The Center for Democratic Values

Dr. Bill Benet is an educator/researcher/activist who developed the Polarities of Democracy theory at the University of Toronto in 2006. He has over 50 years experience in politics, peace & justice organizing, union activism, community development, small business management, organization development, social economy entrepreneurship, fostering colla... borative community/campus partnerships, and advancing the democratization of public education. Following three years in the US Army (1965-1968), he served 28 years in the Monroe County Legislature as an elected representative from Rochester, New York, including five years as Majority Leader. Dr. Benet currently holds academic appointments as a Dissertation Committee Chair with Walden Universitys School of Public Policy and Administration, an Associate Researcher with the University of Torontos Adult Education and Community Development Program, and a Senior Fellow with Bentley Universitys Service Learning Center. In addition, Dr. Benet serves as the President and Senior Fellow of the Center for Democratic Values and as the Executive Director of the Graduation Pledge Alliance. The Polarities of Democracy model serves as a theoretical framework for the democratization of workplaces and society in order to address the social and environmental challenges that we face on a local, national, and global level. Dr. Benet uses the Polarities of Democracy to promote participatory practices that allow citizens, workers, families, organizations, and communities to unleash their creativity and strengthen their capacity for research and social change initiatives that promote social and environmental responsibility. It is being used around the world as a guide to build healthy, sustainable, and just communities. The Center for Democratic Values is the organizational home for the Polarities of Democracy. The Center was incorporated in 1984 as a New York State nonprofit organization. The purposes of the Center for Democratic Values as adopted on May 17, 1984 are: To articulate and ...Read More