What is the History of the Public Square?

The concept of the public square has a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to ancient civilizations such as Greece and Rome. In these societies, the public square served as a central gathering place where citizens could come together to discuss politics, exchange ideas, and engage in commerce. In colonial America, public squares…

“Beyond the Public Square: Imagining Digital Democracy”

The Yale Law Journal article “Beyond the Public Square: Imagining Digital Democracy” considers the public square’s modern form and how we can best design a 21st-century public square that improves upon the physical varieties that preceded it.

What is Civil Discourse?

Civil discourse is not simply polite conversation, though courtesy and respect are crucial to it. Civil discourse goes beyond politeness. It is conversation with purpose—that is, constructive dialogue. Though they may disagree, participants in civil discourse are committed to hearing each other’s fact-based opinions and dispassionately evaluating those opinions against their own. Participants enter into…