Co-founder of the public policy center Demos

The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead

A new scandal hits the headlines every week.  In every conceivable area, cheating has increased over the past two decades.  Americans are cheating more than ever before, and they're feeling less guilty about it.  If 'everybody does it', or everybody imagines that everybody does it, then a cheating culture has emerged.

Why all the cheating? And why now?

Using real-world examples, David Callahan, co-founder of the think tank Demos, connects the dots. Rampant cheating in American society is symptomatic of a profound moral crisis that reflects deep economic and social problems.  A harsh dog-eat-dog market and soaring income gaps have corroded our values, he argues, and threaten to corrupt the equal opportunity we cherish. Those who Callahan dubs “the Winning Class” have enough money and clout that they can cheat without consequences – while many in the “Anxious Class” believe that cheating is the only way to succeed in a winner-take-all world.  The incentives for cheating have never been higher.

Working from numerous interviews and extensive data, Callahan conducts a gripping tour of cheating in America and makes a powerful case for why it happens, and why it matters.  He presents an eye-opening look at cheating, from the classroom to the boardroom, to the playing field.

Widespread cheating is undermining some of our most important ideals.  A real conversation about cheating is the first step towards dismantling the cheating culture.  David Callahan facilitates that conversation and calls for a new commitment to ethical behavior. He inspires audiences to strengthen codes of ethics;  to lead an assault on entrenched cheating in corrupt institutions; to play by the right rules rather than the 'real rules'.

Additional lecture topics include:  'Honest Business in a Dishonest World', 'Honesty in Academics', 'The Ethical Leader', and others.

DAVID CALLAHAN is co-founder of the public policy center Demos, where he is a senior fellow.  He is the author of seven books including The Cheating Culture and The Moral Center:  How We Can Reclaim Our Country From Die-Hard Extremists, Rogue Corporations, Hollywood Hacks, and Pretend Patriots.  His articles have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today. He received a Ph. D. in politics from Princeton University.  David Callahan lectures frequently about issues of ethics and integrity to universities, associations, and businesses.

The Response

"It was our pleasure to have David speak. His reading and discussion truly challenged members of the audience."
Eric D. Kupferberg
Assistant Director of Public Programs
Harvard Medical School

"David's presentation was thought-provoking and engaging for students and faculty alike. I highly recommend him for all audiences interested in the state of ethics today, in the academy and beyond."
Christopher B. McLaughlin
Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Duke Law School

Vistit: Demos.org