The Madison Lincoln Initiative

A non-profit, non-partisan California corporation whose purpose is to support the perpetuation of our nation’s democratic republic by helping high schools and colleges foster Civil Discourse, Constitutional Literacy, and Democratic Engagement.

The Madison-Lincoln Initiative

Welcome to The Madison-Lincoln Initiative

We are dedicated to strengthening civics education across the state by providing educators, students, and communities with resources, guidance, and actionable programs to create informed and engaged citizens.

Join us in our mission to invigorate civics education and ensure every student has the opportunity to understand their role in democracy.

In 2023, our Founder, Luis P. Sanchez, JD, LLM, retired from a lengthy career in higher education but was not ready for a life of leisure. He returned to the practice of law and developed the Madison-Lincoln Initiative out of his concern that Americans are increasingly polarized into two dominant political tribes which have become increasingly extreme and increasingly hostile to “the other side”, with threats of another Civil War and violent confrontations becoming normalized. The Madison-Lincoln Initiative seeks to promote constitutional literacy, civic engagement, and civil discourse among America’s youth as an antidote to the disintegration of our common bond.

Our History

03

Civil Discourse

01

Integrity in Public Office

05

Media Literacy and Lucidity

02

Constitutional Literacy

04

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

Integrity in government is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. When leaders act with honesty and accountability, citizens can trust that decisions are made for the common good rather than personal gain. This trust empowers people to participate openly, hold officials accountable, and feel genuine ownership of their government and collective destiny. Without integrity, democratic engagement weakens; with it, democracy thrives through transparency, responsibility, and shared commitment to justice.

Integrity in Public Office

Civic Engagement

03

Civil Discourse

Integrity in Public Office

01

04

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

02

Constitutional Literacy

05

Media Literacy and Lucidity

A fundamental understanding of the principles, structure, and major provisions outlined in the United States Constitution. Constitutional literacy is crucial for citizens to actively participate in democracy, uphold the rule of law, and hold elected officials accountable. It involves comprehension of the Constitution's historical context, its interpretation by the judiciary, and its relevance in contemporary society.

Constitutional Literacy

03

Civil Discourse

04

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

05

Media Literacy and Lucidity

Integrity in Public Office

01

Constitutional Literacy

02

Civil discourse, essential in politics, involves respectful and constructive exchanges among individuals or groups with differing viewpoints. It promotes listening, considering alternatives, and finding common ground whenever possible through reasoned dialogue rather than personal attacks. Civil discourse fosters understanding, cooperation, and democratic processes by encouraging mutual respect and free exchange of ideas.

Civil Discourse

Civic Engagement

04

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

05

Media Literacy and Lucidity

Integrity in Public Office

01

Constitutional Literacy

02

Civil Discourse

03

Critical reasoning is essential for genuine democratic engagement because it enables citizens to evaluate information, question assumptions, and distinguish between sound arguments and manipulation. Without this skill, public discourse risks being driven by misinformation or emotional appeals rather than evidence and fairness. Critical reasoning sustains integrity in dialogue, helps people recognize diverse perspectives, and supports policies grounded in truth and justice.

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

Constitutional Literacy

02

Civil Discourse

03

Critical Reasoning / Democratic Engagement

04

05

Media Literacy and Lucidity

Integrity in Public Office

01

In a society that cherishes free speech, genuine media literacy is essential. It empowers citizens to discern accurate information from misinformation, to question sources critically, and to engage in public dialogue with clarity and integrity. Without this skill, free expression can be undermined by distortion and manipulation. With it, individuals strengthen democratic engagement, hold leaders accountable, and ensure that the marketplace of ideas remains a space for truth, responsibility, and shared progress.

Media Literacy and Lucidity

Civic Engagement

Constitutional
Literacy

Civil
Discourse

Democratic
Engagement

Maintaining Civil Discourse

The name of our non-profit organization recognizes the role of James Madison, fourth president of the United States and chief architect of the US Constitution, and Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States, whose leadership through the Civil War resulted in the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution, thus ending the scourge of slavery and guaranteeing all Americans the “Equal Protection” of the laws. Although our nation would not achieve full equality until women were finally given the right to vote through the 19th amendment and the pernicious Jim Crow laws were banished by the Civil Rights Act, the influence of presidents Madison and Lincoln on the Constitution that has bound our nation for a quarter-millennium cannot be overstated.