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Representative Democracy in
America
Representative Democracy in America: Voices of
the People is a national project designed to reinvigorate and educate
Americans on the critical relationship between government and the people
it serves. The project introduces citizens, particularly young people,
to the representatives, institutions, and processes that serve to
realize the goal of a government of, by, and for the people.
About the Project
Ever since Americans first raised the cry of "No taxation without
representation," they have insisted upon having a voice in their
government. Indeed, the framers of the Constitution ensured in our
country's founding document that the voice of the people would drive our
government. Look almost anywhere in the United States today and you will
find some type of representative body, from Congress and state
legislatures to school boards and student councils.
Americans value and cherish the ideals of democracy. Yet many people
are less familiar and comfortable with how it all works in practice
today in the halls of Congress and our state capitols. They view the
legislative process as too slow, too contentious, too unresponsive -
perceptions that lead to feelings of cynicism and distrust.
Representative Democracy in America: Voices of the
People is a new national project designed to reinvigorate and
educate Americans on the critical relationship between government and
the people it serves. The project introduces citizens, particularly
young people, to the representatives, institutions, and processes that
serve to realize the goal of a government of, by, and for the
people.
Project Goals
- Improve public understanding of representative democracy and
encourage Americans to play a responsible role in their government
- Strengthen classroom teaching about representative democracy
- Develop mass media programs to inform the public about
representative institutions
- Provide legislators and staff with resource materials to help
improve public understanding of their institutions
- Support research on public views about Congress and state
legislatures
| democracy, civics, education |
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