Is There Hope for the 'Dying Citizen'?

The Augustus and Patricia Tagliaferri Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series was established through an endowment for the School of Public Policy by benefactor Dr. Augustus "Gus" Tagliaferri (MBA '74). From its founding, the School of Public Policy has uniquely considered the role all the liberal arts play in shaping sustainable policy and great leaders. From the beginning of this unique lecture series, we have welcome historians, social scientists, and religious scholars to explore the many dimensions of American policy and politics.

In his latest bestselling book, The Dying Citizen, classicist, Dr. Victor Davis Hanson, explores the challenges to active citizen engagement in the 21st century—from the Administrative State to globalist corporate interests. As the Wall Street Journal noted in its book review: "Mr. Hanson hits hard, but I don’t find his analysis unfair or partisan."

At the heart of the American Project is the self-governing citizen—a person with agency who can influence the public policies impacting everyday life. Whether from the political left or right, public opinion surveys reveal—especially in this COVID-19 era—that Americans feel disconnected from their governing institutions and from one another.

Is there hope?

In this timely talk, offered in SPP's 25th anniversary year, Dr. Hanson will not only help us to better understand these hurdles to self-governance but also what we might learn from history to revive the "dying citizen."

About the Speaker

Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chairs the Military History Working Group. He is a military historian, columnist, former classics professor, and scholar of ancient warfare, and has been a commentator on modern warfare and contemporary politics for various media outlets. He was a professor of classics at California State University, Fresno, and visiting professor at Hillsdale College. He received the Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism (2002) and was awarded the National Humanities Medal (2007) and the Bradley Prize (2008). Hanson is also a farmer and a critic of social trends related to farming and agrarianism and is the author and editor of more than 24 books. His newest book is entitled The Case for Trump (Basic Books, March 2019).

Program

• 6:00 PM - Check-in & General Reception
• 6:30 PM - Welcome and Introductions: Pete Peterson, Dean of Pepperdine School of Public Policy
• 6:40 PM - Featured Speaker: Victor Davis Hanson,  author of The Dying Citizen
• 7:20 PM - Q & A: Pete Peterson & Victor Davis Hanson
• 7:30 PM - Closing: Pete Peterson
• 7:35 PM - The Dying Citizen books available for purchase (optional)