We are partisans for democracy
What does it mean to be a partisan for democracy? We don’t take sides on the political spectrum, but we do defend the rights everyone has as a democratic citizen — from voting to protesting to consuming information from a free press that serves as a check on political leaders.
The McCourtney Institute for Democracy draws from the humanities and social sciences to examine democracy from multiple angles. This cross-discipline collaboration is evident in our research, education, and outreach efforts.
We educate the next generation of democratic citizens through our Nevins Fellows program, monitor attitudes toward democracy with the Mood of the Nation poll, and host speakers and events that bring people from diverse backgrounds and points of view together to discuss the role of democracy in our society.
We make all of this happen in partnership with our centers of excellence, the Center for American Political Responsiveness and the Center for Democratic Deliberation, and many other organizations throughout the College of the Liberal Arts and the broader Penn State community.
Stay Informed:
Democracy Works Podcast
While Democracy Works is on winter break, we’re bringing you an episode from our colleagues at The Context, a podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and a fellow member of The Democracy Group podcast network. Host Alex Lovit looks back at the advice from the show’s guests this year about how everyday people can get involved in fighting authoritarianism and encouraging citizen engagement.
You’ll hear from:
- Ece Temelkuran, Turkish writer and author of How To Lose a Country, the Seven Steps From Democracy to Fascism
- Daniel Hunter, educator with Freedom Trainers and director of Choose Democracy,
- Deva Woodly, professor of political science at Brown University and nonresident fellow at Kettering
- Maria Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at Horizons Project
- Sharon L. Davies, president and CEO of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation
- Steven Levitsky, professor of government at Harvard and co-author of How Democracies Die
- John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice
We hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired about what you can do to strengthen democracy in 2026 and beyond. Thank you to the team at The Context for sharing it with us!
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