CHARLOTTESVILLE Today's political atmosphere, characterized by some as "virulent partisanship," is not new. Since its founding, the United States has undergone extraordinary change, experienced periods of upheaval, and known times of grave distrust toward politics and government institutions. But struggle though we may, as a country we have remained strong, hopeful, and firm in our beliefs about what we do -- and should -- stand for.

It is because of our willingness to explore the things that unite us as well as divide us, to exchange opinions, to be open to ideas we might not share -- and to do so freely, vigorously, and civilly. The idea that people can share opposing ideas and contribute meaningfully to the public discourse, rather than add to the partisan cacophony, is central to the National Discussion and Debate Series launched last fall by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

In five debates during the 200708 academic year, the Miller Center is examining issues important to voters, with passionate advocates arguing both sides. We began by examining whether keeping troops in Iraq is vital for America's national interests in the Middle East. We continued with a conversation about the balance between national security concerns and individuals' privacy rights.

March brought a fascinating discussion at Richmond's Jefferson Hotel about what role -- if any -- religion should play in politics and government. April's event in Boston will take on whether health care is a right, and whether government is obligated to provide it for all Americans. And in May in New York, we will debate whether it is incumbent upon the U.S. to provide a path to citizenship for this country's 12 million illegal immigrants.

MACNEIL/LEHRER Productions is our production partner in this endeavor, and PBS stations in Virginia (including Richmond's WCVE and WCVW) and around the country have carried these discussions. To date, the first three events have broadcast more than 850 times in more than 55 percent of the country's television markets. Virginia's own WVTF/Radio IQ has broadcast them as well, and we webcast the events live and archive the video and transcripts along with research, white papers, and other materials on our Web site, www.millercenter.org.

This series has confirmed for us that it is possible to engage people in spirited debate in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes, the public dialogue. Such a goal is key to the Miller Center's mission. Founded in 1975 in the wake of the tumult of Vietnam and Watergate, it was envisioned as a place that could help restore trust and understanding of government and the challenges of our country.

As a non-partisan public policy institution at the University of Virginia, the Miller Center has as its purpose to gather together engaged citizens, scholars, students, the press, and government officials to research, reflect, and report on issues of national importance to governing our country, with a special emphasis on the central role and history of the American presidency.

Our academic, public, and policy programs bring the lessons of politics, government, and history into present-day focus. The Governing America in a Global Era (GAGE) program studies the role of politics and history in both domestic politics and foreign policy, and sponsors a colloquia series, a national fellowship program, and conferences that recently featured topics including foreign policy after President Bush, the effectiveness of financial sanctions, and the influence of polling on democracy.

THE PRESIDENTIAL Recordings Program transcribes, interprets, and makes public a unique historical record: more than 5,000 hours of once-secret White House tapes of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. The Oral History Program interviews leading policy and decision-makers including Presidents Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton, as well as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The Forum program, seen on PBS around Virginia, brings more than 60 experts in national security, public affairs, politics, and journalism to Charlottesville each year. And our national commissions convene to examine and develop recommendations for handling issues critical to the country's governance.

Our National War Powers Commission, led by former Secretaries of State James Baker and Warren Christopher, will release a report on allocating the nation's war powers later this year. American President, a section of our Web site devoted to each administration, rounds out our offerings online, including video, audio, documents, papers, reference works, and live webcasts.

We believe that such study and collaboration are not only a fascinating undertaking; they strengthen the workings of government and democracy -- and that is good for the country.
Gerald L. Baliles, the director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs, was the governor of Virginia, 1986-1990.