America’s civic culture is battered but not broken

Many Americans are breathing a cautious sigh of relief. Heading into the presidential election, it was reasonable to wonder if our republic would become more polarized. Some even worried that if the outcome wasn’t decisive enough, it would destabilize the nation.

The election did not bring that kind of chaos, even if — as in most contests — a slim majority of voters celebrated while a strong minority was dissatisfied or disillusioned.

For now, we seem to have emerged more stable than most people imagined. This resiliency points to something crucial: an American civic culture which, while battered and never perfect, holds us together. I believe it’s time to be more intentional about this culture; to better recognize it and take concrete steps to strengthen it.

Civic culture is the invisible fabric that holds our diverse democracy together — the shared norms, values, narratives, habits, and rituals that guide how we live, work, and govern as a society. Unlike political culture, which focuses on how we contest power and policy, civic culture is about how we coexist as neighbors, collaborators, and fellow citizens.

Think about rituals we share, like celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks or gathering for Super Bowl Sunday. Think about narratives like “a nation of immigrants” (even as we debate it) or habits like volunteering with local food pantries. In a time when so many lament a lack of social engagement, think about new types of communities, like runners’ clubs which combine fitness with social interaction, or knitting clubs where devotees find each other online and help fuel the comeback of crocheting.

When civic culture is strong, we take it for granted. We might not even recognize that it’s there. But when it flails — when polarization takes a stronger hold, trust in institutions erodes, or people interact less with one another — we feel it acutely. To restore it, we need to understand what it is, how it works, and how it helps democracy weather any inevitable divisions.

That’s what the Working Group on Civic Culture, convened by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, seeks to address. Building on a 2020 report, a diverse, multi-partisan group (myself included) spent months exploring what makes a healthy civic culture and how it can be fortified. Our findings are outlined in a new report, “Habits of Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture.”

At its core, our work underscores a simple, yet profound truth: In times of rapid change and uncertainty — like today — strong civic culture becomes indispensable. It provides us with ways to manage collective anxieties, foster mutual respect and navigate differences constructively. It enables the free exchange of ideas, strengthens democratic institutions, and inspires us to engage with the challenges of our time, from pandemics to immigration reform to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

For the most part, this is not government work. We must do it ourselves. The report offers practical recommendations for citizens, organizations, and leaders.

For example, we can promote “habits of service” which encourage more Americans to engage in volunteerism and public service, building connections and shared purpose. By practicing mutualism and mutual aid, we can support networks of care and reciprocity that strengthen social bonds. And by rooting these and other activities in shared places, we invest in our own communities, allowing people from different backgrounds to come together naturally.

Picture a care network where neighbors assist one another with various errands, a phenomenon which gained traction during the pandemic.

Better communication starts with spaces for dialogue which encourage honesty and courage in discussing challenging topics. Take my organization’s Pluralist Lab, which brings together students with different backgrounds and perspectives to discuss difficult topics (socioeconomic mobility, immigration, and the like). An emphasis on respect, authenticity, and curiosity allows ideas to be exchanged without fear.

As we dialogue, we can share “narratives of common purpose” which remind us of what unites us as a nation. In the report, we commend organizations like “Free the People” which uses narrative tools and documentaries about everyday Americans to highlight the virtues of a free society and benefits of voluntary cooperation.

These are not abstract ideals. They are concrete steps that can be taken in ways large or small to rebuild trust among our neighbors, foster empathy for those we don’t understand, and ensure that civic life remains a source of American strength rather than division.

Having participated — and having spent years examining civil society’s power to address complex challenges — I’m struck by the urgency and opportunity before us. Strengthening civic culture is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

To secure the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must commit to the hard, rewarding work of rebuilding the ties that bind us. Let’s not wait for another crisis.

Benjamin Klutsey is the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

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