It is finally happening! I'm excited to announce that I have partnered with Amplify Publishing Group to publish my first book, which will be titled Civics 4 All: A Survival Guide to American Government and Politics. It is scheduled for release this winter, just in time for the holiday season. Today, however, I am offering you a sneak peek! The book's introduction is included near the end of this post, and it provides an excellent roadmap of the themes and topics that will be discussed. However, before you read it, I want to take a moment to properly introduce myself and explain why I decided to write this book.
I've been blogging and posting for years now using the brand "Civics 4 All." For those of you who don't know me, my name is Roneka Matheny. I'm a forty-one-year-old black woman from the suburbs of Charleston, South Carolina, who is incredibly passionate about civic education. I'm not a collective or a formal organization, and I write all of my own content. In fact, I don't even have a marketing team for this book release. I designed my own website to promote the book (civics4all.org/book), and every ad you see for it will be created by me.
If you're wondering where my passion comes from, I'd have to say it's the way I was raised. My parents were deeply involved in the community and served on all kinds of committees. My dad was president of the local Sertoma Club, for example, and I remember going door-to-door with my mom to ask neighbors for their support when she ran for the local school board. I went to town council meetings with them, and they always took me to vote on Election Day (which you'll hear more about in the introduction below). They instilled in me a love for service and involvement in our local community.
With that mindset, I went off to college and earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies from Emory University and a Master's Degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University. Then I returned to my hometown, where I taught Political Science and African American Studies at the College of Charleston for six years. I also served as an elections official in Charleston County in 2016 and 2018. I continued that tradition of service when I moved to Michigan by serving as an elections official in Saginaw County in 2020, 2022, and 2024. I also worked as a staff writer for well-known political information websites like Ballotpedia during that time.
Through these experiences, I have had the opportunity to interact with thousands of voters. I've met people of all ages, races, and backgrounds who love this country and love their communities just as much as I do. However, I was surprised to see how uninformed so many of them were about the way our government and political system work. I've researched and written about this problem for years, and I finally came to the conclusion that we are thinking about civic education all wrong in this country.
We rely on teachers to educate the next generation about what it means to be a citizen and treat civic education like it's just another branch of social studies. In practice, this means students in America's schools learn about civics for a few weeks in elementary and middle school and a semester or two in high school. Somehow, we expect this to be a strong enough foundation to build a lifetime of political decisions and community involvement on. However, it's NOT enough. Civic education isn't confined to the K-12 classroom; it's a process that requires lifelong learning. As Americans, we all need to stand up and take responsibility for educating ourselves about how our government and political system work. This will put us on the path to start solving society's problems instead of just blaming each other for creating them.
I truly believe that improving civic education for all Americans can help us solve many of the problems our country faces. However, I also understand that it will not be easy to accomplish. Most adults do not have access to the organized, comprehensive, nonpartisan information about government and politics that we offer students in civics classes at the college level. Attending classes at a local university or community college, for example, can be too expensive and time-consuming--even if the classes are online. While there are helpful resources online, they are rarely comprehensive or nonpartisan. After all, "doing your own research" has been known to lead the most well-intentioned people down rabbit holes filled with misinformation and conspiracy theories.
I decided to write Civics 4 All: A Survival Guide to American Government and Politics because I believe that every American deserves access to the same civic education that we offer students at the college level. Using the information I taught students in my American Government classes at the College of Charleston, this book offers you a civics refresher course that you can take on your own time and at your own pace. I've also included relevant stories, some commentary, and a little humor along the way to keep things interesting.
I realize that this is a difficult time for many Americans. Every day seems to bring new political developments that impact our lives like never before. I decided to take some time away from social media to reflect on ways to contribute something positive in this moment. Instead of adding to the feelings of political division, anger, and fear that are consuming America, I decided to focus on what I do best: educating others. This book is my attempt to give back to a country that has given me so much. Please take a few minutes to read the introduction to Civics 4 All: A Survival Guide to American Government and Politics below:
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I was eight years old when it happened. The spark that ignited my lifelong passion came while watching television with my family one night. It was the summer of 1992. My big brown eyes were wide with excitement as I plopped down on the carpet in front of the couch. It was late, but I had so much sugar that day that sleep was the last thing on my mind. The show was starting. I loudly shushed everyone to make sure they wouldn’t ruin my favorite part. “Here it comes,” I whispered to myself. Then, in perfect unison with the announcer, I yelled, “It’s the Arsenioooooooo Hall Show!” We all laughed and settled in to watch the show.
That particular night, a young presidential candidate named Bill Clinton was the special guest.* My parents were small business owners and community leaders who paid close attention to politics, so I remembered hearing his name around our house. Nothing I heard, however, prepared me for the saxophone-playing, sunglass-wearing, story-telling jokester that I saw that night. I was mesmerized. Until then, I only thought of politics as the boring obsession of old people who never talked about anything I could understand. That night, however, I realized how wrong I was. Clinton had found a way to make politics seem exciting, engaging, and fun, and I was hooked. I insisted on going to the polls with my mom on Election Day so I could personally press the voting machine button next to his name. I had been going to vote with my parents for as long as I could remember, but this was the first time that I really understood what it meant. It was the first year I could identify the candidate we were going to vote for and explain why I wanted him to win.
Clinton pulled off a surprising victory that year, which cemented the experience as a defining moment in my life. That sounds dramatic, but his appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show really did spark my interest in politics, and his victory taught me about the power of voting. Knowing that regular people like my mom and I helped elect the most powerful person in the world made me feel like a superhero. That feeling stayed with me throughout my life, inspiring me to study and later teach political science, serve as an election worker in multiple states, and write about politics and government for a living.
Over the years, I’ve heard a few similar political origin stories. Key moments like Ronald Reagan’s address to schoolchildren after the 1986 Challenger explosion and Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech created a similar spark for political scientists and writers that I know. Each one of us has dedicated our lives to studying and teaching politics, writing about government, and putting these lessons into practice in our local communities. In other words, we’re political nerds. Like other kinds of nerds, political nerds have developed a secret language over the years, filled with professional jargon, acronyms, theoretical concepts, and unnecessarily large words. This secret language fuels our research and collaboration, but it also traps us in an echo chamber, limiting our interactions outside of the group and hindering our ability to communicate with regular people. The truth is, most Americans don’t have political origin stories because they are neither as passionate about nor as interested in politics as we are. I decided to write this book for them.
Even though it’s literally my job to follow the daily twists and turns of politics, I have to admit that it can be exhausting. With a different job, a bigger family, or a more active social life, I’m not sure how I would keep up. That’s exactly the situation tens of millions of Americans find themselves in when they skip the President’s latest speech or miss the latest controversial statement that X politician made about Y issue because they are too busy living their lives. Most people don’t have the time or the energy to figure out when Congress votes on the issues they care about or to research which members support their positions. Instead, they tend to settle for second-hand descriptions of political events and candidates from their favorite media personalities, talk show hosts, and online sources. Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with this. It only becomes a problem when these sources decide to mix facts with personal opinions and political spin. January 6, 2021, showed us what can happen when the sources that voters trust to report the news also tell them what to think about that news, who to blame for it, and how they should react.**
To be honest, trust is not really a word that should be used in politics. Over the past few years, politicians and media personalities have lied to the American people so frequently and so convincingly that it feels like we can’t even agree on the truth anymore. Despite their best efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic also revealed that the government agencies and professional news organizations we rely on for information can mislead us and make mistakes. Logical is not a word that should be used in politics either, especially since politics seems like more of a tangled web of ambition and competition that defies logic. It’s also hard to argue that a government as frustratingly complex and redundant as ours makes any logical sense. The truth is, Americans need more than trust and logic to make good political decisions, we need a better understanding of government and politics.
What if I told you that every American has a tool specifically designed to help them understand how government works? It’s called civic education, and it is the most important tool in a voter’s toolbox. To be clear, when I say civic education, I’m not talking about the government class you took in high school or the political science class you took in college. They were only a small part of a larger process of lifelong learning. Your civic education actually started as a child with your earliest memories of Fourth of July cookouts, Thanksgiving school plays, and that cartoon bill singing about Congress. Events like these provided you with an early introduction to American history and built the foundation for your future learning. As you grew older, you were introduced to opportunities for hands-on learning. Your teachable moments were participating in student council elections and mock trials. Even voting for reality show winners helped to demonstrate the real-world consequences of political actions.
Believe it or not, civic education has never been confined to the classroom. That’s a modern misconception. Civic education is a tool that every American child is given, and we are each responsible for strengthening and sharpening it as we become voters and mature citizens. When nurtured properly, civic education can become a powerful weapon for cutting through political spin and misinformation. However, when ignored and neglected, it becomes useless, leaving voters vulnerable to manipulation by selfish politicians and political pundits.
Most Americans agree with the idea that we need to improve civic education in the abstract. They look at the people they disagree with most and think, “Those idiots are the reason this country needs better schools.” What they don’t understand is that schools are neither the cause nor the solution for this particular problem. Most high school students graduate around the same age they become eligible to vote. At that time, they often face the most important decisions of their lives: whether to go to college, which career path to follow, where to live, and most importantly for our purposes, whether to register to vote.
If they decide to register, each new voter must then decide whether to remain uninformed or take proactive steps to become an informed voter. Informed voters follow the news regularly and research candidates and their positions before each election. Uninformed voters, on the other hand, are limited by the civic knowledge and opinions they developed in high school. Instead of seeking out new information, they prefer to “get a feel” for candidates by relying on their personalities and political parties. That is, if these voters pay attention to politics at all. Instead of judging uninformed voters, however, we should ask ourselves a question: “Why does America stop preparing its citizens for their most important responsibility at the age of eighteen?”
Think about it this way. Americans typically learn how to drive as teenagers. Once we learn the rules of the road and prove our driving competence through written and road tests, there is no requirement that we be tested again (unless we mess up badly enough to get into trouble with the law). Voting, however, is nothing like driving. There is a test—in the form of an election—at least every other year. While the rules of the road rarely change, the rules of politics and government are constantly in motion. Every time a President issues a new executive order, Congress passes new legislation, or the Supreme Court decides a new case, the federal government is changing the rules. Likewise, every time a state’s governor makes a proclamation, a state legislature writes a statute, or a state court makes a ruling, that state’s government is changing the rules. In fact, each element of American government and politics is constantly working to change the status quo. Sometimes these elements work together to accomplish this goal, but they are usually working against each other instead. It’s up to the American people to follow what is happening and hold the politicians involved accountable for their actions. In order to do this effectively, we need to understand how politics and government work.
Every discussion about civics inevitably leads to handwringing about taxes and how we can’t afford to pour more money into the public education system. Let’s be honest, what we can’t afford is to wait for the next generation to grow up before we find solutions for America’s political problems. It’s time for voters to step up and take responsibility for their own civic education. Let’s change the narrative. Civic education isn’t some societal problem that needs to be fixed, it’s a personal responsibility that comes with American citizenship.
At this point, you may be wondering what YOU can do to sharpen your own civic education tool. Well, you’ve already taken the first step. This book is a handy guide to American government and politics that will make the perfect refresher course for people hoping to learn on their time and at their own pace. Think of it as a class for one. I’ll be your personal guide on this journey through the history, structure, and functions of American government and politics. We’ll break down the political lingo and explore the complexities of American government in plain language. We’ll discuss politics the same way I would with my friends and family: with a lot of truth-telling, a little bit of humor, and nothing but the best intentions.
Here's an important disclaimer: While this book may be about government and politics, it is not partisan. As an educator, I believe that EVERYONE can benefit from this kind of civic education refresher. It doesn't matter who you voted for (or whether you chose to vote at all), every American needs to understand the rights and responsibilities that come with their citizenship. Democrats, Republicans, independents, and non-voters are all cordially invited to join me on this educational journey. Just hang on, because it's going to be a wild ride!
Chapter One begins with a comprehensive exploration of civic education in America, tracing its historical roots from the ancient world to the contemporary classroom. It reviews empirical data showing the level of political knowledge among average American citizens and examines the implications of these findings for individuals and society. The chapter also provides a foundational understanding of the key political terms and concepts that are necessary for informed civic engagement.
The next four chapters delve into the fundamental components of the American government, which are the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, and political parties. Chapter Two explores the multifaceted office of the U.S. Presidency. It examines the President's constitutional powers and duties, as well as the informal powers that shape the office. Chapter Two also delves into key topics like the Electoral College, the presidential line of succession, impeachment, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, and term limits.
Chapter Three explores the intricacies of the U.S. Congress, taking deep dives into concepts like political representation, congressional leadership, the legislative process, committees, and redistricting. It discusses the unique roles and responsibilities of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also analyzes the influence of political parties on congressional decision-making. Finally, it discusses the challenges Congress faces, including political polarization, legislative gridlock, and declining public trust.
Chapter Four explores the structure and functions of the American judicial system. It examines the concept of law, the history of the judicial branch, and the origins of its power. It discusses the process of judicial selection, including presidential appointments and Senate confirmation. Chapter Four also analyzes the role of judicial interpretation in shaping public policy and explains the principles of judicial review, stare decisis, and judicial activism. Finally, it considers the challenges facing the American Judiciary, including partisan division, declining public opinion, and the balance of power between the courts and the other branches of government.
Chapter Five explores the significance of political parties in the United States. It analyzes the impact of the Democratic and Republican parties on elections, public policy, and political participation. It also answers key questions, like why America has a two-party system, how political parties benefit democratic societies, and what the consequences are of hyper-partisanship.
The next three chapters rewind the clock and review the origin story of America. Chapter Six focuses on the question, “Who are the American people?” It defines the concepts of citizenship and immigration and retells the story of America’s founding. It also includes the full text of the Declaration of Independence. Along the way, it also examines the history of America’s immigration laws and reviews recent data on the noncitizen population in the United States.
When James Madison emerged from the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he was asked what type of government had been created. He replied, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” The U.S. Constitution establishes a framework for our democratic-republic. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which proved inadequate for governing a growing nation. The Constitution outlines the structure and powers of the federal government. It also guarantees us individual rights and liberties. Chapters Seven reviews the details of our nation’s founding document and includes its full text.
Our Constitution begins with the line, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…” Sometimes, forming a more perfect union requires us to change the Constitution itself. The U.S. Constitution, a remarkable document, has been amended twenty-seven times since its ratification in 1788. These amendments reflect the nation's evolving ideals and its need to adapt to changing circumstances. Chapter Eight reviews the full text and context of each constitutional amendment.
Chapter Nine explores the reader’s role in American democracy through an examination of public opinion and American elections. Public opinion polling is essentially a stethoscope that reveals the heartbeat of the American people. Candidates, political parties, and news organizations pay millions of dollars each year to find out what the public thinks about a variety of issues. Chapter Nine discusses polling and helps readers determine when poll results are trustworthy. It also discusses the most important right that comes with U.S. citizenship: the right to vote. The chapter ends with a discussion of election administration in the United States as I try to dispel some of the myths and misinformation surrounding them.
After reviewing the educational journey we have taken throughout the book and discussing a few of the topics I omitted, Chapter Ten focuses on the future of civic education. I discuss my passion for moving civics beyond the classroom and explain the concept of a civics community education movement. I also review the story of Black History Month to illustrate how much everyday people can accomplish when we take responsibility for educating ourselves.
Well, what are you waiting for? Turn the page, and let’s get started!
* Former President Bill Clinton (D) appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show during his campaign on June 3, 1992 (Spiegel, 2015).
** The Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol concluded that participants were motivated by the belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from President Donald Trump (Thompson et al., 2022). Fox News made this claim on air repeatedly, and as a result, was found liable for defaming Dominion Voting Systems, a company its on-air personalities accused of manipulating votes during the 2020 election (Dominion Voting Systems Corporation, Inc. v. Fox News Network, LLC, 2023).
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Traditional pre-orders of Civics 4 All: A Survival Guide to American Government and Politics will be available through major retailers in the coming months in paperback, as well as ebook and audiobook formats. I hope you take the opportunity to purchase it and refresh your civic education skills.
However, the best way to show your support NOW is by joining the Civics 4 All Club!
CLICK HERE to join the Civics 4 All Club with a one-time payment of $49.95! You'll enter your name, email, delivery address, and personalized message request at checkout. It's that simple! There are no recurring monthly or annual charges.
Join me on this journey! Together, we can improve civic education in America one person at a time!