The Village Square

06/03/2026

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, American democracy faces profound challenges in the form of declining trust in institutions and growing political and cultural divides. While policy solutions and institutional reforms are essential, they are not enough. The strength of our democracy depends on a civic culture that sustains it. Can we foster a shared set of norms, values, and beliefs that empower our institutions and help us navigate our differences?

Please join the American Enterprise Institute, the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, and the Chautauqua Institution for a thought-provoking conversation on what it will take to renew the foundation of American democracy. Moderated by UVA Karsh's Melody Barnes, the panelists include: Christine Rosen (AEI), Hahrie Han (Johns Hopkins University), E. J. Dionne (Brooking's Institution), William A. Galston (Brooking's Institution), and Yuval Levin.

06/03/2026

UNUM Digital Series - Yuval Levin: American Covenant
How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again
Online Tuesday, June 16, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
https://villagesquare.us/event/yuval-levin/ Free! Register today.

This is a brilliant and original work of political science and constitutional history that illuminates the sources of our current divisions and points the way to a more unified future.”―Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center.

As we near July 4th in our 250th year, we turn our attention to the document that charted a path for a new country—the Constitution. Far from being the source of our problems as has become fashionable to believe, Dr. Yuval Levin argues that the Constitution holds the power to save us. According to Levin, “it doesn’t mean thinking alike, it means acting together.” Are you wondering how we could possibly act together when we disagree so vehemently? Join us as we meet a scholar who “may be the most important voice in the political culture right now.”
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The “UNUM: Democracy Reignited” series is funded in part by the Federation of State Humanities Councils with support from the Mellon Foundation and Florida Humanities. It is also part of “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250,” a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. This initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Folklife - Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or its partnering organizations.

06/02/2026

Agree. Disagree. Repeat.
Most separate, we gather.
The Village Square is the town hall for the 21st Century.

05/27/2026

"A life is not important except in its impact on other lives."
— Jackie Robinson

The Village Square: We host the hard conversations—so you don’t have to yell at strangers online.
Link in first comment.

05/26/2026

Village Voices: "What shuts down a conversation for you?"

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is not forgotten. Today we pause in gratitude and reflection.

05/25/2026

On this we thought we'd honor those who gave everything for the cause of a free people by subscribing to some Substacks of smart people we know who love the American idea. We highly recommend Dr. Danielle Allen's "The Renovator": https://therenovator.substack.com/ and here's our new subscription—Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky's "Imperfect Union." Dr. Chervinsky is the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Our founder Liz Joyner was on a panel with Dr. Chervinsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCCmcA8V5jE

Be sure to check out her recent piece: Every 50 Years, America Falls Apart. Then Celebrates Anyway: https://imperfectunion.substack.com/p/every-50-years-america-falls-apart

What 1826, 1876, 1926, and 1976 Tell Us About 2026

05/20/2026

Disagreement doesn't have to lead to division. It can lead to better understanding. Better solutions. Better democracy. Learn how from our friends

Thanks to National Institute for Civil Discourse

We all know what politics has become: division, outrage, and people talking past one another. But what if it didn’t have to be this way?In Disagree Better’s ...

05/19/2026

Village Voices: "What makes you feel respected in a disagreement?"