James Davison Hunter's book, "Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America’s Political Crisis," has been awarded the 2024 Roy C. Palmer Prize by Chicago-Kent College of Law. The book, published by Yale University Press in 2024, examines the challenges facing American democracy. Hunter, who is a professor at the University of Virginia, argues that while democracy is under threat, there are differing views on the origins of this conflict and potential solutions.
Hunter is known for introducing the concept of "culture wars" three decades ago. His work continues to analyze cultural divisions and their impact on democracy while suggesting areas where Americans can find unity. He states, "Solidarity is not just about the will to come together to do the work of democratic politics. It is about the cultural preconditions and the normative sources that make coming together possible in the first place."
Despite concerns over increasing partisanship in politics, Hunter offers a hopeful perspective. He writes, "My argument is that all partisans are drawing—albeit differently—from the same cultural sources in the never-ending contest over position."
Hunter is scheduled to present his lecture on April 2, 2025, at Chicago-Kent’s Conviser Law Center from 3–4 p.m. Attendance is free but requires prior registration.
The Palmer Prize was established in 2007 by Roy C. Palmer and his wife Susan M. Palmer to honor scholarship that addresses threats or supports liberal democratic constitutional order. The $10,000 award aims to foster public debate among scholars on issues affecting individual rights and governmental responsibilities globally.