We the People—Braver. Together.

The political divide has broken many relationships. In Braver Angels, you can improve conversations and rebuild trust with friends, family, and coworkers you disagree with politically. 

• Take the Families and Politics eCourse

• Attend a workshop

• Listen to A Braver Way podcast

Respectful relationships are essential; yet more is needed to bring Americans together.  Citizenship plays a crucial role in bridging divides through dialogue and respectful engagement. 

• Citizenship - understand your rights and responsibilities as a citizen

• Constitution - understand the unity provisions in the Constitution

• Values - understand the values of your fellow Americans helps build respect and trust

• Causes of Division - increase your knowledge about how we got to where we are now.

Citizenship requires active participation to strengthen our democratic republic.

For new members, comfort level is an overlooked issue affecting participation.  Braver Angels encourages this three-step process for developing comfort level and increasing participation:

• Learner Role – Independent learning helps build knowledge and confidence.

• Observer Role - Observing conversations sets clear expectations for participation.

• Speaker Role - Gradual, supported participation builds communication skills.

Informed citizens understand multiple perspectives on important issues. By understanding others, you can build trust when listening to and understanding other opinions. In addition, you can gain a fuller view of complex issues.

Thomas Jefferson stated “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion.”

These methods will help you develop an informed opinion:

• Respectful conversation – spontaneous discussion on issue

• Structured discussion – read article and answer prepared questions 

• Discussion series – multiple structured discussions on a complex issue

• Common ground discussion – practice negotiation and compromise

Our nation's founders believed in the competition of ideas.  Sharing your views is both your right to free speech and how you participate in this competition of ideas.  In Braver Angels, you can become more confident about expressing your opinion more clearly. 

• • Teamwork Skill - Communication

A team that works together is a powerful role model for our fellow Americans.  In a team, a Braver Angels member can understand and practice the behavior that makes a Braver Citizen. Teamwork involves helping other members of your team to be successful. 

The Braver Angels Way, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and teamwork skills are closely related.  

• • Teamwork Skill - Respect

  • Teamwork Skill - Communication

  • Teamwork Skill - Collaboration

  • Teamwork Skill - Decision Making

  • Teamwork Skill - Leadership

In Braver Angels, an alliance and a team function the same.  

• • Engage with your local alliance

  • Start a local alliance!

If you are feeling skeptical, that's completely understandable.  In a time when divisions run deep, it's natural to question if you can truly make a difference.  What sets Braver Angels apart is our commitment to fostering honest, respectful conversations between people who disagree - without asking anyone to change their core beliefs.  Read more about concerns expressed by other skeptics and responses by Braver Angels. 

• • Questions and Answers

• • Rights and Responsibilities

  • How to Citizen

  • Constitution - Independent Study Version

  • Constitution - Discussion Group Version

  • Who is a Braver Citizen?

  • Rank Your Braver Citizen's Skills

• • Values - Topics Overview

  • Human Values

  • Moral Values

  • Religious Values

  • Foreign Policy Values

  • Viewpoint Diversity

  • Blue Viewpoint

  • Red Viewpoint

  • American Dream

• • Causes of Division - Topics Overview

  • Emotion

  • Trust

  • Power

  • Religion

  • Identity Politics

  • Politicians

  • Media

  • Money

  • Woodrow Wilson

  • Government

  • Courts

  • Individuals

  • Education

• • Federal Budget - Topics Overview

  • Concord Coalition Exercise

  • Social Security Reform

  • Medicare Reform

  • Federalism

  • Budget for Department of Defense

  • Raising Revenue: Tax Reform vs Economic Growth

• • Health Care Reform - Topics Overview

• • Education Reform - Topics Overview

• • Environment - Topics Overview

• • 1:1 Conversations

  • Workshops

  • Debates