The Bill of Obligations by Richard N. Haass Summary
Overview of The Bill of Obligations
In "The Bill of Obligations," Richard Haass challenges Americans to embrace ten civic duties essential for democracy's survival. Endorsed by Princeton's Dr. Glaude as "clear and thoughtful," this provocative manifesto asks: What if citizenship requires more than demanding rights?
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Key takeaways
When the Greatest Threat Comes From Within
What happens when the world's most powerful democracy begins to fracture from the inside? Throughout history, Americans have confronted external enemies-from British redcoats to Soviet missiles. But today's most dangerous adversary wears no uniform and carries no foreign flag. The January 6th insurrection wasn't just a riot; it was a preview of what happens when citizens forget that democracy isn't self-sustaining. We've spent generations celebrating our rights-free speech, gun ownership, religious liberty-while quietly neglecting the obligations that make those rights possible. Think of democracy as a bridge: rights are the steel cables that hold it up, but obligations are the concrete foundation beneath. Without both, the whole structure collapses. This isn't abstract political theory-it's the difference between peaceful transitions of power and chaos in the Capitol. Benjamin Franklin's warning echoes across centuries: "A republic, if you can keep it." We're discovering how prescient that "if" was.
Engineering Democracy's Delicate Machine and Its Unraveling
The Informed Citizen: Democracy's Immune System
Participation: The Oxygen Democracy Breathes
The Lost Art of Democratic Compromise
Civility and Peace: Democracy's Twin Pillars
The Final Obligation: Country Before Party
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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