Danielle Allen puts it plainly: democracy’s promise of freedom and equality can only be fulfilled if we show up as engaged citizens. A working democracy depends on participation, collaboration across differences, and continual renewal of our institutions. At its core, she says, democracy thrives in a culture that values diversity, respectful debate, and the dignity of every person.

In this 2023 speech, Allen urged us, as citizens, to step up and rebuild our democracy at a time when polarization, tribalism, and declining trust—especially among younger generations—threaten its survival. Drawing on her family’s own history of civic engagement, she reframes democracy as the foundation of human flourishing—not a question of whether it will endure, but how.

I’m especially drawn to her call for a “cross-ideological supermajority” committed to constitutional democracy, inclusion, and shared power. Her point is clear: if we can look past the media-driven fog of 24/7 news cycles and echo-chamber social platforms, we can rediscover shared values. She cites examples of bipartisan state-level reforms as proof that progress across divides is still possible. For Allen, real debate never undermines the dignity of the people involved—democracy depends on mutual respect and shared purpose.

She’s equally clear about what protecting democracy requires: de-radicalizing extremist factions, depolarizing our media landscape, defending voting rights and election integrity, and ensuring real competition in elections. Renovating democracy, she says, means making institutions more responsive through reforms like same-day registration, ranked-choice voting, and citizen assemblies that give people a more direct voice.

Ultimately, the work of democracy is every citizen’s duty. It calls for vigilance, collaboration, civic education, and a renewed commitment to one another’s dignity.

“The reason I talk about both protection and renovation of democracy is because they really are two distinct kinds of work, and we really need both of them.”

“We are a much more diverse society and a much more complex society. We have legacies and histories from enslavement and other wrongs that we’re still working to overcome. We need a supermajority that is committed to full inclusion and participation for everybody.”

ARTICLE: Democracy Teetering on Brink

PODCAST/TRANSCRIPT: Reinventing American Democracy with Danielle Allen

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