Civic Strength, n.

A culture of commitment to American constitutional democracy and one another (the opposite of polarization).

Meaning:

Broad and deep support for core commitments of constitutional democracy: constitutionalism, rule of law, non-violence, universal inclusion; 

Broad and deep comfort with the practices of pluralism and power-sharing, civil disagreement, reflective patriotism, civic friendship, and collaboration through political institutions.

Vision

America needs a national coalition of philanthropists; civil society organizations; and business, public sector, and thought leaders to help lay a foundation for building our civic strength. Addressing crucial interrelated dimensions of our civic crisis – from poor civic knowledge, low civic engagement, and declining legitimacy of national institutions and professions, to destructive polarization and weakening institutions of civil society—must start from a focus on civic learning.

The solution begins with creating an infrastructure for high quality universal civic learning, where excellent civic learning opportunities are available in the K-12, higher education, and life-long learning sectors and shared across political divides.

  • Danielle Allen
    James Bryant Conant University Professor, Harvard University; Director, Democratic Knowledge Project, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Director, Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, Harvard Kennedy School of Government

    Louise Dubé
    Chief Executive Officer, iCivics/CivXNow

    Rajiv Vinnakota
    President, Institute for Citizens & Scholars (C&S)

  • David Bobb, Bill of Rights Institute

    Jerren Chang, Partners in Democracy, Adult Civic Learning Alliance

    Liz Clay Roy, Generation Citizen

    Gary Edson, More Perfect

    Shamichael Hallman, Urban Libraries Council

    Jane Kamensky, Thomas Jefferson Foundation/Monticello

    James M. "Jay" Lapeyre, Jr., Atlas Society

    Eric Liu, Citizen University

    Josiah Ober, Alliance for Civics in the Academy

    Eboo Patel, Interfaith America

    Laurie Patton, American Academy of Arts & Sciences

    Carol Schneider, Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition

    Julie Silverbrook, The National Constitution Center

    Celina Stewart, League of Women Voters

    Hans Zieger, Jack Miller Center

  • Melody Barnes, Karsh Institute of Democracy, University of Virginia

    Sarah Cross, Stand Together

    Hilary Crow, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

    Jennie Garner, North Liberty Community Library

    Hahrie Han, SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University

    R. Lance Holbert, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania

    Brian Hooks, Stand Together

    Yuval Levin, American Enterprise Institute

    Rev. Johnnie Moore, Jr., Pepperdine University

    Ian Simmons, Democracy House; Blue Haven Initiative

Members