The Atlantic Out Loud

Americans once learned self-governance by practicing it constantly—in lodge halls, neighborhood associations, and labor unions. As participation in these institutions has dwindled, so has public faith in democracy. To restore it, we must return democratic practices to everyday life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Constitution once united a diverse country under a banner of ideas. But partisanship hasturned Americans against one another—and against the principles enshrined in our foundingdocument. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1858, Abraham Lincoln warned that America could not remain “half slave and half free.” Today, the country Remains divided by racism—and the threat is as existential as it was before the civil war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Founders designed a government that would be insulated from the heat of popular sentiment, but they didn’t anticipate the unbridled passions of the digital age. Here’s how the constitutional order can survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Constitution is an American document. And American law should look exclusively to American precedents. right? Not so, a Supreme Court justice says. That approach sounds good in theory, but the laws of other countries have a bearing on our own—and the highest court in the land needs to take heed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I grew up in a gun-loving town in Alabama. My grandfather’s store sells firearms. But only after I was shot did I begin to understand America’s complicated relationship with guns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will American democracy survive Trump? And will the midterms matter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas evangelical built an empire by teaching scripture to women—and being deferential to men. Nowshe’s risking it all to speak out against sexism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some animals are going nocturnal to avoid their main enemy— us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 50th anniversary of his Olympic moment, the gold medalist Tommie Smith considershis legacy, and the resurgence of athlete activism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices