This recording is presented by Princeton Public Library. American democracy is at an inflection point. With voting rights challenged, election results undermined, and even the US Capitol violently attacked, many Americans feel powerless to save their nation’s democratic institutions from the forces dismantling them. Yet, as founders like Benjamin Franklin knew from the start, the health of America’s democracy depends on the actions its citizens are willing to take to preserve it.

Elizabeth C. Matto's new book "To Keep the Republic: Thinking, Talking, and Acting like a Democratic Citizen" is a wake-up call about the responsibilities that come with being a citizen in a participatory democracy. It describes the many ways that individuals can make a difference on both local and national levels—and explains why they matter. Political scientist Elizabeth C. Matto highlights the multiple facets of democratic citizenship, identifies American democracy’s sometimes competing values and ideals, and explains how civic engagement can take various forms, including political conversation. Combining political philosophy with concrete suggestions for how to become a more engaged citizen, To Keep the Republic reminds us that democracy is not a spectator sport; it only works when we get off the sidelines and enter the political arena to make our voices heard.

About the Speakers:
Elizabeth C. Matto is a research professor and director of Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics. She was the lead editor for "Teaching Civic Engagement across the Disciplines" and "Teaching Civic Engagement Globally" and is the author of "Citizen Now: Engaging in Politics and Democracy."

John Farmer is a university professor and director of the Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience at Rutgers University. He is the author of "The Ground Truth: The Story Behind America’s Defense on 9/11", which was named a New York Times notable book. From 2019-2023, he served as director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

Presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event was recorded on April 25, 2024.