On Saturday November 7 th at 1:30 in the afternoon, Meg Mott will lead a fresh-air discussion at
the Moore Free Library on the Passions of Freedom. Voters and non-voters across the political
spectrum are invited to consider the emotional costs of freedom in a constitutional democracy.
Meg Mott, professor emeritus at Emerson College, developed the Debating Our Rights series
after the 2016 election. For this post-2020 election discussion, the focus will be on the political
theory behind those fundamental freedoms. The first four Articles of the Constitution impede
any concentration of power through a clever design known as checks and balances. How do our
freedoms fit into this design?
“The Framers,” explained Mott, “were aware that the experiment of self-governance could
easily be corrupted by the passions. They attached the Bill of Rights in order to allay specific
fears about political power. Too much fear and no one would engage with the new democracy.
Too much hope and the experiment would collapse under unrealistic expectations. Democracy
requires individuals to manage their hopes and fears.”
While participants will have a chance to share some of their feelings about the election, the
focus will be on the habits needed to channel those feelings into democratic engagement. How
can we manage our hopes and fears for the good of the country?
Due to the on-going Covid pandemic, participants should arrive with masks. Seating will be
arranged according to “germ pods.” In case of inclement weather, the event will take place on
Sunday, November 8 at 1:30 pm.
