Sustaining the League of Women Voters in America

A look at the decline of civic engagement, and how nonpartisan organizations like the League of Women Voters can help save and promote democracy. Throughout our history, civic associations have enabled democracy through citizen training, education, and responsible advocacy. But Americans have increasingly withdrawn from such civic activity, and most associations that remain lack public accountability, local presence, and active membership. In the absence of other engagement vehicles, a fundamental requirement for viable American democratic culture is lacking. To consider whether democracy and associations can still be positively linked, Maria Hoyt Cashin considers lessons drawn from the League of Women Voters. Worldwide, few associations have shown the durability, success, or democratic impact of the League over its long history. Yet its numbers are gradually declining. Forecasting the League's uncertain future, Cashin suggests it may be time to give such civic associations a public boost. "Deftly combining contemporary political theory with empirical analysis, Cashin's work reminds us that good models of democratic association, such as the League of Women Voters, can reconnect our practices and our principles." -Emily Howden Hoechst, Adjunct Professor, Department of Government, Georgetown University "Cashin makes excellent use of both theory and practice to argue persuasively that civic associations are necessary if democracy is to thrive." -Thomas M. Kerch, Adjunct Professor, Department of Government and Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Georgetown University "A welcome story and needed message. Molly Cashin reminds us nonpartisan civic activism is still possible. Numbers count, but so do values, and the League is a sterling example." -Charles Yonkers, Adjunct Professor, Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Georgetown University