If democracy is going to heal, it needs a new aim—human thriving—and a practical path to get there. Political scientist Jenna Bednar calls this governance for human social thriving.
The Four Pillars:
- Dignity – Everyone deserves to be needed, heard, and able to shape our shared life.
- Community – True belonging means mutual investment, not just being in the same room.
- Beauty – Joy, creativity, and awe remind us that life together is worth the effort.
- Sustainability – Caring for our shared future gives our work purpose and direction.
These ideas match the Vital Conditions for Well-Being developed by the Rippel Foundation: humane housing, meaningful work, lifelong learning, belonging, and civic muscle.
How Change Spreads:
Healthy social norms—like trust and cooperation—spread through relationships. They don’t come from laws alone. They grow through repeated contact with trusted people across community “bridges.”
Government can help by supporting social infrastructure—places like libraries, faith halls, parks, and schools—where people learn to belong again. But the real change happens through participation, not decree.
Next Up:
In Part 3, we’ll connect these ideas with PTU’s Theory of Growth—how relationships and learning become the engine of civic renewal, and what guardrails help it work safely and well.
If you want to know more about Civic Hubs, go here: https://www.bettertogetheramerica.org/
Also, check out Braver Angels’ Citizen Led Soloutions: https://braverangels.org/citizen-led-solutions/