By Ben Cable (Originally posted on Substack)
I enrolled at Harvard this week and have started my first online course on Democracy for free. Yes, it’s free. I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to enroll below. I can now say I am going to Harvard.
I am pleased to announce my recent enrollment at Harvard, where I have commenced studies in Democracy. This online course, offered at no cost, equips individuals with crucial insights into the workings of democracy. The knowledge gained not only enhances political understanding but also empowers individuals to uphold democratic principles rigorously. Through active civic engagement, we collectively contribute to the advancement of our communities and nation. By Ben Cable (Originally posted on Substack)
Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, John Harvard, Harvard College is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States; today, the private Ivy League research university boasts a $53.2 billion endowment, a vibrant campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a legacy of academic excellence that spans nearly four centuries.
Harvard’s unparalleled influence is reflected in its alumni network: U.S. presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama; innovators such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg; and cultural icons like Natalie Portman—each shaping American society and global discourse in profound ways.
The Trump administration, under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, moved to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students for the 2025–2026 academic year (Reuters). But foreign students are not merely visitors; they are vital engines of innovation: 70 percent of U.S. electrical engineering graduate students and 63 percent of computer science graduate students are foreign-born, and they account for over 40 percent of America’s PhD-level STEM workforce (Vox).
And the assault on Harvard didn’t stop at visas: in April 2025, after the university refused demands to share extensive records about its international students, the Department of Education paused over $2 billion in federal research grants, and on May 27 President Trump ordered agencies to cancel roughly $100 million in contracts with the university—moves designed to choke off funding and punish academic independence (The Guardian). Harvard responded by filing suit, and on May 23rd, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking the administration’s effort to bar foreign enrollments—a powerful reminder that the rule of law remains on Harvard’s side.
In the face of these politically motivated attacks, we can choose fear or friendship with the world’s best thinkers: I’m with Harvard—because welcoming international scholars has always been America’s strength, and resisting efforts to silo our universities is essential to preserving our innovative edge and democratic ideals.
Now, here is how to enroll today for Harvard’s free courses on Democracy:
To dive into Harvard’s world-class democracy offerings at no cost, visit edX.org, click “Register” to create a free account, then navigate to the Harvard University “school” page.
Once signed in, search “Democracy” or browse the Government & Public Policy category, select “Audit this course” on any HarvardX listing. You’ll unlock all lectures and materials for free—no payment required.
Top picks include We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy (7-week, self-paced); American Government: Constitutional Foundations, part of the U.S. Government XSeries; U.S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy; and Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media.
All these courses were designed to give you a comprehensive grounding in how democracies are built, maintained, and challenged.
See you in class – Ben
Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or HERE.
