Eric Liu: Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power

Summary

In this thought-provoking speech, the speaker emphasizes the importance of civics as the art of citizenship and the need to democratize the understanding of power. They argue that civic engagement and power literacy are essential to address growing civic inequality and disengagement. The speaker urges the audience to reimagine civics by focusing on local governance, particularly cities, as arenas for practicing power. By learning how to navigate power dynamics, citizens can drive meaningful change in their communities. The call to action encourages individuals to become proactive in shaping their cities' futures through a collective, participatory effort.

Takeaways

• 😀 Civics, though important, is often seen as boring and irrelevant, but it should be made exciting and engaging again.
• 😀 Civics is about being a responsible, pro-social contributor in a self-governing community, involving values, understanding systems, and developing necessary skills.
• 😀 Power is not inherently good or evil; it is simply the ability to make others do what you want, and it governs how governments operate.
• 😀 Power literacy is crucial, as many people are unaware of how power operates, leading to a concentration of influence in the hands of a few.
• 😀 There is widespread civic illiteracy, which contributes to disengagement from politics and decision-making processes in society.
• 😀 People need to understand and engage with power in order to make meaningful change and to avoid being left out of important societal decisions.
• 😀 The city is the best place to practice civic power, as local issues provide tangible ways to engage with and influence decision-making processes.
• 😀 Civic action at the local level can challenge established powers, as seen in cases like Boulder, Colorado, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
• 😀 Power in modern society is increasingly local, with cities becoming the focal points for innovation and change, bypassing national government barriers.
• 😀 The task now is to accelerate local efforts and engage more people in shaping their cities, using knowledge of power to drive social change and equality.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'making civics sexy again'?

The speaker is advocating for making the study and practice of civics more engaging and relevant, much like how it was during historical movements like the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement. The idea is to transform civics from something perceived as boring into a vital and exciting tool for change.

How does the speaker define civics?

Civics is defined as the art of being a pro-social, problem-solving contributor in a self-governing community. It involves understanding values, systems, and acquiring skills to actively participate in shaping the community and its decisions.

What is the speaker’s definition of power?

Power is simply the capacity to make others do what you would have them do. It’s not inherently good or evil but is a force that governs how all forms of government operate, whether democratic or dictatorial.

Why does the speaker argue that many people are 'illiterate in power'?

The speaker suggests that many people don’t understand how power works, who holds it, or how it affects their lives. This ignorance leads to a concentration of power in the hands of those who understand it, perpetuating inequality and civic disengagement.

How does civic illiteracy contribute to the concentration of power?

Civic illiteracy creates a vacuum where those who understand how power works—such as lobbyists, politicians, and elites—can easily manipulate systems to their advantage, leaving the general public disempowered and disconnected from civic processes.

What role does the city play in the practice of power according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that the city is the best arena for practicing and democratizing power. Local civic issues, from infrastructure to policies, provide opportunities for citizens to engage with and influence decision-making processes directly.

Can you provide examples of civic engagement in local cities mentioned in the speech?

The speaker cites examples such as the citizens of Boulder, Colorado, who replaced a private electric company with a publicly owned utility, and the student-led 'machine' in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which has extended its influence to city politics.

What does the speaker mean by 'localism' and why is it important?

'Localism' refers to the growing power of cities to address civic issues, bypassing national governments. The speaker argues that, in today’s globalized world, local movements are becoming more innovative, networked, and influential in creating social and political change.

What is the 'every man’s curriculum in civic power' mentioned in the speech?

The 'every man’s curriculum' is a project by Citizen University to create an accessible, inclusive curriculum focused on teaching civic power. It aims to help people understand how to influence their communities and navigate the systems of government, the marketplace, and social institutions.

How does the speaker suggest individuals practice and apply their understanding of power?

The speaker encourages individuals to write a narrative from the future about their city, describing how they achieved change and the power they wielded to make it happen. This exercise helps to better understand how to navigate power and engage in civic action.