Civic Insighter

Urban Jungles Make Great Cities—Here’s How

6 insights on urban trees from Mexico City, Singapore, Paris, and beyond

Aug 9 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

11

4

April 2025

U.S. Civics Education Has Two Blind Spots

Students—future voters—need to learn about local government and policy implementation.

Apr 7 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

23

1

March 2025

Tolls Show a Road to Seamless Services—Without Federal Gridlock

E-ZPass works across 20 states without federal control. What else could work this way?

Mar 14 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

7

4

2

February 2025

Beyond Federal Chaos: Let States and Cities Govern

For long-term U.S. civic health, decentralize power.

Feb 20 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

14

1

January 2025

My 2024: 24 Photos from 12 Countries

Laos, Turkmenistan, China, Argentina, North Macedonia, Vietnam, Mexico, Britain, and beyond

Jan 22 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

7

2

December 2024

I Vacationed in Baghdad (Twice!)

9 observations, and many photos, from Iraq’s fascinating capital. Consider visiting!

Dec 13, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

8

4

Civil-Service Flexibility: Empower Managers, Not Politicians

We can create more flexibility in government hiring without returning to the spoils system. The key: empowering civil-servant managers.

Dec 6, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

7

7

1

November 2024

State Capacity is a Net Positive

We need efficient and effective government—no matter who is in charge.

Nov 22, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

7

1

There’s More to Life Than the Federal Government

Local government has a huge impact on your life—and you can make a difference!

Nov 13, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

26

6

October 2024

Mexico’s Approach to Branding City and State Administrations

Municipal and state governments in Mexico often have logos representing entire elected administrations rather than just one politician.

Oct 27, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

3

La estrategia curiosa de marcas para gobiernos en México

Los gobiernos municipales y estatales en México a menudo tienen logotipos que representan administraciones electas completas en lugar de un solo…

Oct 27, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

How to Fix DC’s Bus Numbers While Minimizing Confusion

DC’s bus routes are being redrawn—and renumbered. Instead of starting from scratch, building on the existing numbers could ease the transition.

Oct 6, 2024 • 

Greg Jordan-Detamore

7