In a democracy, political authority flows from the people to the state—not from the state to the people. Why is this the case? Learn more in this episode!

Center for Civic Education

Popular sovereignty is a basic idea of democracy and means that the people are the ultimate source of the authority of their government. Listen for more!

Center for Civic Education

Liberal democracy recognizes the importance of the individual and that all persons have certain fundamental rights. Learn what these rights look like in today's episode!

Center for Civic Education

The rule of law is a primary element of constitutionalism. An essential means of limiting government is establishing a rule of law, beginning with the constitution itself, which is a fundamental law. Listen to learn more!

Center for Civic Education

Permanent campaigns are increasingly noticeable in the larger perpetual U.S. campaign cycle, which is largely driven by meta-campaign demands and media sensationalism. Learn more in our final episode with Dr. Diana Owen adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series available at learn.civiced.org.

Center for Civic Education

Despite the warranted fears around big money, constituent service is an important way to help give a voice to more members of a particular congressional district. Learn more in today's episode!

Center for Civic Education

Political equality is a fundamental and critical concept for the U.S. government. Given this, how does big money affect political equality? Learn more as Dr. Diana Owen explains more in this series adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series at learn.civiced.org.

Center for Civic Education

How do donations affect members of Congress' policy positions? Listen as Dr. Diana Owen shares about the effect that this funding has on representatives legislative actions in this episode adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series available at learn.civiced.org.

Center for Civic Education

Today, there are many types of political contributions that people or groups can make toward a political campaign, and it???s difficult to keep the types straight. Dr. Diana Owen explains in today???s episode the differences between popular types of contributions, including the hotly debated super PACs. Listen for more!

Center for Civic Education

Continuing our new campaign finance series adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series, available at learn.civiced.org, we ask Dr. Diana Owen: where does the money come from to run a political campaign? Listen to learn more!

Center for Civic Education