he said, adding that the question is how to fix it. “These are things that you ought to do,” he said, speaking of the obligations of a good citizen.

“We need a serious conversation about how to get democracy back on track,” he said.

Someone asked, “Am I the only one who is terrified?”

“You’re not alone,” Haass replied, “There is a sense that America is off the rails. My real concern is that democracy will not last. The bottom line is to not be sanguine but to be energized. What can ordinary people do?”

The principle of national service and its value were described by Haass as an antidote to present-day divided America. He would incentivize such a service to make it attractive to young people, possibly through student loan forgiveness or other lures.

“I’m a reformer, not a revolutionary,” Haass explained, looking to find workable solutions to problems.

“We are not teaching our narrative in this country,” Haass said, noting that Civics classes are no longer being taught routinely. He said that there is widespread frustration with the government. Broadcasting has devolved to become narrowcasting to appeal to population segments. “What people think is valid information is often not,” Haass warned.

“Why can’t religious authorities take a stand on promoting civility?” he asked.

Asked whether there is hope, Haass said, “Nothing is inevitable; people make choices and decisions. Sure, I feel hope. The potential is there for us to get it right.”

Political funding is a problem, Haass noted. About money and politics, an attendee said, “Money doesn’t talk; it screams,” particularly citing the Supreme Court ruling that corporate money is a form of political speech.

Haass said that there is the opportunity for greater transparency in political donations. He is also meeting regularly with corporations to advocate for democracy, noting that a few are developing good citizen programs for their employees. More should.

Haass said that he is asking corporations to reform their use of funding. He said that he has found that corporations respond to pressure, as do politicians.

“Gerrymandering is pernicious,” Haass said, in response to concerns about local politics.

Responding to a question about how to promote the study of civics and even to kindle a desire in young people to acquire knowledge, Haass suggested that classes be mandatory, not elective. He noted that in the coming year at Stanford University, every entering freshman will be required to take Civics. And New Jersey schools are moving toward initiating a required course in critical thinking, how to evaluate the quality and intent of information as it reaches them.

Haass reports that the organization he heads in New York, the Council on Foreign Relations, has an educational program titled “World 101” that provides materials free of charge to educators, making learning about the world engaging and interesting. To learn more about that program, go to www.cfr.org.

“Politics and wine: they go hand in hand,” said Leah Papeika of Le Caviste, who joined her husband, Maurice, in dispensing the wine throughout the event.

Henault noted that said that the Haass appearance was probably the fifth book event held at Tent since its opening. There will be more to come, he promised.

Courtesy of Penguin

Courtesy of Penguin