The Crisis of Legitimacy

Abstract

“These three elements of the American ethos—deep beliefs, pluralist variety, and free democratic institutions—provided the framework for the dynamic, national development during the first 200 years of our history. What seems to be happening now is that both belief and diversity have declined in our society, and the waning of these two… may be undermining, if not destroying, the ability of democracy to survive in America… Paradoxically, I find today in Russia signs of a fresh vitality in the three areas of American values where I have felt a certain erosion at home.”