The American Democracy Optimists

One Big Thing

 

At the start of a new legislative session and presidential term, it’s easy to get swept up in the noise. But amidst the politics, it’s important to remember what truly shapes our democracy: the thoughtful, steady work of policymaking.

Earlier this week, we released our 2025 policy recommendations to the Trump Administration and Congress, covering critical topics like immigration, trade, housing prices, Ukraine, education, and global health. The recommendations offer actionable solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing America today -- reminding us that democracy thrives when leaders and citizens alike focus on creating a brighter future for all.

 

Bush Institute Insights

• President George W. Bush released a statement about the late President Jimmy Carter, applauding his efforts to make the world a better place during and after his presidency. President Bush spotlighted President Carter's exemplary work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center.

• In an interview, Presidential Leadership Scholar Wade Lairsen discussed his work at the Birthday Party Project, which sponsors birthday parties for children experiencing homelessness. He also reflects on the lessons he learned during the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, such as the importance of starting from a "place of humanity and openness to each other's lived experiences."

• With the rise of global authoritarianism, our civic and democratic virtues are more vital than ever. Bush Institute Fellow Ellen Bork recently laid out recommendations for supporting democracy around the world.

• At the Obama Foundation's 2024 Democracy Forum, President Barack Obama shared his thoughts on the power of pluralism – a topic we’re passionate about at the Bush Institute. He reminded us,“...we all have to find a way to live alongside individuals and groups who are different than us. So we commit to a system of rules and habits that help us peacefully resolve our disputes; we try to cultivate habits – those practices that encourage us not just to tolerate each other but also – every so often – join together in collective action."

• New research out of UC Berkeley suggests that voters are more sophisticated than we think. Political scientist Hunter Rendleman speaks about this research with Jerusalem Demsas on the Good on Paper podcast.

• Complete College America released a report with steps colleges can take to prepare students for civic life and strengthen civics engagement. Every college student, they argue, should take classes on democracy and civic learning so that they can participate in the U.S. economy and democracy.

• Lyric Kaplan, a counsel at the AI League for Good, explores the risks that AI poses to democracy, from threatening reliable information flows to deepening social divisions. She also outlines solutions that could minimize these risks, including algorithmic transparency and uniform federal laws.

• In The Washington Post, religion reporter Michelle Boorstein examines the state of politically diverse congregations in the United States. Unsurprisingly, they’re in decline, but one California-based church is attempting to reverse that trend by finding ways to attract and retain members of various political stripes.

• The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson explores what he describes as the “Anti-Social Century,” noting how Americans are increasingly spending time alone, which impacts our communities and our democracy.

 

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To learn more about the Bush Institute's work on Strengthening Our Democracy, email Anne Wicks, the Don Evans Family Managing Director of Opportunity and Democracy, or Chris Walsh, Director of Global Policy.