As hand wringing over the state of our democracy has become a national pastime, we here at How To Really Run A City decided to air a special edition of our podcast.

We highlight moments from previous episodes which demonstrate that high-minded civic virtues like tolerance and pluralism and communitarianism don't only belong to the past.

From Mayor Libby Schaaf's guide to public action – "Mayors belong to one party–the party of getting shit done," to Mayor Nutter's stirring recounting of the Athenian Oath, to Mayor Reed's somber assessment of the importance of the upcoming election – "We all love to think about what we would have done if we'd been around with Martin or Lincoln. Well, this is it."

Join us for a few reminders that citizenship and good governance also lie in our present and future.