January–August 2026
Compiled and reviewed by Eva Margaret Lacy and Jed Ngalande for the Hoover Institution’s Working Group on Civics and American Citizenship
Noteworthy Books
The Cradle of Citizenship: How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy
Author: James Traub
Institution: Center on International Cooperation (New York University)
Date: January 13, 2026
Summary: Traub shares a year’s worth of observations of public schools across the nation, as well as his discussions with teachers, scholars, and curriculum developers. He reports both discouraging and encouraging news—disagreements on the meaning of civic education and politics affecting curriculums, but also a general consensus among teachers to keep their personal beliefs out of the social studies classroom, as well as great collaboration between scholars with beliefs all across the sociopolitical spectrum.
Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution
Author: Jonathan Turley
Institution: George Washington University Law School
Date: February 3, 2026
Summary: Turley compares the American Revolution with other revolutions—with an eye for “how the United States escaped the cycles of violence and instability that plagued other democratic movements” and kept from “devolving into violent anarchy or brutal despotism”—so as to show how the past can speak to the present “crisis of faith” in democracy.
The American Presidency: Lives, Leadership, and Legacy
Author: Paul G. Schmitz
Institution: Saint Louis University School of Medicine (professor emeritus)
Date: March 6, 2026
Summary: Schmitz offers a concise biography of each president, accompanied by historical context and evidence-based analysis to explain not only what they did, but also the effects of their actions on the nation at the time and over the course of history.
Company Towns: Industry Power and the Historical Foundations of Public Mistrust
Author: Elizabeth Mitchell Elder
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: March 9, 2026
Summary: Hoover Fellow (and Working Group member) Elder examines the political dysfunction that the mining industry sowed in the Midwest and Appalachia and the deep cynicism and mistrust toward government that persists long after the mines shut down—a sober example of “the consequences of corporate dominance for state capacity, public opinion, and democratic accountability today.”
Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence
Authors: Neil Gorsuch, Janie Nitze
Audiobook Narrator: Neil Gorsuch
Date: May 5, 2026
Summary: Justice Gorsuch and his colleague explore the stories of revolutionaries such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Thomas Paine, Caesar Rodney, and Mary Katherine Goddard—largely through first-hand accounts—and tell their young audience about the founding of our nation and the human experience “at the heart of it all.”
American Factions: How the U.S. Constitution Can End Extreme Partisanship
Author: James L. Huffman[1]
Institution: International Center for Law & Economics
Date: May 14, 2026
Summary: Huffman advocates for a renewed understanding of and adherence to the protections the Founding Fathers left in the Constitution to ward against the corrosive effects of excessive partisanship on our liberties and freedoms.
Courage Can Save Us: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Futur
Author: Rye Barcott
Institution: With Honor
Date: June 9, 2026
Summary: Barcott, a Marine Corps veteran, profiles nine veterans and a former FBI agent currently in government—five Democrats (Mikie Sherrill, Mark Kelly, Wes Moore, Seth Moulton, Jared Golden) and five Republicans (Todd Young, Brian Fitzpatrick, Dan Crenshaw, John James, Don Bacon)—who exhibit bipartisan leadership in an age of polarization and “a culture of contempt.” Through their example, Barcott seeks to pose “a challenge to all of us to consider how courage can strengthen our democracy, and our own lives.”
America at 250: History’s Warning, America’s Test, and the Fight for National Renewal
Author: Joe Papay[2]
Date: June 15, 2026
Summary: Papay posits that although America stands as one of the most powerful nations of history, underneath lay many of the cracks that presaged the fall of great powers before. He argues that a national renewal will require civic concern, civic education, stronger families and communities, mature patriotism, institutional competence, fiscal discipline, and technological wisdom.
Radical Duke: How One Aristocrat―and the American Revolution―Transformed Britain
Author: Danielle Allen
Date: June 16, 2026
Summary: Allen shares original research of the correspondence Duke Charles Lennox of Richmond shared with Thomas Paine, and how their anonymous opinion newspaper essays—The Letters of Junius—sparked reform and revolution across two continents. In so doing, she challenges widespread assumptions about the origins of the democratic imperative.
Civics Without Apology: Reclaiming the Mechanics of the Republic and the Duty of the Sovereign Citizen
Author: Gene Constant
Institution: Foundation for Global Instruction[3]
Date: July 19, 2026
Summary: Constant argues that modern politics has distorted the citizens’ view of government as the Founding Fathers intended—that the U.S. Constitution intentionally constrains government power to preserve citizen liberty, and society must be maintained through duty, civic literacy, and local participation instead of expanding federal power.
Only “We, The People” Can Save Democracy
Author: Robert Jastremski
Date: July 26, 2026
Summary: Jastremski writes on why many public systems fail to meet expectations and explains how a more engaged citizenry can help implement resilience, principles, and accountability that improve government performance.
The Unfinished Republic: Historic Voices For Our Time
Author: Kerry Patrick Hays[4]
Date: August 5, 2026
Summary: Hays compiles fifty of the most influential letters, speeches, court opinions, essays, and public documents in American history. His purpose? To invite Americans into the nation’s conversation—not to tell them what to think, but to encourage them to pursue a personal understanding and appreciation of the American experiment via original sources.
Articles
The Modern Federalist
Author: Paul E. Peterson
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: 2024 —
Summary: Peterson’s weekly substack unpacks current governmental and political decisions in America from the federalist perspective of our Founding Fathers.
A “Fix-the-Rules” Focus Can Give Us Hope for America in 2026
Author: Kevin Johnson
Institution: Election Reformers Network[5]
Date: January 7, 2026
Summary: Johnson itemizes problems within the American election system, stating that politicians should not choose their electorate through gerrymandering. In response, he proposes a range of reforms for American elections
Civics Takes Center Stage in 2026
Author: Mary-Liz Shaw
Date: January 14, 2026
Summary: Shaw interviews leaders in the civic education space, such as Tina Ellsworth and Julie Silverbrook, and shares their stories of involvement in the civics sphere as well as their reflections on the current scope of civics education. Shaw discusses the 250th anniversary and its positive impact on conversations about civics and civics education.
Insight the Fight to Revive American Civics
Author: Richard D. Kahlenberg
Institution: Progressive Policy Institute
Date: January 15, 2026
Summary: Kahlenberg contends that reviving civics education requires teachers to avoid teaching a sanitized, overly patriotic version of history and to tell the accurate history of America, including its least savory parts. She also argues that civic education should include hands-on actions like debate, civic projects, and discussions.
Gaps Persist between Impact and Opportunity in Youth Civic Participation
Author: Ed Finkel
Institution: American Society of Journalists and Authors
Date: February 11, 2026
Summary: The article reports that young people can make a difference but lack opportunities to get involved. Governments and schools need to expand authentic, hands-on civic experiences in communities to mitigate this “civic opportunity gap.”
America’s Civic Crisis — and Opportunity
Author: Max Eden
Institution: America First Policy Institute
Date: February 23, 2026
Summary: Eden argues that the civic education crisis is driven by declining civic knowledge and an increased focus on activism instead of teaching the structures and principles of the American government. He argues for stronger fundamental education and that citizens should be taught to be patriotic and appreciate the American ideals.
2026 Offers the ideal Opportunity for Bipartisan Civics Legislation
Author: Jim Gerlach[6] and Joe Hoeffel[7]
Institution: PA Civics (co-chairs)
Date: March 9, 2026
Summary: The opinion piece argues that the 250th anniversary of the Declaration is a unique opportunity to strengthen civics education and advocate for reforms for statewide civic standards. They argue for the creation of a voluntary “Seal of Civic Literacy” program to recognize students, teachers, and schools.
How to Deepen California’s Commitment to Civic Learning
Author: Erica Hodgin
Institution: Facing History and Ourselves
Date: March 9, 2026
Summary: Hodgin argues that California should strengthen civic learning by making it a continuous part of education, not just one government course.
Commentary: Why Civic Education Matters Now More than Ever
Author: Tani Catil-Sakauye
Institution: Public Policy Institute of California[8]
Date: March 10, 2026
Summary: Catil-Sakauye argues that civic education is one of the few issues that can receive bipartisan agreement and argues that civic education should be woven throughout K-12 learning.
California Teachers ‘Tread Lightly” for America’s 250th as they Navigate Competing Narratives
Author: Carolyn Jones
Institution: Cal Matters
Date: March 11, 2026
Summary: The article says many California civics teachers intentionally avoid partisan debates and instead turn to emphasizing democratic principles. They are using discussion-based lessons with the goal of providing students with tools to engage in democracy.
Nothing Beats Polarization like Civics Education
Author: Danielle Allen
Institution: Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation and Democratic Knowledge Project-Learn[9]
Date: May 17, 2026
Summary: Dr. Allen reflects on the development of civic education over time and the empirical evidence that there is a call from most Americans for a revival of civic education. She discusses her own work in teaching a night class on the Declaration of Independence and her work with CivxNow, and ends with a hopeful contemplation on the future of civics education.
America’s Civic Crisis Starts Inside Our Schools
Author: David Brown
Institution: The Mind Trust[10]
Date: May 19, 2026
Summary: Brown argues that the civic crisis stems not from the classroom but from how schools function because students realize that their voices do not have that much impact on decisions. Schools should be required to model democracy by giving students opportunities to vote, provide feedback, and have influence over their schools and education.
Engaged citizens built America. Today, civics education is coming back.
Author: Scott Baldauf
Institution: The Christian Science Monitor
Date: June 17, 2026
Summary: Baldauf argues that civics education is experiencing a revival and highlights a shift away from memorizing civic and government structures, more towards experiential learning. He recognizes that there is political disagreement about what should be taught, but both sides agree that there should be an essential curriculum.
Preserving America: Scholars Argue for Mandatory College Civics
Author: Maria Tardiff
Date: June 26, 2026
Summary: Tardiff discusses the movement to require all college students to complete foundational courses in US history and government and offers data showing lack of knowledge about the American government amongst college students and argue for mandated requirements.
Civic Profile
The State of American Citizenship
Host: Bill Whalen
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: February 27, 2026
Summary: Chester Finn and Thomas Schnaubelt join Whalen to discuss what makes a “well-informed citizen,” introducing Hoover’s new Civic Profile—an assessment that gives feedback on values, knowledge, and engagement—to give Americans feedback on “what kind of citizen am I?” The three also discussed how to ensure the civics education push does not lose steam after the nation’s 250th birthday, and other initiatives of Hoover’s Center on Revitalizing American Institutions to that end.
Civic Values: Learning About Them, Living Them
Author: Chester E. Finn Jr.
Institution: Working Group on Civics and American Citizenship,[11] Hoover
Date: March 16, 2026
Summary: Dr. Finn and Chris Herhalt discuss the motivation behind the creation of the Civic Profile by the Working Group as well as the future uses of the results of the profile for researchers, scholars, and educators.
CivicProfile.org
Institution: Hoover Institution
Launch Date: March 9, 2026
Description: A 10-15 minute self-assessment that gives users detailed feedback on their civic values, knowledge, and style of engagement. One can see how they place against a national sample. One can also take it as part of a cohort, then see how they place against the cohort and how said cohort places against the national sample in addition to how the individual taker personally places against the national sample.
America, Know Thyself
Author: Brandice Canes-Wrone, Chester E. Finn
Institution: Freedom Frequency, Hoover Institution
Date: March 26, 2026
Summary: Canes-Wrone and Dr. Finn write about the creation of the Civic Profile as well as encouraging those who are inclined to strengthen their civic character to spend some time reflecting on their results of the survey.
Introducing the Civic Profile: What Kind of Citizens Are We?
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: June 18, 2026
Summary: Moderated by Dr. Finn, this eighty-minute panel webinar hosts speakers—ranging from a Stanford freshman to high school social studies department chairs—in conversation about the nature of and research behind the Civic Profile, and what this reveals about civic identity in America today.
Podcast
Civics in a Year
Host: Liz Evans
Institution: ASU Center for American Civics
Dates: July 4, 2025 – July 4, 2026
Summary: In a year, Liz Evans went through 250 foundational questions about American democracy in order to expand constitutional understanding, enhance curiosity, and encourage civic engagement.
Events
Ideas That Made U.S. | Dialogues on Freedom
Institution: Hoover Institution
Dates: Feb 11, 2026 —
Summary: Ideas That Made U.S. is a monthly speaker series with early-evening, 2-3 hour public conversations and panel discussions addressing the ideas, ideals, and institutions at the core of America—how they have shaped the past and how they may shape the future. Topics range classical democracy, the Enlightenment, leadership in America’s founding generation, the United States’ economic and geopolitical framework, the American Dream, the freedom many refugees have found over the centuries, to what kind of citizens are we presently? Speakers include a variety of scholars and leaders, from Ayaan Hirsi Ali to General H.R. McMaster.
We the People: National Symposium on Civic Education Research
Institution: Center for Civic Education and the Civic Education Research Lab
Dates: March 6-7, 2026
Summary: A convention of civic educators, researchers, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates culminating the James Madison Legacy Project Expansion—a three-year research and design initiative to update the Center of Civic Education’s We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curricular program.
2026 Civic Learning Week
Institution: iCivics and the Democratic Knowledge Project
Dates: March 9-13, 2026 (National Forum was March 9-10)
Location (National Forum): Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Summary: Civic Learning Week is an annual convening of that assembles educators, students, and community members to promote civic education across the nation by highlighting the civic knowledge, skills, and attitudes that inform and engage the American public, as well as sustain and strengthen American democracy.
Bloomberg CityLab 2026
Institution: Bloomberg Philanthropies
Dates: April 27-29, 2026
Location: Madrid, Spain
Talk Title: The Future of Civic Engagement
Summary: Kahlil Greene shared how social media can become a place for civic engagement, education, and community, and used this as an idea to share how cities can better inform, represent, and listen to young people. This was a talk at a summit focused on strengthening local government leadership.
2026 National Summit on Civic Education
Institution: Jack Miller Center
Dates: May 18-19, 2026
Location: Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Summary: The National Summit on Civic Education is an annual convention (beginning 2022) that brings together leading civic education leaders to collaborate on ideas and strategies regarding the improvement and promotion of civic education nationwide.
National Education Summit 2026: Towards a More Perfect Union
Institution: Smithsonian
Dates: July 14-16
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington D.C.
Summary: The National Education Summit is an annual convention (beginning 2020) that brings together educators for keynotes, collaborative sessions, and workshops that will focus on cultivating dialogue, designing classroom solutions for civic challenges,
[1] Huffman is the dean emeritus and professor of law at Lewis & Clark Law School
[2] He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps
[3] Founder
[4] Retired Missouri state park superintendent and educator
[5] Founder and co-director
[6] A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003-2015
[7] A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999-2005
[8] President and CEO
[9] Allen directs both organizations, the former a part of the Harvard Kennedy School, the latter a part of the Harvard Graduate School of Education
[10] North Star Fellow
[11] Chair
