Institute of American Civics

09/16/2026

How did the Framers design the Constitution to protect individual liberty?

IAC Executive Director Joshua Dunn explored the structural safeguards of the Constitution during a lecture at historic Blount Mansion, home of Constitution signer William Blount.

“A Government of Laws and Not of Men: The Structural Foundations of Constitutional Liberty” examines how the Constitution diffuses authority, restrains abuses of power and helps safeguard individual rights.

Watch the full lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i04UVmrBN4

Here we have another one of our fantastic semi quincentennial lectu...

09/15/2026

🗳️ Vols Vote. Make sure you’re ready!

Today is National Voter Registration Day. Vols Vote encourages all Vols to take a moment to register to vote, update their information or check their voter registration status.

Your vote starts with being registered.

🔗 https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/

09/15/2026

Constitution Day | September 17

What connects the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address?

The IAC welcomes historian and author Dr. Allen C. Guelzo for a Constitution Day lecture exploring how the Declaration's promise of equality shaped Lincoln's understanding of the Civil War and the American experiment.

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4qZxDDa

09/11/2026

Thinking about a career in public policy?

Yuval Levin has some advice.

Watch the full IAC Conversations: https://bit.ly/46pwYS2

09/10/2026

Who should hold the power to declare war?

The Institute of American Civics joined the Rotary Club of Knoxville for a Constitutional Conversation exploring the balance of war powers between Congress and the president.

Associate Director William Lyons led the discussion, inviting members to consider the constitutional framework, historical context and an enduring debate over who has the authority to commit the nation to war.

09/08/2026

A warm welcome from one Board Fellow (Bill Haslam) to another.

The IAC Board of Fellows brings together leading voices in American civic life to help guide the Institute’s work.

Learn more about Levin’s appointment: bit.ly/4zBgsf5

09/05/2026

Why can the American Constitution be so frustrating?

Yuval Levin on the tension at the heart of our system of government.

Watch the full IAC Conversations: https://bit.ly/46pwYS2

09/03/2026

What's driving our mistrust of institutions?

Yuval Levin on power, restraint, and the role institutions ask us to play.

From IAC Conversations. Watch the full conversation: https://bit.ly/46pwYS2

09/02/2026

A welcome from one Board Fellow to another.

IAC Board Chair A.B. Culvahouse on Levin’s appointment: “We are excited to have him participate as the Institute charts its path forward.”

Learn more about Levin’s appointment: bit.ly/4zBgsf5

09/01/2026

"It does not have to be this bad"

Yuval Levin on why he sees reason for optimism.

Watch the full conversation: https://bit.ly/46pwYS2