The annual contest, which Stephen L. Green ’59, PM ’05, founded in 2010, challenges Hartwick students to write an essay that answers the prompt, “What is your assessment of the state of democracy in the United States, and what are three specific things you recommend in order to strengthen American democracy?”
“Mr. Green founded this contest because he is interested in effective government and concerned about the future of our democracy,” said Elder. “This competition very much fulfills the spirit of his goals by inspiring our students to wrestle with important issues in American government and democracy.”
Mahn’s essay opened by describing the moment he had to block his friend on social media. “We must begin saving American Democracy,” he wrote. “For if we don’t, many other ruined friendships, and, much worse, capital riots and political violence will become commonplace in our nation.”
His essay focused on “social capital,” or finding common spaces to exist in, whether they’re parks, bowling leagues, walkable spaces and storefront shopping. He wrote: “(Online shopping) makes the shopping experience that much more individualistic, as there is no opportunity to stop and interact with someone outside of your social circle.”
He proposed that investing in these kinds of social infrastructure would bring people back together.
