An Evening with Adam Gopnik: Is Liberal Democracy Viable in the 21st Century?

You’re invited to join us for a timely and thought-provoking evening with legendary New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik, as he explores the election results and one of the most pressing questions of our time: Is Liberal Democracy Viable in the 21st Century?

On November 14, Gopnik will visit The Charlotte Center to delve into the challenges and opportunities facing democracies today. Known for his sharp intellect and signature wit, Gopnik’s reflections are always rooted in “the central drama of liberal thought”—that tension between hope and reality, faith and skepticism. Drawing on his vast experience, including his celebrated work in The New Yorker and recent books, he’ll share his thoughts on the election and guide us through a nuanced exploration of what the future holds for democracy in an era of rapid change and division. This promises to be a remarkable opportunity to engage with one of the finest writers and thinkers of our time, just days after the nation heads to the polls.

In his three decades with The New Yorker, Gopnick has written fiction, memoirs, critical essays, and reported pieces from at home and abroad. He was the magazine’s art critic from 1987 to 1995, and the Paris correspondent from 1995 to 2000. A three-time winner of the National Magazine Award for Essays and for Criticism. In January 2021 he was named a chevalier of the Legion D’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award.

An international bestselling author, his newest book is All That Happiness Is (2024). He is also the author of A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventures of Liberalism (2019). Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most eloquent voices of our time as we navigate the complexities of modern governance and civic life.