The Character of American Democracy

This book is a good read for all Americans. Dr. Long Thompson has set an example for all of us in her remarkable career as politician and academician. In this book, she provides an instructive and insightful perspective on the role character plays in democracy. She convincingly argues that all of us, ordinary citizens and leaders alike, play the crucial role in ensuring fairness, integrity, and transparency to preserve and protect our country.

~The Honorable Lee Hamilton

Whether it has been in the political, governmental, academic or personal world, it was always clear to me that Jill Long Thompson has made the effort to comport herself with the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and character. Now she makes a strong, timely, and convincing argument on why we as a country need to refocus on these standards, and how we can do that. Not only should we expect more from our political and business leaders, but we need to challenge ourselves, in our personal behavior, to do better as well. The future of our 'experiment in democracy' depends on what we decide and what we do.

~The Honorable Paul Helmke

In her book The Character of American Democracy, Jill Long Thompson has written a bible for public service. She makes clear that the nation is facing a serious ethical crisis. Our forefathers created this nation because they believed in the character of the American people. In the political turmoil of our time, we have lost our way – our moral compass. But the strength of America lies in the spirit and character of our people. In a system of checks and balances, Jill believes that the ultimate check is the character and ethics of the American people. For the sake of our country, we pray she is right.

~The Honorable Leon Panetta

We live in an age that demonstrates the powerful need for ethics in government. Democracy is a privilege that carries with it important responsibilities for the people and their representatives. As we look back on this era and determine the future of this nation, Dr. Long Thompson's book will be a resource for Americans who are seeking ways to secure our democracy and our future as a nation.

~The Honorable John Lewis

The Character of American Democracy is a must-read for every person who values the ideals upon which our nation was founded. There has never been a more urgent time for us to look in the mirror and candidly assess how we are running our country. It is an awesome responsibility we all share. The Character of American Democracy provides us insight and guidance on how do it better.

~The Honorable Marcy Kaptur

The Character of American Democracy a must-read for everyone who cares about civility and ethics in politics and public affairs.

~Charles Taylor, Managing Director, Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State University

Dr. Long Thompson's book makes a persuasive case for not only the importance of ethics in leadership, but also the critical role that laws and policies play in supporting and encouraging such ethical behavior.

~Sam Berger, vice president of democracy and government reform at The Center for American Progress

Professor Long Thompson understands that ethical behavior is part of the foundation of our society.  Ethical behavior contributes to thoughtful discussion of diverse opinions and a productive and just country.  Her understanding goes beyond disciplinary silos and calls for ethical behavior by everyone, not just elected officials and business leaders.  She knows ethical behavior is instrumental to our daily activities, not an abstract concept.  Professor Long Thompson calls on all of us to behave ethically and hold our leaders accountable if we want to protect our democracy. 

~Andrew Downs, Director, Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, Purdue University Fort Wayne

The years of the Trump Administration have perhaps deadened America's sensitivity to norms of behavior and governance and to the imperative of ethical conduct. If we have, in Daniel Patrick Moynihan's term, defined deviancy down, it is urgent that raise our ethical standards back up, in government, business and throughout our society. These standards are the glue that keeps us together and brings legitimacy to the decisions our lawmakers and others leaders make. Jill Long Thompson, who knows from deep experience whereof she speaks, provides the roadmap and the imperative to gain back the character of our American democracy.

~Norman Ornstein, American Enteprise Institute, and co-author of One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported.

The Character of American Democracy is a timely and essential overview of what ordinary citizens and elected officials alike are called upon to do in a democracy that is fueled by a capitalist economy.

~Nuvo

Who would have ever thought we would witness a domestic insurrection at the United States Capitol that claimed the lives of five people? The guardrails of democracy held, but just barely. How we got here demands a deep examination of the American political experiment.  And that's precisely what we get from Jill Long Thompson's book The Character of American Democracy.  Long Thompson excavates and examines words and ideas sorely missing from our debate and dialogue, like ethics, character, fairness, integrity. Most importantly, Long Thompson shows us a way forward. This book is a manifesto for how elected officials and citizens all can and should play a role in ensuring free and fair elections and promoting public policy that serves the greater good.  We hear and read a lot about how broken our system seems to be. Refreshingly, Long Thompson provides a manual of how to fix and firm up the foundation of our democracy so that we can avoid future insurrections.

~Mark McKinnon, political advisor, reform advocate, media columnist, producer and co-host of 'The Circus:  Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth' on Showtime.

When President Biden said in his 2021 Memorial Day Speech at Arlington National Cemetery that "democracy is more than a form of government — it is a way of being," he could have been channeling Jill Long Thompson's marvelous (and marvelously readable) slim volume, The Character of American Democracy, an indispensable book about the ethical values that make democracy work. 

~— Laurence H. Tribe, Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus, Harvard Law School