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A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy

American democracy is under threat. Do you have what it takes to be a good citizen? Join Preserving Democracy as we dig into the ten habits of good citizens in a new digital series, A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy. Explore real-life examples of Americans who are striving to build a healthier democracy and who embody the spirit of a more informed and engaged citizenry — one person at a time.  

Based on “The Bill of Obligations: Ten Habits of Good Citizens,” by author and diplomat Dr. Richard Haass and the feature-length PBS documentary, A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy from The WNET Group’s Preserving Democracy initiative. Stream the full length documentary here

More From A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy

Be a Good Citizen. Tips from Diplomat Richard Haass

November 1, 2024 | Video

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.

We the People

October 28, 2024 | Video

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…

Overseas and at home, these veterans are putting country first

July 4, 2024 | Video

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.

Teach Civics: ‘Schools should be incubators for democracy’

June 12, 2024 | Video

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

June 5, 2024 | Video

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…