“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — The Declaration of Independence, 1776
As we celebrate the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I’m reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s response when asked whether the new nation was a republic or a monarchy, he famously said we’re “a republic, if we can keep it.” The phrase emphasizes that the success of the American experiment in self-governance depends not only on creating a republic but also on the ongoing commitment and effort of its citizens to uphold the principles embedded in our Constitution and other institutions. The World Affairs Council is here to keep us learning about and engaged in the processes of democracy.
It is hard for me to believe that July is here, and summer is passing quickly. World Affairs Council Hilton Head has summer activities for you to remain engaged:
- Book Club –Meets next Thursday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room at Island Rec. The book is Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum. Today’s autocrats are different from the Cold War. There is no single ideology (e.g. Communism vs. Capitalism). Today’s dictators are working together to upend the rule of law and dismantle democratic values. It is a great book to discuss at this time of year, and there’s still time to get the book and read it before next Thursday (only 200 pages). I will be facilitating the discussion and hope to see you there.
- We are going to build on our May “Hot Topics” evening session on Uwith another evening session in August: “Tariffs as Tools: Policy, Politics, and Protectionism: Who pays and who profits?”
The facilitator for the August event will be WACHH Board Member Ben Kinnas, who has over 30 years of experience managing banks in Asia, including roles in Japan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. He has a background in trade, finance, and international supply chain dynamics and will share perspectives on global commerce. Ben will discuss topics such as “How Tariffs Work,” “Who Wins and Who Loses,” and “Alternatives to Tariffs in Promoting Fair Trade.” Details regarding the date and time in August will be posted on the website in the coming weeks, where registration information will also be available.
Our website (WACHH.org) will continue to offer online registration for the Book Club, Hot Topics, and other events. The WACHH membership year runs from June 1 to May 31; renew your membership if you haven't already to register for events. For assistance with renewal or event registration, contact Tracie or Trey at the WACHH office: (843) 384-6758.
Thank you for your support of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head. I hope you are having a great summer and hope to see you at one of our events soon.
Rich Moniuszko
President, Board of Directors
World Affairs Council of Hilton Head
