Teaching the Challenges Facing Democracy
This collection of threats to democracy lesson plans helps secondary educators guide students through some of the most urgent civic challenges facing democratic systems today. As students ask questions like What are the biggest threats to democracy? and How can democracies weaken or backslide?, these resources provide historical context, current examples, and opportunities for critical analysis.
Lessons explore key topics including misinformation, voter suppression, political violence, the erosion of democratic norms, and the role of media and civic participation in sustaining democracy. Students examine real-world case studies—from the events of January 6 to debates over book bans, gerrymandering, and domestic extremism—to better understand how democratic institutions function and how they can be undermined.
Designed to support critical thinking, media literacy, and civic understanding, this collection encourages students to consider why democracy depends on informed participation, civil discourse, and shared democratic values. The classroom-ready materials are flexible and discussion-focused, helping students engage thoughtfully with the question: What threatens democracy in the United States today—and what helps protect it?
