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Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century

The Ash Center and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) hosted a discussion of Our Common Purpose, a report issued by the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship.

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A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary
A collection of books curated by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

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A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.

Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List
A collection of books curated by Stephen Richer.

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Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List

The official start of Summer is almost here, and Stephen Richer, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy and former elected Maricopa County Recorder, shares his summer reading list with a range of books focused on his work of democracy and elections, as well as his personal favorites.