Kettering Foundation

Media Center

Videos

  • "The process of involving people, even if they have different points of view, maybe conflicting points of view, is very important."

    Svetlana Chernikova

  • Coping With the Cost of Health Care:

    What Is The Public Voice?

    Video Podcast

  • "We can improve the conversation and that directly impacts people's lives."

    Martin Carcasson

  • DDEX

  • Ibtesam, Rhanda Slim

    Mideast Network

  • "In our research, we look at what ideas community leaders have about the role of the public in deliberating issues and forming policy."

    Alberto Olivas

  • "When I'm working with the different Pacific Island communities, I must make sure that their way of being is always respected and regarded."

    Moerangi Falaoa

  • "You can't sustain an urban community without the voice of its citizens."

    Louise Spiegel

  • "Students have more of a sense that 'maybe we can do that, too.'"

    Katy Harriger

Podcasts

  • David Mathews discusses Education Research
  • Speaking of Politics Interview

Community

HOW DO COMMUNITIES OF CITIZENS WORK TOGETHER?

Another core hypothesis of Kettering’s research is that a democracy not only requires responsible individuals who can make sound choices, it also requires a society of citizens, or a community, who can work together. Beyond a set of impersonal institutions and artificial techniques, what community spaces and networks are critical to developing habits of active citizenship?  

While scholars lament the decline of community, in what ways are citizens shaping the future of their communities?

Kettering asks its joint learning partners to share their experiments in critical moments in the normal routines of politics that provide opportunities for citizens to do public work and allow citizens to make a difference in their communities.

The foundation hopes to learn how democratic practices of naming, framing, decision making, committing resources, organizing public action, and learning, might be integrated in a politics of change that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Learn More

Communities at Work
Why are people in certain communities able to join forces and get a handle on their problems while others aren’t? Kettering has learned a great deal about how people in communities work together to solve their problems.

The Ecology of Democracy
Democracy exists at two levels: at the institutional level, which includes elections, lawmaking, and the delivery of services; and an organic foundation of ad hoc associations and civic organizations. This organic level is at the foundation of the institutional system, and that is where political democracy is rooted.

Exploring the Wetlands
Using an analogy to the wetlands, Kettering explains the concept of organic politics.

Explore More of Kettering's Research on Communities

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