Author Description

Campaign finance, low voter turnout, the influence of public opinion polls, proportional representation, and emerging technology online and at the voting booth: this issue is a comprehensive review of the many issues surrounding political reform at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Acknowledging their roots in the Progressive Era of the twentieth-century, contributors from the National Civic League call for a clear-eyed commitment from all sectors to face today's challenges nationally, and present lessons already learned from successful local and regional programs. Articles highlight promising trends in volunteerism among young people and grassroots movements in campaign finance reform in Texas and Minnesota. Specific programs in political education, such as an innovative civic education project in Phoenix that develops the habits of responsible citizenship--and voting--in children, are also examined. Focusing on the core issues of democracy--participation, influence, and access-- this issue is more than an overview of challenges met and challenges ahead on the progressive agenda of American democracy. It is an inspirational call to begin the work that is before us.