A Letter from the President Emeritus of the American Academy

The Academy’s commitment to fostering a robust civic culture is a cornerstone of our mission, a pursuit that took on new energy in 2018 with the inception of the bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship. The Commission’s seminal 2020 report, Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, offers an invigorating blueprint for nurturing a culture deeply engaged with the principles of American constitutional democracy. It introduces a transformative theory of change: a flourishing constitutional democracy is sustained by a virtuous cycle in which responsive political institutions cultivate a vibrant civic culture of participation and responsibility that, in turn, ensures our institutions remain responsive and inclusive.

The Commission’s work revealed a poignant truth of our times: amid the currents of deep-seated polarization, Americans palpably yearn for authentic opportunities to assemble, deliberate, and engage in dialogue with one another. Recognizing this, the Commission underscored the imperative not just to broaden civic bridging opportunities, but also to kindle a resilient civic faith. For American democracy to thrive, Americans have to believe that their contributions and participation in our democracy can make a difference.

Historically, the importance of a healthy civic culture as the lifeblood of American constitutional democracy has been well acknowledged. Yet efforts to revitalize civic culture have not been as vigorous as those aimed at reforming political institutions. To address this imbalance, the Academy convened the Working Group on Defining Civic Culture in spring 2023. This dedicated group has produced a comprehensive and accessible publication that elucidates the “what, why, and how” of civic culture. It is a guide to the norms, values, habits, narratives, and rituals that embody a thriving civic life. The Academy is deeply grateful to the members of the working group for their unwavering commitment, intellectual generosity, and the spirit of bipartisanship they brought to bear on this endeavor. Their months of thoughtful deliberation have culminated in a consensus that is not only a testament to their collective wisdom but is also a beacon that will guide our efforts to fortify our constitutional democracy for the benefit of all Americans. The insights and recommendations contained in the subsequent pages are a call to action for each of us. As we move forward, let us do so with the understanding that our collective efforts are vital to the enduring strength and vitality of our democratic institutions.

Special thanks go to Eric Liu of Citizen University, who cochaired the Commission and chaired the working group, and whose leadership has been invaluable to both. Thank you to the other cochairs of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship—Danielle Allen of Harvard University and Stephen Heintz of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund—for their leadership and support as the Academy works to advance the recommendations in Our Common Purpose. Thank you to Kayla DeMonte of Citizen University and Caroline Jany of the Aspen Institute for their thought partnership and collaboration on engaging civic culture practitioners during the working group’s tenure. Thank you also to the Academy staff who served this working group and contributed to this publication, including Phyllis Bendell, Key Bird, Jonathan Cohen, Alison Franklin, Zachey Kliger, Abhishek Raman, Scott Raymond, Peter Robinson, Betsy Super, and Peter Walton.

Finally, the Academy’s ongoing work to advance the Our Common Purpose recommendations would not be possible without the generous support of the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Suzanne Nora Johnson and David G. Johnson Foundation, the Clary Family Charitable Fund, Alan and Lauren Dachs, Sara Lee Schupf and the Lubin Family Foundation, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, David M. Rubenstein, and Patti Saris. Many thanks to these supporters for their belief in this work and for their ongoing commitment to strengthening American democracy.

Sincerely, 
David W. Oxtoby 
President Emeritus, American Academy of Arts and Sciences