About The Structure of Democracy

The 'Structure of Democracy' is the way that we organize our government, political parties, and civic institutions to insure accountability between elected officials and the people. The struggle over ratification of the federal Constitution in 1787 started a debate over the structure of democracy in America that has continued ever since. Unfortunately, millions of Americans from all sides of the political spectrum are now saying that this structure of democracy isn't working anymore and they want it changed. But how to change it isn't clear. For this reason, the Institute for the Study of Civic Values has established this web page as a resource center for people working to promote democracy in America.

As an added resource, on September 24, 1996, O'Reilly and Associates released NetActivism: How Citizens Use the Internet, by ISCV President Ed Schwartz. This is a step-by-step guide for citizens who want to use email and the World Wide Web as tools for political empowerment. Even though it appeared in 1996, its advice on the strategic use of the Internet for civic empowerment remains valid today. In fact, NetActivism anticipated and predicted many of the ways that the Internet is now being used to influence the political process. It remains available through the Institute for the Study of Civic Values

Structure of Democracy: Email Lists

The key to networking with citizens who share your views throughout the country is joining an email list devoted to your interests. Here, we provide easy access to an online directory of political lists and to "E-Groups"--our pick for the best online service for creating email lists of your own.

• Searchable Guide to Email Lists
• E-Groups: Create Your Own Lists

Structure of Democracy: Representatives

The Structure of Democracy: Government

The Federal Government

• Citizen's Guide to the White House
• Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
• United States Senate
• Senate Committees
• Senate Republican Conference
• Senate Democratic Leadership
• US House of Representatives Home Page
• House Committees
• House Republican Conference
• House Democratic Caucus
• Federal Agencies (Yahoo List)
• Supreme Court Decisions

State and Local Governments

• State and Local Government on the Internet

Structure of Democracy: Political Parties

• Democratic National Committee
• Republican National Committee
• GOP Online
• Reform Party
• Green Parties of North America
• Libertarian Party

Structure of Democracy: Voter Participation, Voter Education

Voter Registration, Voter Participation, Voting Information

• Go Vote: 2000, America's Political Portal
• Democracy Network: Election Information by State
• Voter Registration, Procedures
• Federal Election Commission
• League of Women Voters
• California Voter Foundation
• The Vanishing Voter
• Federal Election Commission: Campaign Contributions

Activist Voter Education and Mobilization

• Youth Vote: 2000
• Rock the Vote (Youth Voter Registration, Education)
• Take a Friend to Vote Campaign
• American Association of University Women Voter Education Campaign
• Emily's List Women Vote Campaign
• Christian Coalition Voter Guide Campaign
• National Rifle Association: Vote 2000
• Operation BigVote: Black Participation
• NAACP Voter Empowerment Project

The Structure of Democracy: Interest Groups

Civic

• National Civic League
• Neighborhoods Online: National
• The Public Agenda
• Idealist: Action Without Borders(Non-Profits by State)

Liberal

• AFL-CIO
• League of Conservation Voters
• Feminist Activist Resources on the Internet
• National Education Association
• American Federation of Teachers
• Americans for Democratic Action
• Children's Defense Fund
• Stand for Children Web Site: Children's Defense Fund
• NAACP
• ACORN

Conservative

• Conservative News and Information
• American Conservative Union
• National Right to Life Committee
• Christian Coalition Home Page
• National Rifle Association
• The Heritage Foundation
• Constitution Society's Militias Page-Includes National Directory Militias

Structure of Democracy: Current Issues

Political Issues

• Grassroots.Com (Advocacy Around Issues)
• Project VoteSmart: Issue Information (comprehensive list)
• Policy.Com-Public Policy
• Conservative Public Policy Groups
• Electronic Policy Network (Liberal)
• Federal Budget and America's Communities
• Welfare Reform
• It Takes a Village to Raise a Child (Family, Education Debate)

Structure of Democracy: Reform

• Campaign Finance Reform
• Common Cause
• Alliance for Better Campaigns (Media and Campaigns)
• National Civic League: Alliance for National Renewal

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