Juries are a democratic institution. They provide an important site for democratic action by citizens and their use should be revived.
Jenna Spinelle articles
Jenna Spinelle is the communications specialist for the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State and host of the podcasts When the People Decide and Democracy Works.
Finding the “We” in Civic Engagement
Collective action problems arise for people who want to get things done. Forming functional groups is key to effective civic engagement.
What Will It Take To Make Democracy More Representative?
Multiple dimensions of identity simultaneously shape pathways to candidacy and representation for all groups seeking a seat.
Podcast: Celebrating Democracy’s Small Victories
Amid election deniers and political polarization, it’s easy to overlook the times when democracy is actually working.
The Backbone Of Democracy Is Now The Face Of Fraud
Election officials are the backbone of our democracy, but also the face of fraud allegations from far-right groups who deny the legitimacy of elections.
When Should The States Decide?
Reproductive rights are heading to ballots in states across the country this fall. Are states the right venue for this and other issues?
Chris Beem On The Seven Democratic Virtues
American democracy is at a crisis point…[To] fix [it],…we can all take part in creating a culture that cultivates democratic virtues.
Rural Broadband And The Politics Of Good Enough
COVID-19 showed… how essential high-speed Internet is to our everyday lives… Yet, millions… do not have reliable [broadband] access.
A Deep Dive Into The Administrative State
The Inflation Reduction Act[’s] passage shines a light on the administrative state. How will the billions,…other provisions…[become] policy?
A New Approach To Breaking Our Media Silos
It’s no secret that there’s a partisan divide in the media, but thus far, solutions to bridge that divide have been few and far between.