Groundwork: Democracy Close to Home

At a time of political gridlock and polarization at the national level, Groundwork explores the tone and flavor of democratic action in towns and cities, where one’s antagonist is not an opposing talking head or a politician from a state of a different “color,” but a neighbor.

The one-hour special includes these stories:

Energy: The people of Caroline, New York wrestle over the controversial gas drilling method known as fracking. Producer: Jonathan Miller

Civil Rights / Values: The debate over North Carolina’s Marriage Amendment in an African American church in Hickory, NC. Producer: John Biewen. [A version of this story aired on Weekend Edition on May 6. That segment is expanded in this special.]

Immigration: In San Juan, Texas, the debate over how aggressively to police the border. Producer: Maria Martin

Citizen control of government spending: The “participatory budgeting” experiment in Chicago’s 49th Ward. Producer: John Biewen [This story aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on May 26.]

Young people and democracy: A look at how young people are engaging in politics and social action four years after the Obama Wave. Producer: Karen Michel in
Los Angeles.

Environment: Fishermen in Kodiak, Alaska, their livelihoods threatened by ocean acidification, take steps to make their voices heard on carbon emissions. Producer: John Biewen