Resources
Democracy and Well-Being
Living in a thriving democracy is essential for our individual and societal well-being. The freedom to make our own choices about how we live our lives and the ability to express ourselves are fundamental to our happiness. Research clearly shows that happiness is higher in democratic countries. But democracy is not a spectator sport. Each one of us is responsible for doing our part to preserve, protect and defend our democracy for our own well-being and that of our fellow citizens. Our democracy is in jeopardy, and we hope the current political climate will compel each of us to become more involved. If you wondering what you can do, here are some suggestions and resources:
What can you do right now???
– Register to Vote, then VOTE!! (Don’t forget off-year elections and special elections for vacated seats.)
– Write to your national, state and local representatives about issues you care about. Tell them what to do because they work for US.
– Go to a town hall to express your views to your elected representatives in person.
– Volunteer to help the political campaign to elect someone you support.
– Attend public hearings (many are now online).
– Submit public comments.
– Sign up to receive information from an organization you support and sign their petitions.
– Donate to an organization that works to protect democracy.
– Participate in a boycott.
– Join a protest.
– Talk to friends and family about taking action to preserve democracy.
Stay informed!!
Thomas Jefferson reflected the American Founders’ conviction when quoted as saying, “A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.” They understood that self-government requires informed citizens who actively participate in civic life for their well-being and the well-being of the nation.
– Subscribe to a reliable news outlet (one that checks their facts and sources).
– Stay abreast of the daily news and search out news sources that explain the big picture of what it all means. Follow Supreme Court and other judicial cases where constitutional issues are debated..
– Learn to spot Mis- and Disinformation. (Misinformation: statements made in error unintentionally and spread my mistake. Disinformation: falsehoods spread deliberately to deceive people.)
– Read an opposing opinion on a topic you care about.
USAFACTS: nonpartisan website that makes public data accessible on the issues driving current debates. High reliability and low bias ratings.
https://usafacts.org/
VOTEBEAT: nonprofit newsroom providing reporting on elections and voting at the local and national levels and publishes stories that help debunk conspiracy theories.
https://www.votebeat.org
Resources for Taking Action to Preserve Democracy:
The League of Women Voters (LWV): a nonpartisan, grass roots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. The League empowers voters and defends democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels. Everyone welcome – not limited to women:
https://www.lwv.org
LWV: State of Democracy 2025 video:
Braver Angels: dedicated to depolarization, the organization’s mission is “bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic”. Braver Angels is dedicated to reviving the communal spirit of American democracy through workshops, debates and other events where grassroots “red” (conservative) and “blue” (liberal) participants strive for mutual understanding attempt and discover their shared values.
https://braverangels.org
Indivisible: a grassroots movement of thousands of groups activating constituent power to defend democracy.
https://indivisible.org
State Democracy Defenders Fund: goes on offense against democracy deniers who break the law; works with national, state and local allies to defend in real-time the foundation of our democracy – free and fair elections; and helps shape the long-term strategy to defeat autocracy.
https://statedemocracydefenders.org/fund/
State Democracy Defenders Action: provides resources such as the American Autocracy Threat Tracker and panel discussions on Autocracy in America, to include responses to autocracy in America.
https://statedemocracydefenders.org
“So You’ve Marched and Signed Petitions. Now What?”, by Jenny Shalant, January 19, 2018, NRDC.
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/youve-marched-and-signed-petitions-now-what
How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt, 2018, New York: Crown.
Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, 2020, Cambridge, MA: American Academy of Art and Sciences. Provides recommendations on specific actions to take to revitalize American democracy.
https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report
“Why civil resistance works: The strategic logic of nonviolent conflict” by M.J. Stephan & E. Chenoweth. International Security, 33, (1), Summer 2008, 7-44.
https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/isec.2008.33.1.7
Resources for Learning More About American Democracy:
The U.S. National Archives: Read the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The Archives hosts Founders Online, a database containing thousands of documents, including letters and journals to and from the Founders showing the development of the ideas of democracy and the formation of the Republic.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs
National Constitution Center (NCC): in Philadelphia, PA, serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate. NCC provides a myriad of resources on the U.S. Constitution, including the Founder’s Library with original source documents which inspired the founders. The NCC explains how the Constitution applies to modern political issues, including a podcast discussing current events in the context of our founding documents and principles.
https://constitutioncenter.org
Mount Vernon: George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, VA. Contains numerous excellent videos and other resources.
https://www.mountvernon.org
Protect Democracy: Monitors the state of American democracy and threat levels to it.
https://protectdemocracy.org
Brennan Center for Justice: at New York University (NYU) School of Law, is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to reform, revitalize – and when necessary, defend – America’s systems of democracy and justice.
https://www.brennancenter.org
Freedom House: includes “Freedom in the World” annual report on global political rights and civil liberties (including Freedom in the World 2025: The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights”) and policy recommendations.
https://freedomhouse.org
Journal of Democracy: published for the National Endowment for Democracy by the Johns Hopkins University Press, Washington, D.C.
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org
The U.S. Constitution: Explained – Clause by Clause – For Every American Today, annotated by Ray Raphael, 2016, New York, NY: Vintage Books.
A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution, by Carol Berkin, 2002, Orlando: Harvest.
Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May to September 1787, by Catherine Drinker Bowen, 1986, Boston, MA; Bay Back Books.
The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, by Jeffrey Rosen, 2024, New York, NY; Simon & Schuster.
Justice Kennedy on the U.S. Constitution Article II, the Executive Branch and George Washington (17:36 minutes):
