National Civic Review Spring 2025: Innovations in Democratic Engagement

The Spring 2025 issue of NCDD Friend's National Civic Review, this Review showcases eight compelling articles focused on innovative practices in democratic engagement. From Portland’s bold adoption of proportional representation to the use of potlucks as tools for civic connection, each piece offers unique insights into how communities across North America are reimagining participation and public decision-making. Topics include participatory budgeting in NYC, citizen deliberations on police oversight in Springfield, and governance reforms in Cambridge and the Yukon. Together, these stories reveal a growing movement to deepen inclusion, transparency, and local stewardship. Read more in the blog post below.

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The Spring 2025 issue of the National Civic Review brings together eight thoughtful articles exploring innovative approaches to civic engagement and democratic participation. From community potlucks to electoral reform, this issue highlights diverse strategies for strengthening local governance and building more inclusive communities.

Issue Highlights

• "The Quiet Power of the Potluck" by Karl Schatz highlights how simple community gatherings foster meaningful connections and strengthen communal ties.
• "People Were Craving Change" by Maja Viklands Harris profiles Portland, Oregon’s innovative use of proportional representation, combining ranked choice voting with multi-member districts to better reflect its political diversity.
• "Does Mixing Civic Assemblies and Participatory Budgeting Make Either Process Better?" by Benjamin Solotaire explores New York City's blending of two democratic tools, enhancing public decision-making through both deliberation and engagement.
• "Coming to Judgment" by Rebecca M. Townsend, David Rudder, and Linda Matys O'Connell recounts Springfield, Massachusetts’s 2018 public deliberations on police oversight, revealing demands for more independence, authority, and transparency.
• "Communities Rising" by Monte Roulier envisions grassroots leadership as the key to systemic transformation, emphasizing collaboration to ensure all people thrive.
• "Applying Seven Principles for Citizens' Assemblies" by Sara McPhee-Knowles examines how Yukon’s electoral reform assembly successfully followed international best practices for public deliberation.
• "Strengthening Public Engagement Through Governance Reform" by Anna K. Corning details how Cambridge, Massachusetts used a charter review to promote more inclusive and consistent resident participation.
• "The Civic Virtue of Commitment" by Frank J. Martin argues that long-term community commitment deepens civic engagement and enhances all aspects of local life.​

About the National Civic Review

For over 100 years, the National Civic Review has promoted civic engagement and effective local governance. As the signature publication of the National Civic League, it continues to provide essential insights for practitioners, scholars, and community leaders committed to building more equitable and thriving communities.
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View the full Spring 2025 issue (Volume 114, Number 1) of the National Civic Review

Support Democratic Innovation

The work featured in the National Civic Review represents vital efforts to strengthen democratic participation at the local level. To learn more about supporting the National Civic League's mission to advance civic engagement and create equitable, thriving communities, visit their website at www.nationalcivicleague.org.