Be a Good Citizen. Tips from Diplomat Richard Haass
Author and diplomat Richard Haass shares his quick “Haass Takes” on the 10 essential obligations of citizens that can help to heal a divided country and preserve American democracy.
A Citizen's Guide to Preserving Democracy
We the People
This feel-good animated short celebrates the spirit of America and this country's democracy, which was built on the foundation that “We the People” are the source of our government’s power. Individuals can have a say in creating the kind of…
Teens take Montana to court over fossil fuels’ impact on climate change
As the smoke from a nearby wildfire billowed over the town of Helena a few weeks ago, 16 young people walked into the Montana Supreme Court — to listen as attorneys representing their state argued against them.
Inside the workshops teaching friends, neighbors and political foes to compromise
The U.S. is facing a deep crisis of polarization that is threatening our democracy. From the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol to the recent assassination attempt against Donald Trump, we are seeing that the increasingly bitter, ugly language…
Value Norms: Election workers tame doubts about the electoral process, one tour at a time
In Part Two of our “Value Norms” reporting, A Citizen’s Guide visits Boulder County, Colorado, where the Clerk and Recorder, Molly Fitzpatrick, and her staff are implementing programs that provide the general public with a nuts and bolts look at…
Value Norms: Amid record turnover, election officials are prepping for November
Elections are integral in a democracy and the expectation of free and fair elections is a norm. But more than ever, election officials are finding themselves on the front lines where ballots are disputed and the electoral process is questioned.…
Overseas and at home, these veterans are putting country first
In contemporary American politics, the concept that we’re all Americans first, and political party second, has waned in recent decades. But that idea is more important than ever as we take on internal and external threats to our democracy.
Meet the AmeriCorps members increasing internet access in rural towns
Public trust in the government is near historic lows, according to the Pew Research Center. Today, 35% of Democrats say they trust the federal government, compared with 11% of Republicans. But things don't have to stay this way. Through grassroots…
Teach Civics: ‘Schools should be incubators for democracy’
Often called “the father of American education,” Horace Mann argued that free, standardized schooling was key to self-governance, calling education the “great equalizer of the conditions of men.” A curriculum emphasizing the understanding of civics was core to that argument.…
Meet the teen fact checkers taking on online misinformation
How do we know if a fact is really a fact? We’re surrounded by online information bubbles on social platforms like Facebook, X and TikTok. But do we really have the digital literacy skills to discern what is real? The…