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Mission
In order to strengthen American democracy, the Center for Politics
promotes the value of politics and seeks to improve civic education and
increase civic participation through comprehensive research, pragmatic
analysis, and innovative educational programs.
View the Center for Politics "Decade of Political Change" video:
300 Kbps, 800 Kbps, LAN
Background
The Center for Politics is an interdisciplinary, nonpartisan unit of the University of Virginia dedicated to the proposition that government works better
when politics works better and its corollary that politics works better
when citizens are informed and active participants.
People often think of politics as thwarting the proper function of
government. However, politics need not be viewed so negatively. The
political nature of American government is not to be deplored or
regretted. To the contrary, the Center views politics as human nature
writ large with mankind's virtues, not just vices, larger than life, and
as a system well designed by the Founders to enlarge the virtues and
contain the vices. Politics is the glue that holds together the most
diverse democracy on the face of the earth, counteracting the
centrifugal forces that can potentially tear the nation apart. Politics
is the oil that lubricates the creaky machinery of bureaucracy to make
it more responsive. Therefore, rather than the derogatory term it is
often depicted as being, the Center embraces politics in its motto
"Politics is a Good Thing!"
The Center for Politics was founded in 1998 by
Larry J. Sabato at the
University of Virginia and perpetuates the legacy of Thomas Jefferson
who said, "I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of
society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened
enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy
is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion."
The Center for Politics receives financial support from individual
donors, foundations, corporations, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
federal government.
Goals
- to be recognized as the leading institution on politics
- to seek and evaluate best practices in civic education
- to develop and promote classroom resources for elementary,
secondary, and higher education
- to raise awareness and understanding of politics through events
and publications
- to serve as a complete political resource for students,
teachers, journalists, elected officials, and the general public
Center Activities
More about the Center
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Copyright © 2008 U.Va. Center for Politics. All rights reserved.
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