Why should we care about government, anyway? With Eric Liu

Transition Lab

Once we leave high school social studies behind, government can feel distant, complex, impersonal and overwhelming. On today’s episode of Transition Lab, we talk with Eric Liu, co-founder of Citizen University. Eric established Citizen University to rebuild a civic culture in America and help individuals engage with one another across partisan lines and create positive ways for people to participate in democracy. He tells us about this work and the importance of the peaceful transfer of power as a civic ritual and proof of the rule of law.

Eric Liu now serves as the CEO of Citizen University, a nonprofit organization working to strengthen civil engagement across the U.S. He began his career in Washington on Capitol Hill and then in the Clinton White House, where he worked as a speechwriter and domestic policy adviser. He’s worked in the media and the social sector, including as the executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship and American Identity Program, and he served on the board of Corporation for National and Community Service under former President Obama. He has written multiple books, given TED Talks and been a tireless advocate for people to embrace their civic power and connect across partisan divide.

A complete transcript of the episode can be found ⁠here⁠.