Eric Liu: Why ordinary people need to understand power

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of making civics engaging again by focusing on power literacy. They argue that civics, the art of citizenship, should be about understanding how power works, who has it, and how it influences society. The speech highlights the current problem of civic disengagement and ignorance about power, particularly in the United States. The speaker emphasizes that cities are the best places to practice civic power and that localism, networked globally, can lead to profound changes. Ultimately, they call for collective efforts to democratize power and inspire civic participation.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Civics, though often perceived as boring, is crucial to understanding power and its role in society.
• 🏙️ Cities offer the best arena for practicing and teaching civics in today's world.
• 🔑 Power is neutral, not inherently good or evil, and governs all forms of government, from democracies to dictatorships.
• 🧠 Many people are illiterate when it comes to power—understanding who has it, how it operates, and its flow.
• 💼 A small group of people with power literacy often wield disproportionate influence over civic life.
• 🌍 Localism is emerging as a powerful force, with cities becoming hubs for innovation and collective action on global issues.
• 🚦 Everyday decisions in cities, from where to place streetlights to how businesses operate, involve different forms of power.
• 💡 Civic education should focus on the teaching of power: understanding values, systems, and the skills to enact change.
• 📚 The solution to civic disengagement is reimagining civics as power literacy, empowering citizens to act effectively.
• 🔄 The speaker encourages writing future narratives about one’s city to discover how to read and exercise power.

Q & A

What is the speaker's primary goal in this speech?

The speaker aims to make civics engaging and relevant again, emphasizing the need to teach power literacy and encourage active civic participation, especially at the city level.

Why does the speaker believe the word 'civics' has a boring or soporific effect?

The speaker believes that the word 'civics' is often seen as virtuous but dull because it signifies something important yet inherently boring and disconnected from daily life.

What does the speaker mean by 'power literacy'?

Power literacy refers to understanding how power works in civic life—how decisions are made, who holds power, and how it can be used to create change. The speaker stresses that many people lack this understanding.

How does the speaker define power?

Power is defined as the capacity to make others do what you would have them do. The speaker emphasizes that power itself is neutral and not inherently good or evil.

Why does the speaker believe cities are the best arenas for practicing power?

The speaker believes cities are ideal arenas for practicing power because they are where everyday issues and decisions directly affect people’s lives, allowing citizens to engage in meaningful, localized problem-solving.

What are some examples the speaker gives of civic power being used effectively?

Examples include voters in Boulder, Colorado, attempting to replace a private power company with a publicly owned utility, and the 'Machine' organization in Tuscaloosa influencing city politics through student government.

What are the three components of civics according to the speaker?

Civics consists of a foundation of values, an understanding of the systems that make the world operate, and a set of skills that help individuals achieve their goals and inspire others to join them.

How does the speaker suggest civic disengagement affects power distribution?

The speaker argues that civic disengagement leads to a concentration of power in the hands of a few who understand how to wield it, creating a vacuum that amplifies inequality and reduces democratic participation.

What role does the speaker believe localism plays in modern civic life?

The speaker believes localism is increasingly important, as local ecosystems of civic engagement are innovating and spreading solutions across cities globally, bypassing national government gridlock.

How does the speaker propose individuals become more literate in power?

The speaker proposes that individuals become more literate in power by learning how to identify and understand the various forms of power at play in their cities, engaging in real-world problem-solving, and sharing their knowledge through collective learning experiences.