Our Compelling Interests: The Value of Diversity for Democracy and a Prosperous Society

About the Book

From the Back Cover

"Lewis and Cantor have assembled a remarkable slate of top-tier talents to offer insights on a topic of utmost significance--the fact and value of diversity in a twenty-first-century world. Making it clear that a demographic revolution is upon us, this illuminating and riveting book offers new ways of seeing and thriving in a world hurtling toward the future."--Henry Louis Gates Jr., Harvard University

"The United States is irrevocably becoming more diverse from racial, ethnic, religious, language, intermarriage, and country-of-origin perspectives. In what ways is this growing diversity a strategic advantage for the country? Our Compelling Interests contains essays prepared by leading scholars who have done fundamental research on the value of diversity for a more democratic and prosperous society. Whether optimistic or pessimistic, the contributions in this book are a must-read and raise issues that we all need to confront honestly and aggressively."--Paul L. Joskow, president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

"Our nation's unofficial motto is e pluribus unum--out of many, one. America's diversity has enriched our economy, culture, and well-being, making the United States strong and dynamic. However, as America grows even more diverse, tensions have grown too. In light of this troubling trend, we are in dire need of thoughtful commentary and objective research that cuts across the rhetoric. Our Compelling Interests does exactly that. Presenting the value of diversity for our society in a measured, thought-provoking way, this excellent work should be widely read."--Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York

"From my vantage point in Miami, which already looks like America's majority-minority future, it is easy to accept the research and arguments in Our Compelling Interests. This essay collection shows that diversity can be an economic strength, but the book goes even deeper, asking whether democracy can flourish without successfully connecting people in a society so diverse it defies our traditional definitions. These questions are at the core of who we are and who we want to be."--Alberto Ibarguen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

"Earl Lewis and Nancy Cantor have produced an essential book--something that is both transparently important and timely."--Jelani Cobb, staff writer for The New Yorker