The January 6 Select Committee hearings highlight points of crisis in American democracy, yet the roots of these challenges undeniably precede the Capitol riots given US economic, social and cultural trends. Princeton University professor and political scientist Stephen Macedo's authoritative work on immigration, liberalism, populism, and democratic theory explores such trends. What are the most important economic, social, and cultural trends fueling these tensions in US democracy? What can be done to strengthen and improve American democracy? What are the implications for Australia?
To discuss these issues, the USSC hosted an event featuring Princeton University's Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics, Stephen Macedo in conversation with USSC Director of Research, Jared Mondschein and Director of Engagement and Impact, Mari Koeck.
Professor Stephen Macedo is a Visiting Professor at the Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre (SSSHARC).

Professor Stephen Macedo
Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics, Princeton University
Stephen Macedo is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics and the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University. Stephen Macedo writes and teaches on political theory, ethics, public policy, and law, especially on topics related to liberalism, democracy and citizenship, diversity and civic education, religion and politics, and the family and sexuality.

Jared Mondschein
Director of Research, United States Studies Centre
Jared Mondschein is the Director of Research at the United States Studies Centre. Previously, Jared was a Research Analyst at Bloomberg BNA in Washington, DC, where he focused on cross-border tax issues. Prior to joining Bloomberg BNA, Jared was a Research Associate in the Asia Studies program of the Council on Foreign Relations, an editorial assistant at Foreign Policy magazine, and an assistant editor at a policy journal in Beijing.

Mari Koeck
Director of Engagement and Impact, United States Studies Centre
Mari Koeck is Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at the United States Studies Centre. She leads our engagement and impact team, with an emphasis on agile, multichannel strategies. Her career spans state and federal government in the United States and Australia as well as non-government organisations.