What shared commitments do we have as citizens and neighbors to care for one another? How can a proper ordering of America’s political economy enable the most people to have the best life? At this event, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), a longtime champion of human rights causes, and AEI President Arthur Brooks will join Wallis in addressing these and other questions.

The naturally tenuous connection between music and civic life has been particularly evident in America, and the connection has grown more tenouous or ambiguous over time. Yet American music—with all its diversity of forms, rhythms, crudeness, and beauty—may be the most complete expression of American life.

César Chávez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy in Washington, DC, demonstrates the importance of education in building a vital democracy. Its students become model citizens and voters because they gain great knowledge of government, American democracy, and civics.

From its start as a program in 1995 to its opening as a single independent charter school in 1998 to its current network of 10 grade 6–12 campuses with some 600 teachers serving 6,400 students, YES Prep Public Schools have emphasized citizenship through service to the community.

In this ebook, we examine the words and deeds of the "Father of Our Country" and consider the qualities of leadership needed for the flourishing of our nation.

Chicago's UNO Charter School Network is one of the two largest charter operators in Illinois, and the nation's largest with a focus on the Hispanic community. In this brief, UNO's CEO Juan Rangel describes how his charter network attempts to create educated and engaged American citizens.

Like other charter schools, National Heritage Academies promises parents to teach a rigorous curriculum that will prepare their children for success in college. It also promises a moral education imbued with traditional values such as love of country and family. Good character is not just a private asset, NHA leaders believe. It leads to good citizenship.

The question of how to teach civic values such as participation in democratic elections in schools remains controversial. This brief examines the ambitious efforts of Democracy Prep, a Harlem-based network of charter schools that attempts to instill in its students a strong feeling of responsibility for government.

Are we at last one nation, with liberty and justice for all?