At the core of all America’s great progress and achievements lies civil society, a fundamental yet often overlooked element of American life. Civil society is the product of individual initiative and voluntary cooperation for the common good, fostering charity, trust, and feelings of goodwill. In a healthy society, citizens are not passive recipients of government policy but active participants in their own communities, engaging in self-governance by extension. This bottom-up model of problem-solving promotes accountability, builds trust, and strengthens the moral and social fabric that makes a free society possible.

The importance of civil society is something Americans have historically understood well. Early American colonists were industrious because they recognized that helping others strengthened their shared community and enhanced the wellbeing of all. They carried this spirit into their approach to government, where individuals were deeply involved in self-governance and felt a strong sense of responsibility for the decisions shaping their society.

As our country has grown and government has centralized, many Americans now feel less connected to both government and one another. Louisianans, however, continue to famously rise to the occasion to help their neighbors in times of need—whether after hurricanes, floods, or other crises. Yet, a longstanding tradition of corruption, red tape, and bureaucracy in state politics has left many Louisianans in the dark about what truly goes on in government, weakening communal ownership of civic affairs.

Louisiana faces some of the nation’s toughest challenges—poverty, education gaps, crime, and barriers to opportunity among them. Policymakers often respond with new spending or regulations, but these top-down solutions rarely address root causes. Voluntary associations, like local churches, charities, and nonprofits, have stepped in where government programs fall short, offering job training, disaster relief, housing assistance, and mentorship programs that are tailored to their communities. These efforts are immensely successful precisely because they are local and personal. They are rooted in familiarity, trust, and accountability—values that can’t be replicated by government mandates or programs.

Reinvigorating Louisiana’s civil society means restoring balance and accountability between government and community. Policymakers should focus on empowering—not replacing—individual and communal charity, as well as private and local institutions. That means removing barriers that make it harder for nonprofits and churches to operate, creating space for social entrepreneurs, and ensuring that tax and regulatory systems support community-led initiatives.

At the same time, citizens must remember that self-government starts with personal responsibility. Civic engagement—voting, volunteering, mentoring, or simply showing up—builds the social capital that holds our state together.

As Americans who rely on government safety net programs across the nation look with uncertainty toward Washington during this government shutdown, wondering if they will be able to access the resources they need, now more than ever civil society must step in to support neighbors and communities. In a culture grounded in charity and trust, people shouldn’t have to worry about finding a helping hand—the principle should be woven into the social fabric itself, providing a sense of security and goodwill.

Civil society is the heartbeat of a free and prosperous state. When communities take ownership of their own challenges, solutions become more compassionate, creative, and effective. Government has a role to play in society, but it should be one of background support. Louisianans should be wary of any policy that seeks to replace or undermine individual initiative for the common good—whether by crowding out the role of voluntary organizations or assuming that people are incapable of competent, good-hearted civic engagement.

Revitalizing America’s tradition of robust, engaged civil society is essential to ensuring that our nation, our state, and our communities remain empowered to flourish.