The third of our series, Constitutional Crisis?, presented in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, addressed liberalism and conservatism, and how we have come to be in our present state of political polarization.

Professor Anthony Gierzynski, chair of the UVM Political Science Department, gave a brief history of how, over the last fifty years, party loyalty has surpassed the com-mon good in political action, and how the public as well has self-sorted into more extreme positions. Gierzynski has made his graphic depiction of these changes over time available to us. Send you request to catherine.rader [at] myfairpoint.net if you would like a copy.

A lively discussion with a small but engaged audience followed. Gierzynski warned of the potential for violence result-ing from the current political situation. He said the answer is critical analysis of the information flooding the media, careful evaluation of sources, and bringing a healthy skepticism, rather than cynicism, to our response.

The last in the series, on the impact of single-issue politics on the political proccess, will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the library.