Harvard’s Steven Levitsky Makes Case for Democratic Resilience - The Heights Despite widespread concern about democratic backsliding, global democracy remains resilient, according to Steven Levitsky.

Maybe democracy is more resilient than we think?

KF Senior Fellow @stevelevitsky.bsky.social argues yes—even amid global concerns about backsliding—at a recent presentation at Boston College.

What does resistance actually look like?

KF Senior Fellow @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social shared a simple answer at the inaugural #KetteringDemocracyPrize in 2025: use every space and tool at your disposal.

We are thrilled to announce the appointments of @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social, @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, and @timothysnyder.bsky.social as our newest senior fellows at a most urgent time for our democracy.

“The artist’s role is to speak about what’s going on.”

As Springfield's 15,000 Haitians brace for deportations, local churches train to resist ICE SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — Over a year since Donald Trump and JD Vance spread falsehoods about the city's migrants eating pets, Haitians’ temporary protected status is set to run out Feb. 3.

Faith groups in Springfield, Ohio are hosting rapid response trainings, coordinating food deliveries and preparing to offer sanctuary as the city’s embattled Haitian population braces for potential deportations.
religionnews.com/2026/01/26/a...

As Springfield's 15,000 Haitians brace for deportations, local churches train to resist ICE SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — Over a year since Donald Trump and JD Vance spread falsehoods about the city's migrants eating pets, Haitians’ temporary protected status is set to run out Feb. 3.

Via @kathrynpost.bsky.social: As Springfield's 15,000 Haitians brace for deportations, local churches train to resist ICE —> religionnews.com/2026/01/26/a...

@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social: "Democrats are finally finding their spine on this. Democrats have got to start going on offense on these things. The American people will be with you if you show leadership in this moment…Speak up for what's happening in our country! That's what time it is."

Keep Springfield, Ohio peaceful. It doesn't need a campaign of state violence, vengeance, and hate • Ohio Capital Journal After being subjected to hateful lies, bomb threats, neo-Nazis, chaos, and pain during the 2024 campaign, Springfield, Ohio does not need a vengeance tour from a wrathful, lawless regime. Any adults…

Editor Commentary: Keep Springfield, Ohio peaceful. It doesn’t need a campaign of state violence, vengeance, and hate ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/23/k...

Keep pushing back against #authoritarianism in 2026! Check out insights from our Chief Organizer @mariajstephan.bsky.social and others leading the movement for #democracy.

A lovely interview with poet Joy Harjo. Listened while shoveling snow on my lunch hour, and paused to watch two V-shaped flocks of geese fly overhead as Joy read one of her poems. Both were antidotes to stress. Don’t miss this episode of “The Context” podcast.

Americans Show Consensus on Many Democracy-Related Matters A Kettering Foundation/Gallup survey finds most Americans support political compromise, view multiculturalism as a strength and reject political violence.

Gallup highlights areas of consensus in their article here: news.gallup.com/poll/696494/...

Think politics will ruin Thanksgiving? Smerconish has some advice | CNN Think your holiday table is destined for political chaos? Smerconish says the real divide isn’t at Thanksgiving, it’s in our heads. Here’s why.

I enjoyed this CNN piece on our Democracy For All Project survey. Based on our data, if your crazy relatives bring up politics at holiday, start talking about democracy and you might find common ground. www.cnn.com/2025/11/22/u...

Inaugural Kettering Democracy Prize Ceremony Honors Alexei Navalny and Judith Browne Dianis

Experience the full reflection and see the event video on our website. bit.ly/4iy9Vdf

Courage is Contagious. Reflections on the importance of recognizing the courageous ones, allowing art to feed our souls, and that we the people can build the country we deserve.

New post with reflections on the @kettering.org Democracy Prize ceremony from earlier this week.

"It’s in the doing that we embody the democracy we deserve & that we the people, all of us together, have plenty of courage. And courage, it’s contagious."

andrewwhitehead.substack.com/p/courage-is...

A More Perfect Union | Trailer Explore America’s founding ideals in A More Perfect Union, premiering Nov 24 at 9p ET on PBS.

Tonight, @pbs.org debuts “A More Perfect Union,” a companion special to the new PBS series #TheAmericanRevolution filmed at the @constitutionctr.bsky.social with support from the Kettering Foundation.

Courage is Contagious. Reflections on the importance of recognizing the courageous ones, allowing art to feed our souls, and that we the people can build the country we deserve.

Research fellow @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social does a great job of capturing the energy of our Democracy Prize celebration honoring Alexei Navalny and Judith Browne Dianis. andrewwhitehead.substack.com/p/courage-is...

I was honored to attend the inaugural Kettering Democracy Prize ceremony this evening. I’ll have more to share soon. It was an incredibly inspirational evening, w/ two amazing laureates.

The Truth: democracy is up to us and we all, together, can build the country we deserve.

Over the next year, @AspenInstitute with support from @Pivotal_Ventures will lead @AspenWINChallenge, a nationwide $60M grant competition that’s looking for bold ideas to change the workplace.
Register to apply by 5pm ET on December 11, 2025: winchallenge.org

☝️ Democratic resistance takes shape in unexpected ways.

🗣️ “Every time you confront an authoritarian regime, society has to do a certain amount of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing which strategies work.”

one of the single best deals in streaming. i've been paying for PBS Passport for years. it rules

💰 What does financial justice have to do with democracy?

Liberating the Headlines: How Media Can Cover Aspiring Authoritarians without Enabling Them A sliver of good news has emerged, and signs are showing that newsrooms might be slowing their race to headline stories with everything Trump says and does. The press may be revealing a new willingnes...

bit.ly/3TU3ENs

No Kings, Just Citizens: Civil Society Asserts Its Democratic Power A call that came about amidst a long protest wave that started right at the turn of the century.

How does No Kings represent a new form of protest, and why might it have the potential to reverse America's democratic backsliding? Social movements expert Deva Woodly joins our blog: kettering.org/no-kings-jus...

Our Duty Is to the Constitution, Not One Person The Trump administration's persistent preoccupation with their political opponents has led to the deployment of troops to US cities, disregarding the wishes of local and state authorities.

Read more about the dangers of unchecked presidential power in this latest installment of #FromManyWe: kettering.org/our-duty-is-...

“There is nothing at all to stop this president for the next three and a half years other than the American people.”

KF Senior Fellow @judgeluttig.bsky.social joins us on #TheStakes to sound the alarm: Trump’s first 100 days mark a revolt against American democracy.

What if “getting back to normal” isn’t an option?

Tomorrow’s podcast guest, @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social, says we’re in a new political era where the old playbook won’t save democracy. Coalitions have shifted. Communication has changed. Even the word “democracy” has become polarized.

Judith Browne Dianis, Alexei Navalny Win Kettering Democracy Prize A new prize to honor individuals who embody an uncommon commitment to democracy work despite real threats.

Navalny was an international symbol of courage who ceaselessly challenged authoritarian rule in Russia.

Their lives of activism and bravery reflect the purpose of this prize, which celebrates courageous dedication to democracy. kettering.org/judith-brown...

This new international award honors those who go beyond the ordinary to champion and defend inclusive democracy.

Dianis has spent a lifetime fighting voter suppression, racial injustice, and the criminalization of students in the United States.

With immense pride, the Kettering Foundation announces the first recipients of the Kettering Democracy Prize: Judith Browne Dianis (@jbrownedianis.bsky.social) and the late #AlexeiNavalny.

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