The Democracy Forum is a collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Maine and WERU, and is hosted by Ann Luther. It is broadcast on the third Friday of each month, 4-5pm. The February and March shows explore the role of small, rural states in our democracy, and the associated implications of small state bias in the federal government.

Friday, February 17, 4-5pm: Compared to their population, rural states are over-represented in the federal government, from the U.S. Senate to the Electoral College, the Supreme Court, and possibly even the U.S. House. How has the come about; how far can it go? How does this affect Maine? Where is this heading, and what can or should be done about it?

Guests:

• Mark Brewer, Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Maine
• Alexander Keyssar, Matthew W. Stirling Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School

Friday, March 17, 4-5pm: We did our February show on small-state bias in the federal government. For March, we’re asking a follow-up question: Does this small-state bias equate to overrepresentation of rural interests? Does it translate to policies that help rural areas thrive? Are communities in small or rural states actually thriving? Do people in those communities feel like they’re thriving? Does “rural resentment” account for minority rule at the federal level? Senators from small states hold outsize sway in government to the point where they can block measures that the majority of Americans want. How are they using that power? What does it mean for Maine?