Realizing the promise of democracy
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October 15, 2025
Democracy360 Opens with a Call to Imagine and Build Together
Day one of Democracy360 highlighted the power of collaboration, from participatory music and community dialogue to higher education partnerships advancing democracy nationwide.
Our People
Our Work
Events
America
How has the history of the United States been shaped by its relationship with Latin American nations? Pulitzer Prize–winning author Greg Grandin (Yale University) will discuss his new book, "America, América: A New History of the New World" with Anne Garland Mahler (UVA Spanish).
Art
The American Revolution was fought not just with muskets but also through works of art that articulated revolutionary ideals. Zara Anishanslin (University of Delaware) will join Douglas Fordham (UVA Art) to discuss her book "The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution."
Taxes
How have debates over taxation shaped American history and its democracy? Vanessa Williamson (Brookings) discusses her new book with Justene Hill Edwards, UVA associate professor of history.
Looking for past events?
View ArchiveIn the News
Your Personal Anecdote Is Unhelpful
“A functioning republic requires an elite that takes seriously its obligation to understand the experiences of people not sitting on stage and to use data rather than personal anecdotes to analyze the nation’s challenges,” wrote Oren Cass about his participation in the Karsh Institute’s Democracy360.
www.commonplace.org
Who Should Be the Governor of Virginia?
Times Opinion convened a panel to weigh in on the Commonwealth's race for governor, including Karsh Institute Practitioner Fellow Sally Hudson.
www.nytimes.com
Democracy360 Unites Thousands for Three Days of Bold Ideas and Engaging Conversation
At the Karsh Institute’s signature biennial gathering, participants turned ideas into action, connecting across generations and perspectives to confront democracy’s challenges and to imagine its future.
October 20, 2025
Democracy360 Concludes With a Call to Listen, Connect, and Imagine Together
From law and institutions to empathy and understanding, the final day of Democracy360 showcased how shared stories can shape the next 250 years of American democracy.