Civic engagement is contributing and working to make a difference in the public life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and commitment to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community and solving public problems through both political and non-political processes. Civic engagement is under girded by constructs of collective action and social responsibility. Democratic engagement means engagement in a democracy. It is a central part of civic engagement, specifically related to applying learned skills, knowledge, and commitments to contribute to public life through the democratic political process. The HIR institute discussions and analysis focus on the democratizing aspects of these sectors, arguing that participation and mobilization lack the necessary popular foundations as well as organizational capacities that are necessary for participatory institutions to effectively enhance democracy