The Democracy Project has been working well at George Mason for several years. It allows students to discuss a variety of issues relating to democracy both at home and abroad. It provides a framework for provocative speakers. It fits what seems to be a small but promising trend of increased political awareness and participation by young people. Mason already had a disproportionate number of politically active students, with what various independent surveys identified as an unusually engaged student body. But there is always room to do better, and the Project pushes in the right direction. It fits our region and its builds on existing strengths at Mason.

The Democracy Project has always framed issues in an international context -- this is not simply the American Democracy Project that some other campuses have developed. We're interested in improving how American democracy functions, among other things by encouraging greater participation by students, but the interest doesn't stop at national boundaries. Strengths and problems with democracy in other societies, and the complex impacts of American policy on other regions, are vital topics that the Project embraces -- relying of course on our diverse student body and strong international connections.

Understanding democratic participation, including the noninvolvement of many American young people, and improving its quality are important goals in the world today. The same applies to a better grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of political systems in other societies. The Democracy Project encourages classroom consideration of these topics, but activities outside the classroom as well -- precisely the kind of formula the subjects deserve.

Peter Stearns
Provost