Eric L. Davis, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Middlebury College, will give a talk titled "Political Polarization in the United States: Causes and Consequences" on Wednesday, October 25rh at 1:30 pm. The doors open at 1:00 pm and the program starts promptly at 1:30 pm. Refreshments are served immediately following the presentation.
The talk will be at the Town and Country Resort at 876 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT. The cost is $5.00 for non-members.

This is the eighth of nine lectures hosted by the Lamoille Valley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute this fall.

Political polarization has increased over the past 15 to 20 years, and is now at an all-time high. Some of the causes of polarization are structural, such as gerrymandered districts, campaign finance "reforms", and changes in the presidential nomination process. Other causes are social, such as educational, residential and marriage patterns and the decline of non-political organizations such as churches and clubs. Another cause is changes in media use resulting from technological changes in media industries. The consequences of polarization are a dysfunctional political system oriented toward short-term solutions in the face of serious policy problems that require longer-term action.

The last OLLI presentation of the Fall semester is next Wednesday, November 1st. Rob Mermin, founder of Circus Smirkus, will present Silents Are Golden: A Celebration of Silent Cinema.