Jackie Acho on The Currency of Empathy
Solutions to the spreading and corrosive lack of social trust that bedevils our society may ultimately come not from institutional reforms or bridge-building efforts but the human super-power of empathy.
Freedom in the World and Democracy in America
Confronting the growing alliance between autocracies in Russia and China may once again push the U.S. to burnish how we practice democracy and chasten our internal rivalries.
Books of the Year for The Art of Association
2021 was a banner year for new books on the challenges facing American democracy and how we might go about addressing them.
The Price of Union Hasn’t Changed
It is unsettling to realize the fate of our democracy will depend on people we disagree with politically granting us forbearance. It may be even more unsettling to realize we are obliged to do the same for them.
Can Social Media Be Saved?
Not too long ago, many of us thought the Internet and the social media it enabled would be a boon for democracy and civil society. Recent years have left that vision in tatters. But maybe it is too soon to give up hope.
Scouts and Soldiers in the Social Sector
We all tend to see the world as we want it to be rather than as it is. Nonprofit advocates and their funders are especially prone to this mistake. We could advance our missions better by adopting what Julia Galef has called the scout mindset.
How One Nonprofit is Helping Government Focus on Outcomes
In the United States, human services to support vulnerable individuals and families are frequently funded by government but delivered by nonprofits. Third Sector is an innovative organization that seeks to transform these public-private partnerships so they engage and result in better outcomes for the people being served.
A New Proposal for Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America
What it would take for the United States finally to reckon with and transcend the scourge of racism? A new book by Theodore Johnson is bringing some powerful ideas into the current debate.
Bye Bye Birdie: Why I Stopped Tweeting and Started Blogging
Twitter proved to be Kryptonite for my attention span. Old-school blogging has helped me detox and get back on track.
Reimagining the Light but Sturdy Ballast of the Pork Barrel
A new approach to congressional earmarks could benefit not only government and politics in Washington but also communities and civil society throughout the country.
Populism vs. Pluralism: The 2020 Election and Its Aftermath
The ransacking of the Capitol on January 6 marked a dramatic escalation in the struggle between populism and pluralism in the United States. Despite the shock of this event, pluralism may be gaining the upper hand.
Post-9/11 Veterans Are Helping Mend Our Social Fabric
In our divided society, the patriotism, servant leadership ethic, and diversity of America’s veterans are force multipliers.
We Are Not As Polarized As We Think
Recent studies suggest the political divisions between Americans are not as wide and as deep as we have been led to believe.
A Playbook for Regaining Our Common Purpose
A recent report makes clear that whatever happens in the 2020 election, we will still have a long way to go to revitalize our democracy. Our Common Purpose shows us how we could get from here to there.
Labor Day Reflections on “The Working Hypothesis”
Oren Cass and American Compass are reorienting public policy to focus on the needs of American workers, their families, and communities. Civil society and our democracy stand to benefit also.
How MomsRising Is Working to Repair Our Democracy
MomsRising exec Donna Norton believes “there is a solidarity in motherhood.” Her organization is using it to combine national advocacy and grassroots civic engagement in powerful new ways.
The Presidency and Civil Society: Will We Revert to the Mean?
The 2020 presidential election will have a profound impact on civil society. The American people select their presidents—and then in turn are shaped by them.
What Good Is Christianity in a Diverse Society?
Michael Wear and Amy Black explore promising new territory in their recent report, “Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life in the United States: Insights from Christian Leaders.”
Could Stronger Parties Be Part of the Solution?
We’ve gotten so used to seeing political parties as a source of our problems, we’ve lost sight of how they could improve democracy and civil society.
The Civic Space vs. The Battle Space
Since George Floyd was killed by the police in Minneapolis, we have witnessed – and many of us have participated in – a contest between divergent views of civil society and its relationship to government.