Johann Neem: The Daily Life of Democracy

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When we think of democracy, we tend to focus on elections and government. Yet the daily life of democracy happened in towns across America as ordinary people, forgotten to history, stepped up to serve their communities. In this talk, Professor Johann Neem of Western Washington University will offer a story about the people who contributed to the public good: men and women, free and enslaved, rich and poor. Drawing on the concept of “civic labor,” Neem argues that ordinary acts of citizenship—co-producing public services, volunteering, and being a good neighbor—were essential to the formation of civic culture in the decades following the American Revolution. Americans joined school committees, built roads, attended meetings, and cared for sick neighbors. 

By coming together, Americans learned to care for the people around them. Participating fostered a sense of responsibility for public life in one’s community. At a time of intense partisan conflict, it is worth remembering that our democracy depends not just on those with the loudest voices, but equally on those who take time out of their busy lives simply to do what needs doing in their communities. Through coming together, Americans developed the civic habits necessary to work together despite their divisions. 

This talk will remind attendees that democracy is not just about disagreement. It is also about learning to work together to achieve common ends. It will also remind attendees that much of what they do daily really matters. By changing our perspective on what matters, we can change our understanding of what we need to do to strengthen democracy today. Finally, by reminding attendees of the importance of participation, this talk will hopefully encourage people to get more involved and to build more connections with those in their midst at a time when experts have documented more and more Americans are spending time alone or online.