American democracy is at an inflection point. With voting rights challenged, election results undermined, and even the US Capitol violently attacked, many Americans feel powerless to save their nation’s democratic institutions from the forces dismantling them. Yet, as founders like Benjamin Franklin knew from the start, the health of America’s democracy depends on the actions its citizens are willing to take to preserve it.
To Keep the Republic is a wake-up call about the responsibilities that come with being a citizen in a participatory democracy. It describes the many ways that individuals can make a difference on both local and national levels—and explains why they matter. Political scientist Elizabeth C. Matto highlights the multiple facets of democratic citizenship, identifies American democracy’s sometimes competing values and ideals, and explains how civic engagement can take various forms, including political conversation. Combining political philosophy with concrete suggestions for how to become a more engaged citizen, To Keep the Republic reminds us that democracy is not a spectator sport; it only works when we get off the sidelines and enter the political arena to make our voices heard.
List of Figures
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1 To Keep the Republic
Chapter 2 Thinking Like a Democratic Citizen
Chapter 3 Talking Like a Democratic Citizen
Chapter 4 Voting Like a Democratic Citizen
Chapter 5 Acting Like a Democratic Citizen
Chapter 6 It Depends on Us
Further Reading
Bibliography
Foreword ix
Preface xiii
1 To Keep the Republic 1
2 Thinking Like a Democratic Citizen 9
3 Talking Like a Democratic Citizen 43
4 Voting Like a Democratic Citizen 69
5 Acting Like a Democratic Citizen 101
6 It Depends on Us 137
Further Reading 153
Acknowledgments 159
Notes 163
Bibliography 183
Index 201
