Eric Liu: Why ordinary people need to understand power

Civics: Making It Engaging Again

The Importance of Civics

• The speaker introduces themselves as a teacher and practitioner of civics, highlighting the common perception that civics is boring despite its importance.

• They emphasize the need to make civics "sexy" again, akin to its significance during pivotal moments in American history like the Revolution and Civil Rights Movement.

Defining Civics and Power

• Civics is defined as the art of being a pro-social contributor in a self-governing community, encompassing values, systems understanding, and skills for goal pursuit.

• Power is described as the capacity to influence others' actions; it’s neither inherently good nor evil but essential for understanding governance.

The Illiteracy of Power

• Many people are illiterate about power dynamics—who holds it, how it operates—which leads to disproportionate influence by those who do understand these concepts.

• This lack of knowledge creates a vacuum filled by those with power literacy, resulting in civic inequality where only a few wield significant influence.

Consequences of Civic Ignorance

• The speaker argues that civic ignorance is willful; many opt out of politics or misunderstand where power resides (e.g., corporations vs. government).

• Examples illustrate how relationships can convert into political capital (friendship to subsidy), biases become policies (stop-and-frisk), and slogans evolve into movements (Tea Party).

Reimagining Civics Education

• There’s an urgent need to reimagine civics education focused on teaching power dynamics; without this knowledge, citizens risk being left out.

Practicing Power in the City

The Importance of Civic Engagement

• Practicing power involves being aware and having a voice, as well as engaging in an arena where decisions can be made. The essence of civics revolves around the question of "who decides."

• Cities serve as crucial arenas for practicing power, addressing both small and large civic issues, from street lamp placements to living wage requirements.

Activating Forms of Power

• To effect change in your city, consider how to activate or neutralize various forms of power: money, people, ideas, information (or misinformation), and social norms.

• Recent examples illustrate local activism: Boulder voters approved a public utility to replace Xcel Energy for climate-focused goals but faced pushback from Xcel's countermeasures.

Case Studies in Civic Power

• In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a student organization called "the Machine" has historically dominated elections and is now influencing city politics by electing pro-business candidates.

• These examples highlight the importance of understanding civic power dynamics—objectives, strategies, tactics, allies, and enemies are essential components for effective engagement.

Localism and Globalization

• Despite globalization trends, citizenship is increasingly local. Power is shifting towards cities due to national government gridlock.

• Local ecosystems are fostering civic imagination and innovation that radiate outward into broader societal changes.

Networked Localism

• Strategies for urban improvements (e.g., bike-friendly initiatives) have spread globally through interconnected networks rather than isolated efforts.

• Participatory budgeting practices have emerged worldwide as citizens engage directly in financial decision-making processes within their communities.

Collective Action Across Borders

• Movements like the New Citizens' Movement in China demonstrate grassroots organizing against corruption while gaining international attention from anti-corruption activists.

• Seattle exemplifies global collaboration among cities working together on environmental goals without relying on national governments.

Building Civic Curriculum

Case Study: Reflecting on Civic Change

The Journey of Civic Engagement

• The narrative should focus on the change desired in the city, detailing the cause championed and how it ultimately succeeded.

• Emphasize the values activated among fellow citizens and the moral purpose that was stirred throughout the process.

• Discuss various methods of engagement with systems such as government, marketplace, social institutions, and faith organizations.

Skills for Advocacy

• Catalog essential skills utilized during this journey, including negotiation, advocacy, issue framing, and conflict navigation.

• Highlight how these skills helped to unite individuals and overcome resistance encountered along the way.

Sharing Narratives for Collective Learning

• Encourage sharing personal narratives on platforms like Facebook to foster community learning and collaboration.

• Stress the importance of global conversations happening simultaneously around civic engagement topics to enhance collective understanding.