Is our system of government worth defending? Why?
Is the U.S. Government
a Democracy or a Republic?
How does it work?
Can we trust it?
Should we?
Is the presidency too strong?
What are the pros and cons of federalism?
Our Learning Materials
Relevant, Non-Partisan,
Practical Knowledge
Expert Reviewers
We strive to ensure each of our courses is of the highest quality. Each course has been reviewed by at least one if not several experts in civic education, U.S. history, constitutional law, political science, or other applicable fields.
Jay Barth
M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Distinguished Professor of Politics, Emeritus;
Hendrix College
Cheryl Cook-Kallio
State Coordinator for California We the People and Project Citizen
Matthew Crenson
Professor Emeritus and Academy Professor,
John Hopkins University
Jennifer Dresden
Associate Director, Democracy and Governance Program
Georgetown University
Benjamin Ginsberg,
David Bernstein Professor of Political Science,
Johns Hopkins University
John Kincaid
President of the Center for the Study of Federalism,
Director of the Meyner Center of State and Local Government,
Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service,
Lafayette College
Mark J. Molli
Associate Director (Retired)
Center for Civic Education
Kenneth Newton
Professor of Comparative Politics, Emeritus
University of Southampton
Mark J. Rozell
Dean and Ruth D. and John T. Hazel Chair in Public Policy,
Schar School of Policy and Government,
George Mason University
Sonja Zmerli
Professor of Political Science
Sciences Po Grenoble
Our Team
We are drawn from conservative, progressive and independent thinkers. Our ages range from low 20s through the 80s. Most of our board members have deep experience in teaching or promoting democracy around the world, and some have been actively involved in politics at the local, state, and national levels.
Partnership
Ballotpedia is “The Encyclopedia of American Politics.” They cover political candidates and incumbents, ballot measures, election results, and redistricting—at the federal, state, local, and territorial levels. They also provide the basics of how the American governmental system works, broad policy issues, and related concepts, terms, and their definitions. This is where we work together. See the Ballotpedia option on the Learning Center menu above.
Donate
Our courses are free for everyone only with help from good people like you.
“Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.” –John Adams
The Center for Free, Fair, and Accountable Democracy is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
EIN: 83-1505463
CFFAD is non-partisan. We do not participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
Financial statements are available from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.
Blog & Short Articles
What Weird New Case Involved the Separation of Powers?
Sometimes, lawsuits include surprising lessons about how our government is meant to work. The State of New Mexico v. Alexander Rae Baldwin (2023) certainly does. The case has yet to be decided and CFFAD has no opinion on what the fact are, nor what the ruling should be. That said, CFFAD was amazed to learn that the special prosecutor was
Student Loans & Separation of Powers
What does the separation of powers have to do with student loan forgiveness?
Thoughts About MLK Day 2023
Some things to think about on MLK Day and every day.
Bill of Rights Day: Dec. 15
Why does the Bill of Rights matter? Find out here!
Check Out Our Course on the Presidency
When the framers created the presidency, they were intent on solving two trust-related problems. One problem was how to harness political competition for the public good without the polarizing consequences they observed in England and Europe. The other problem was how to balance the need for an empowered executive to get things done against the risk of a tyrannical executive.