Emancipation’s Complicated History, with Kris Manjapra

Emancipation in America is often presented as a single and singular undertaking. But Professor Kris Manjapra’s new book, Black Ghost of Empire, complicates that story by situating America’s national emancipation in a long line of global emancipations–including the first emancipations, which occurred in America’s North in the late 18th century–that were in many ways structured to benefit…

The Museum as Civic Space, with Dr. Anthea Hartig

What is the museum’s role in society? How does – and can – the museum function as a civic space? Dr. Anthea Hartig, the first woman director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, recently sat down with Civics for Life to briefly discuss these and other questions. Transcript About the Speaker Anthea…

John Locke: The 17th Century Philosopher who Shaped American Thought

In her book America’s Philosopher: John Locke in American Intellectual Life, Claire Rydell Arcenas seeks to better understand and illuminate the crucial 17th century philosopher by showing how he influenced Americans at different historical moments. Widely known as the founding father of modern “liberal” thought, Locke pioneered the ideas of natural law, social contract, religious toleration, and the right to revolution that proved…

The Pros and Cons of Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting

Do open primaries and ranked choice voting have the potential to improve American elections, or will they create more problems than they solve? Kevin Meyer, former lieutenant governor of Alaska; Steve Goldstein, executive director of Save Democracy AZ; and Jaime Molera, former Arizona superintendent of public instruction, join the O’Connor Institute Civics for Life webcast to discuss the issue.

Gerrymandering in America, with Nick Seabrook

In his book One Person, One Vote, Nick Seabrook, an authority on constitutional and election law, examines the question of gerrymandering—that is, the intentional drawing of electoral districts for political gain. Seabrook looks at the history of gerrymandering, which he believes is “a uniquely American phenomenon,” and how new technologies have made the practice far more…

Socrates, Alcibiades, and ‘The Quest for Character,’ with Massimo Pigliucci

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Native Americans and the Founding Fathers

Did tribal governments and indigenous political theories affect the Founding Fathers and the United States Constitution? If so, how? Robert James Miller makes the case that the Founding Fathers, the United States Constitution, and perhaps even larger political ideas generally associated with Europe were impacted by tribal governments and indigenous political theories. Professor Miller identifies…

Art’s Role in Civil Society, with Jed Perl

In his book Authority and Freedom: A Defense of the Arts, Jed Perl argues that “authority and freedom are the lifeblood of the arts.” Are they also the lifeblood of civil society—and especially democratic society? View our discussion below on the relationship between art and society, the artist’s role in society, and whether art and…

The Future of the Court

The Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States was formed by President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14023 in April 2021. The Commission’s purpose was to provide an analysis of the principal arguments in the contemporary public debate for and against reforming the Supreme Court, including an appraisal of the merits and legality…

Equality and Justice for All

ENRICHING AMERICA’S STORIES:Expanding Diverse Collection With Distinguished Guest Speaker DR. CARLA HAYDEN14th Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden is the 14th Librarian of Congress in our nation’s history, serving in three presidential administrations. Dr. Hayden will discuss the 13th Amendment ratified by Congress in 1865 and signed by President Abraham Lincoln as well as “Of…