Return of the Citizen

July 15, 2024

Historically, two contrasting meanings of democracy and democratic governance have co-existed within the United States. One emphasizes politicians and government and the other the agency of the people.

Ending Gerrymandering in Ohio: A Conversation with former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor

July 15, 2024

Gerrymandered legislative districts distort democracy and reduce the power of voters to elect their chosen representatives. A former Ohio jurist discusses an effort by a civic organization to reform the redistricting process in her state.

Incivility Anywhere Is a Threat to Civility Everywhere

July 15, 2024

Public incivility and toxic behavior can spread like contagion if unchecked, weakening our ability to collaborate and cooperate to solve the complex challenges our local governments face.

Social Capital, Partisanship and the Need for Bridging and Linking Social Capital: Evidence from COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in the U.S.

July 15, 2024

Social capital, the interpersonal links that allow groups and people to work together, can be a double-edged sword when it comes to vaccinating members of the public against COVID. It can be productive or unproductive, depending on the partisan lens through which it communicates, shares and sustains.

Making Public Meetings More Deliberative

July 15, 2024

Authentic public deliberation seldom happens in the official interactions between citizens and government in America today. But efforts to introduce deliberative discussions in official meetings sometimes meets resistance from political leaders and members of the public.

“Shop Local” Buries the Lede: Thriving Local Business Districts are Vital to a City’s Home Values

July 15, 2024

Shop Local campaigns often miss a great opportunity to connect the dots for community members and show them how their purchasing choices directly affect their own balance sheets in more ways than one.

Books: Making Democracy Count should be at the top of the summer reading list

July 15, 2024

In a new book, academic Ismar Volić examines the mathematics that govern how our election systems work or, more often, don’t work. Although the author is a math professor, the book reads nothing like a math textbook. It stays approachable, even while diving deep into its subject.

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