Observing Civic Engagement

The contemporary U.S. is plagued by high levels of inequality, stark political divisions, and a crisis of democratic legitimacy. In previous periods of social turmoil in U.S. history, civil society organizations (CSOs) have responded by fostering civic engagement, facilitating social cohesion, and stimulating collective political action. These organizations, ranging from neighborhood associations to business associations to social movement groups, are ubiquitous in the U.S. and, as such, have long been a focus of social science research. While much is known about the range of experiences that participants may have inside CSOs, little is known about how often participants actually do have those experiences on a day-to-day basis—and how those internal dynamics influence CSOs’ effectiveness in generating greater civic participation, stimulating political action, and promoting social flourishing.