Ideas change everything

Why ordinary people need to understand power

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Eric Liu |

TEDCity2.0

• September 2013

Far too many Americans are illiterate in power — what it is, how it operates and why some people have it. As a result, those few who do understand power wield disproportionate influence over everyone else. "We need to make civics sexy again," says civics educator Eric Liu. "As sexy as it was during the American Revolution or the Civil Rights Movement."

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Far too many Americans are illiterate in power — what it is, how it operates and why some people have it. As a result, those few who do understand power wield disproportionate influence over everyone else. "We need to make civics sexy again," says civics educator Eric Liu. "As sexy as it was during the American Revolution or the Civil Rights Movement."

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

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About the speaker

Civic evangelist, author

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As CEO of Citizen University, Eric Liu is working to spark a civic revival in the US and beyond.

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How you too can influence change

Eric Liu reveals his five basic skills of power and shows how anyone can use them to make a difference.

The city of the future

What's next for our urban spaces? Explore TEDCity2.0, a site born from the 2012 TED Prize wish that paints a complex picture of the future city — a safer, healthier, more playful and more beautiful place for all.

Watch: Where does power come from in civic life?

See an animated video to learn six ways people influence others, and find out how you can use them to become a better citizen yourself.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.