In “Educating for Democracy: The Case for a New Civics,” Danielle S. Allen (@dsallentess.bsky.social) and Carah Ong Whaley (@carahongwhaley.bsky.social) explain why “excellent civic education” is necessary to restore faith in our democracy.
The Renovator
@democracyrenovator.bsky.social
Our political institutions and civic culture in the U.S. need some serious work, if we're going to enjoy freedom in a constitutional democracy. The Renovator is a civic media platform for those ready to build, not tear down. democracyrenovator.com
New from @dsallentess.bsky.social: Linda McMahon and the Dept of Ed called for higher ed to take action on 7 issues. Who should host the seven conversations American higher education owes the American people — and why answering the call is the opposite of capitulation.
National Summits on the Future of Higher Ed: An Earnest Proposal
Who should host the seven conversations American higher education owes the American people — and why answering the call is the opposite of capitulation
democracyrenovator.com
New tech & democracy news roundup, with reactions to the big Meta settlement last week from @techpolicypress.bsky.social, @alissacooper.bsky.social, and @mblawrence.bsky.social. States also won in court against Google, Anthropic, and prediction markets, and the FTC sued Amazon.
Is Meta's $17 Billion Settlement a Turning Point in Teen Online Safety?
Experts are split on whether it will meaningfully reduce harm.
democracyrenovator.com
New from journalist and historian Elaine Weiss: the key to effective mobilization for women's suffrage and civic rights? Education -- and teachers who have often been overlooked.
Organize, Agitate, Educate
From Elaine Weiss: America’s Democratic Movements Were Powered by Citizenship Schools.
democracyrenovator.com
New from Danielle: in this primary season, the dominant theme she's excited about is grassroots pressure to expand and open up political processes. Entrenched establishments "worry that the positions that progressives advance could not earn majority support. I believe they can." #elections
Entrenchers vs Openers
What Was This Primary Season Really About?
democracyrenovator.com
New from @jokenty.bsky.social, a really joyful story about engaging young kids in conversations about the future of their communities at a Philadelphia museum: #edusky
Discovering Democracy at the Please Touch Museum
Elementary schoolers take on mayoral candidates and envision their city’s future.
democracyrenovator.com
The authors of "Rewiring Democracy" explore Crownshy, an innovative approach to participatory democracy led by civic technologists in Scotland: www.democracyrenovator.com/p/rewiring-d... @democracyrenovator.bsky.social @schneier.com
Rewiring Democracy: Citizen Science Leads to Civic AI in Scotland
“Rewiring Democracy” returns!
democracyrenovator.com
The hour was late on Thursday at #LibCon2026. We had all had a little veno. The topic was tough. Yet @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social @jamellebouie.net Danielle Allen were brilliant and insightful. Moderator @aaronrosspowell.com Listen/read at @theunpopulist.net open.substack.com/pub/theunpop...
Dismantling the Legacies of Illiberalism Haunting the US: Zooming In With Jamelle Bouie, David French, Danielle Allen
Watch now | 'Is a utopian liberalism possible'? A LibCon2026 podcast
open.substack.com
We can't wait for an update on @micahweinberg.bsky.social and Angela Glover Blackwell's work organizing a Civic Assembly in Oakland! As they reported for us, they're building on a global wave of direct democracy.
People Power
What Democracy Requires
democracyrenovator.com
In case you missed it, check out the conversation between @ezraklein.bsky.social and Danielle at Libcon moderated by @shikhadalmia.bsky.social on the theme: What is Freedom?
Ezra Klein & Danielle Allen on Liberalism and the 21st Century
A video of the keynote discussion at LibCon 2026
democracyrenovator.com
Renovating America's Universities: from Danielle Allen, taking higher education's public obligations seriously while engaging with abusive actors.
Renovating America's Universities
How to Answer the Secretary of Education's 7 Questions
open.substack.com
To say Danielle Allen, author of "Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality," has been busy for America 250 is an understatement! Here are some highlights, beginning with her column on The Renovator:
The Golden Apple
Pass It On
therenovator.substack.com
A month ago, Danielle wrote that we "must be willing to stand up not only to Trump himself, but also to those within our own ranks who abandon personal integrity — and to those who indulge the toxic scapegoating of antisemitism instead of holding fast to our sacred commitment to equality."
Time to Ditch Platner
Why Jerome Powell is a better guide than Thomas Massie or Graham Platner
therenovator.substack.com
New from @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social: we've seen what happens when politicians in other countries sink to this level of blatant corruption. Congress must make a choice to stop this slush fund for good.
The IRS Slush Fund Is a Test. Too Many Republicans Are Failing It.
The coming reckoning that Congress needs to think about.
therenovator.substack.com
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup!
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
Politico@politico.com · 5mo agoTexas county passes 1-year data center construction ban
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup:
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
404 Media@404media.co · 5mo ago"I can’t take it anymore. The threats," the treasurer said. The planned data center is part of OpenAI and Oracle's Stargate initiative.
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup!
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
Protect Democracy@protectdemocracy.org · 5mo agoProtect Democracy and @knightcolumbia.org are representing @thecoalition.bsky.social in a lawsuit challenging this policy. Read more about the case here: protectdemocracy.org/work/protect...
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup!
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
Elizabeth Warren@warren.senate.gov · 5mo agoAI was trained on generations of human knowledge and work. Now Big Tech is making billions from it. It’s time to tax AI and make sure the American people benefit from what they helped build.
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup: Democracy Works and the Associated Press partner with OpenAI on election info:
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
Democracy Works@democracy.works · 8mo agoOur mission: provide Americans with the guidance they need to vote in every election. We’re unveiling a new brand identity that reflects our commitment to being nonpartisan, trustworthy, and building tools that make it easier for voters to participate in every election. Learn more: democracy.works
Featured in our new Tech and Democracy news roundup!
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
WIRED@wired.com · 5mo agoThe bill requires companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google to have third parties confirm they’re following safety standards. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’ll sign. www.wired.com/story/illino...
New Tech and Democracy news roundup, including Google's new AI search results: social media has already changed democracy, but at least it supported more human connection. What will this do?
June 1 Tech and Democracy Roundup: Trump, the Pope, and the Future of Search
What Google's AI search overhaul portends for democratic discourse
therenovator.substack.com
At a recent conference on what comes "After Neoliberalism," Harvard's Yochai Benkler highlighted some important points in the conversation: "The idea that we cannot steer the path of technology but must adapt to whatever technological development deals us flies in the face of our own history..." 🧵
After Neoliberalism
It’s time for a new theory of capitalism, power, and the dynamics that repeatedly produce both growth and social dislocation
therenovator.substack.com
New from Danielle Allen: There are only twelve (!) states in the US where voters are fully enfranchised. One in four Americans never gets a chance to cast a meaningful vote. Gerrymandering is a huge problem, especially after the Callais decision, but it's not the whole story.
Are We Ready for a New Voting Rights Movement?
An Estimated 1 out of 4 American Voters Is Structurally Disenfranchised
therenovator.substack.com
New civic education news roundup! New Hampshire and Idaho have new State Civic Seals for high school students, lots of civic learning opportunities as the 250th draws closer, and a new generation of civic leaders is already here. #America250 #edusky #academicsky #civics #civiceducation
Civic Education News Roundup: Supreme Court justices advocate for civic learning, new state Civic Seals, and young civic leaders on the move.
Up for a challenge?
therenovator.substack.com
During last night's Maine GOP gubernatorial debate, two candidates cross-endorsed each other. With ranked choice voting, candidates are encouraged to focus on the issues – not just attack one another. #RankedChoiceVoting
“For too many voters, Election Day feels like exclusion” Read PID MA Action Executive Director John Griffin at @the-renovator.bsky.social on how All-Party Primaries can give all voters the power to see & shape our shared future together
Inclusive Politics, Responsible Competition
The Case for All-Party Primaries in Massachusetts
therenovator.substack.com
Fantastic conversation between @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and Danielle yesterday, the first installment in our "Headstrong Club" series - political polarization from Tom Paine and Edmund Burke to today!
Bill Kristol and Danielle Allen
Our fantastic first Live episode of “The Headstrong Club”
therenovator.substack.com
New from Nathan Sanders and Bruce Schneier: a Swiss AI Initiative, Apertus, is now the most advanced example of public AI, a concept—and a movement—for building AI in the public interest.
Rewiring Democracy Now: Switzerland shows us an alternative to corporate AI
Public AI must counterbalance corporate AI
therenovator.substack.com