Project

Stewarding America

Democracy & Justice
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Stewarding America

Most Americans seek a more coherent, collaborative, national conversation in which individual interests can be aligned with the greater good. This project analyzed American institutions to develop a better understanding of their role in the American democratic system and to develop proposals to increase civic participation and public confidence in American leaders and institutions.

Overview

This project investigated the civic institutions that are critical for inspiring and modeling good citizenship. Through in-depth analyses of the government, the courts, the media, the military, corporations, unions, and the education system, the Academy developed a better understanding of the role of these institutions in the American democratic system and proposed ways to increase civic participation and public confidence in American leaders and institutions.

Project Briefing Videos

People

People

Project Chair
Project Members

Gerald Lyn Early

Washington University in St. Louis
Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters
Academy Member

John L. Hennessy

Stanford University
President Emeritus and Shriram Family Director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Academy Member

Jeffrey Rosen

George P. Schulz

David Souter

Supreme Court of the United States
Associate Justice
Academy Member

Andy Stern

Richard E. Sylla

New York University
Henry Kaufman Professor of the History of Financial Institutions and Markets; Professor of Economics
Academy Member

Diane P. Wood

American Law Institute
Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
Academy Member
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Publications

Publications

News & Updates

News & Updates

Bulletin
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Stewarding America: Civic Institutions and the Public Good

In the face of increasing polarization and considerable stress on the American polity, a new issue of Dædalus begins a much-needed public conversation about how individuals and institutions can work together to strengthen democracy and promote the common good.
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Bulletin
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Challenges to American Institutions

A panel discussion on Institutions of Democracy and the Public Good was the focus of the Academy's 2012 Induction Weekend, featuring Diane Wood, Governor Phil Bredesen, and Ambassador Karl Eikenberry alongside Judy Woodruff, Alex Jones, and Marty Baron. The discussion was moderated by Norman Ornstein.
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Project Outcomes

Project Outcomes

The findings from the Stewarding America project served as the basis for publications, national conferences and workshops, and a public outreach campaign designed to encourage renewed emphasis on stewarding American democracy.

The project received attention in major media outlets. An opinion piece by NEH Chairman Jim Leach was published in The Boston Globe on October 14, 2012, and a Wall Street Journal blog highlighted Ralph Gomory and Richard Sylla’s essay on “The American Corporation” as recommended reading on November 29, 2012.

Project Events:

Project Information

The Stewarding America project was funded by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

Project Date
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