One thing that makes our American democratic fabric unique is that we don’t turn exclusively to government to run our communities. Instead, we rely on civil society – a network of civic organizations, religious groups, charities, unions, volunteer organizations, and active citizens who join forces to advance shared goals and interests through service.
Americans have the opportunity actively use our voices to engage and participate in our communities, by turning to other citizens and nongovernmental organizations. Civil society also gives us a platform to advocate to our government on issues we care strongly about.
In the 1830s, when French political philosopher Alexander de Toqueville was studying democracy in America, he was astounded by the web of civic organizations that were the lifeblood of American society. In his seminal work, Democracy in America, he noted “Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all minds constantly unite. Not only do they have commercial and industrial associations in which all take part, but they also have a thousand other types: religious, moral, serious, futile, very general, and very particular, immense and very small.”
American civil society is diverse and robust, which is important for a nation of more than 330 million people. There are groups that align and work together and others that disagree vehemently. That’s the beauty of a democracy – there’s space and freedom for people and organizations of many different views and beliefs to contribute. While we may argue over issues, we must all agree that it’s essential to our democracy to make space for Americans to participate in civil society.
Democracy is a verb. And our vibrant civil society gives Americans the opportunity to actively participate in what happens in our country. We must protect the space for civil society organizations to contribute to our nation.
Follow the George W Bush Institute’s Democracy is a Verb series.
