Constitutionalism and Civil Society ā Dr Luke Sheahan | September 10, 2026
Can American democracy survive without strong communities? Explore why civil society is essential to self-government.
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What protects American liberty beyond the Constitution and government institutions? In this 2026 Constitution Day PAC event at Cedarville University, Dr. Sheehan explores how voluntary associations, churches, families, and local communities sustain American constitutional self-government.
Drawing on Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America and Robert Nisbet's The Quest for Community, Dr. Sheehan examines the relationship between political power, individual liberty, and civil society. Through the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, he explains how America's constitutional tradition developed around self-governing communities and decentralized authority.
The lecture also addresses the decline of civic participation, the influence of technology and social media, and the importance of rebuilding meaningful associations in modern America. Can Americans recover the art of association that Tocqueville considered essential to democracy?
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Dr. Sheehan examines how voluntary associations and local communities sustain American constitutional self-government. Drawing on Alexis de Tocqueville, Robert Nisbet, and America's founding documents, he explores the relationship between civil society, political power, and individual liberty. The lecture also considers declining civic participation and how Americans can strengthen community life in an increasingly digital society.