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In a moment in time in which our very democracy is at risk, this First-Year Seminar will investigate why democratic erosion is occurring, its ramifications, and how to address it. It is often assumed that once a country achieves a certain level of economic and political development, democratic consolidation is permanent. Recent trends in American and European politics have led some to question this assumption. Simultaneously, citizens are becoming increasingly doubtful that their government looks out for them, and actually has the ability to solve public problems. This doubt has emerged even more to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6th insurrection, growing inequality, and the US government’s subsequent response. Put more starkly, citizens have begun to question democracy as a governance practice in general. Can the system hold? Has it ever actually worked? Our course will be discussion based, relate to current events, and will explore the dynamics and interplay between the realities of democracy in the US and around the world, social entrepreneurship, social change, and policy.