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Welcome, Democracy Scholars! We are delighted to invite you to American Independence and Identity at 250: Examining Democracy in the United States and Globally. This conference will be hosted at Gordon College on Thursday, June 11-Saturday, June 13, with events in Ken Olsen Science Center, Chase Hall, and Lane Student Center. Join for an optional tour of revolutionary sites in Boston, MA on Sunday, June 14.

Check out the schedule below and get excited for a phenomenal lineup of panel discussions, keynote addresses, and more!
Friday June 12, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Meidan Koresh (Bar-Ilan University)
“Democratic Stability Without Consensus: Religion, Power, and Modus Vivendi in Israel”

This study asks how democracies accommodate religious fundamentalism under conditions of ideological rigidity. It hypothesizes that consociationalism fails where mutual recognition collapses, while Modus Vivendi better explains stability. Using Israel’s conscription, Sabbath, and education conflicts as a most-difficult case, focusing on ultra-Orthodox–state relations, findings show: (1) a de facto Modus Vivendi governs these conflicts; (2) religious fundamentalism catalyzes the breakdown of consensus and the emergence of coercive, non-consensual Modus Vivendi.
Keywords: Modus Vivendi; Consociationalism; Religious Fundamentalism; Democratic Accommodation; Ideological Rigidity
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Tracy Kuperus (Calvin University) & Virginia Beard (Hope College)
“Democratic Accountability: The Role of Parachurch Civil Society Organizations in Kenya"

Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in fostering democratic resilience. But do Kenyan parachurch CSOs (PCSOs) hold the government accountable? We investigate the mainly positive vertical, horizontal and diagonal accountability roles of the leading PCSOs in Kenya: the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK).
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Diane Ziegler (Fuller Theological Seminary)
"Retelling the Story: Reclaiming Theological Language and Its Importance for Democracy"

This paper argues for the reclamation of theological language in our modern moment for the formation and empowerment of citizens in order to nurture and support a more just democracy. The call to language reclamation and models of equipping Christians, as found in the work of John de Gruchy, Elaine Graham, and K. H. Miskotte will be considered.
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DISCUSSANT
Dan Young (Northwestern College-IA)

Speakers
avatar for Meidan Koresh

Meidan Koresh

Ph.D. Candidate in Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University
Ph.D. candidate in Political Studies at Bar-Ilan University. M.A. (with honors) in comparative politics; B.A. in Political Science and Strategy. His dissertation examines Modus Vivendi and consociational democracy through the politics of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox parties. His research... Read More →
avatar for Tracy Kuperus

Tracy Kuperus

Professor of Politics and Economics, Calvin University
Professor Tracy Kuperus has taught political science at Westmont College, Gordon College, and Calvin University. Her research interests include citizen mobilization with a focus on African youth, democratization, and religion and politics. 
avatar for Virginia Beard

Virginia Beard

Professor of Political Science, Hope College
Dr. Virginia Beard is a Professor of Political Science at Hope College. She specializes in African democracy, identity politics, water politics and the role of civil society. She also specializes in public policy with a 2026 book release Housing: The Evolution of Beliefs, Politic... Read More →
avatar for Diane Ziegler

Diane Ziegler

Public Theology PhD Student, Fuller Theological Seminary
Diane is interested in the relationship between the Reformed Tradition and Democracy in South Africa and the United States. Her research focuses on the work of John W. de Gruchy.
avatar for Daniel Young

Daniel Young

Professor of Political Science, Northwestern College-IA
Dan Young is Professor of Political Science at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. His research interests include contemporary political thought, the political theory of international relations, and the intersection of theology and political theory.
Friday June 12, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
KOS 124 (Ken Olsen Science Center)

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