When the Academy's Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship released Our Common Purpose in 2020, one of its key aims was to reduce the political polarization that divides our nation: “To commit ourselves to constitutional democracy, we must first commit ourselves to – and have faith in – our fellow citizens.” This month, an assassination attempt on former President Trump killed a rallygoer and injured others. This recent tragedy underscores the danger of dehumanizing those with whom we disagree – and the responsibility we all have to foster a stronger sense of common purpose in American civic life. 

The Commission’s Co-chairs, many champion organizations, and other civic and political leaders across the country condemned the political violence. Some of the powerful reflections pointing the way toward a more hopeful future include: 

• Danielle Allen, President, Partners in Democracy: “A peaceful and prosperous democracy depends on each of us committing to non-violence in the conduct of our politics. And even our words matter. We should raise our arguments against ideas, not people.” 

• Stephen Heintz, President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund: “Community is the only antidote to the deep divisions again threatening our democracy.” 

• Citizen University: “Our nation needs a culture shift — a shift in our collective, civic culture away from permitting violence and polarization, and towards healing and connection.” 

• The Johns Hopkins SNF Agora Institute released a statement condemning the assassination attempt that was signed by a bipartisan group of election administrators, scholars, and organizational leaders, including leaders of OCP champions. 

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy compiled statements from dozens of nonprofit and philanthropy leaders. 

• Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour Senior Correspondent and member of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, explored how polarization leads to political violence. 

On September 4, the Academy will host a virtual webinar event on political polarization and violence featuring Paige Alexander, President and CEO, Carter Center; Rachel Kleinfeld, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Marty Smith, Reporter, American Bar Association Task Force on American Democracy. Speakers will place recent events in the broader context of our understanding of political violence and provide information on activities underway to lower the risk of violence.    

DATE: September 4 | 3:00pm-4:00pm ET | Register Here 

On July 17, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences hosted a virtual symposium in partnership with America’s Service Commissions and California Volunteers to discuss the importance of national service to bolstering America’s constitutional democracy and highlight data-driven strategies to make a year of national service a universal experience for young Americans from diverse backgrounds. Goodwin Liu, Representative Doris Matsui (CA-7), Josh Fryday, Pete Peterson, Lisa Garcia Bedolla, Kristen Bennett, and Kaira Esgate discussed the importance of service for strengthening American democracy and reflected on challenges and opportunities to expanding service. Learn more about the Academy’s initiative to advance national service here. A PowerPoint presentation of the data about effective messages is available online. 

On June 27, the Academy convened a diverse, bipartisan group of experts in Washington D.C., including Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Sarah Binder, Stephen McAllister and Judge Diane Wood, for a lively discussion exploring the arguments regarding  Supreme Court Term Limits.  Our Common Purpose (OCP) calls for instituting 18-year terms for Supreme Court Justices by congressional statute, as recently endorsed by President Biden. Learn more about the Academy’s recommendation here. 

Issue One’s Meet the Faces of Democracy series amplifies the stories of election heroes working to protect our system of free and fair elections. The latest installment features Isaac Cramer, Executive Director of the Charleston County, SC Board of Voter Registration and Elections.

The Biden-Harris administration called for reforms to the Supreme Court, including the OCP recommendation for the President to appoint a Justice every two years to spend eighteen years in active service on the Supreme Court.  

A Fox News Poll finds that 78% of Americans, including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, support 18-year term limits for Supreme Court Justices, a 12-percentage point increase from 2022.

In an interview with NPR, Rosie Rios, chair, America 250 planning Commission, discusses the planning underway for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-1) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced a bi-partisan resolution to designate the second Friday in June as National Service and Conservation Corps Day, which aims to honor the significant contributions of service organizations and inspire more Americans to serve.

Shannon Salter, a Pennsylvania civics teacher who worked with OCP Champion iCivics and the Educating for American Democracy initiative to shape civics curriculums nationally, is helping students realize their civic power. 

Actor Matthew McConaughey joined Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Colorado Governor Jared Polis at the National Governors Association summer meeting to discuss how healthy conflict can reduce political polarization – the focus of the Disagree Better campaign.

Launched in 2020 by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to encourage people of all ages to connect with their local election office and learn more about the opportunity to volunteer as a poll worker. 

Youth250, the nationwide effort to bring Gen Z input and perspectives to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, is convening four intergenerational, “imagine and incubate” workshops beginning in August in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City and Indianapolis.

Partners in Democracy is hiring a president & CEO to play a major role in driving democracy renovation forward.