In 2005, OCH created an ambitious public radio series called On Principle: Thoughts on American Democracy. This innovative series invited Oregonians to think about and discuss five core principles of American democracy: individual freedom, equality, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and justice. The program explored whether these founding principles continue to bind us together as a nation in the twenty-first century.

On Principle developed as OCH staff members read and discussed documents from American political, social, and cultural history. Many of the readings were well-known, but less familiar works such as Randolph Bourne's brilliant 1916 Atlantic Monthly essay, "Trans-national America," were also influential. OCH chose an interview format to stimulate conversation and reflection, and hired independent public radio producer David Welch to help craft the program.

OCH and Welch spoke with a broad spectrum of Oregonians—a small business owner in McMinnville, a community activist in Warrenton, a cattle rancher in Adel, a Viet Nam veteran in North Portland—posing questions that address the heart of the American experience. How can we square the Declaration of Independence's insistence that all men are created equal with the Constitution's failure to enfranchise women and people of color? What is the value of civic engagement in an era when sound bites trump nuance in public discourse? How do these principles affect our own lives, and do they play out differently in the lives of our neighbors?

The people featured in each segment of the program revealed a profound love and appreciation for our country that crossed demographic lines, political boundaries, and the great expanse of our state. At the same time, many of them expressed genuine concern about our future. Their voices provide insight into what it means to be an American today, encouraging listeners to think about their own role as citizens and the values that define our country.

The nine-part series aired statewide in June 2005 on Oregon Public Broadcasting and Jefferson Public Radio, and both networks produced local follow-up programs. On Principle was funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities' We the People initiative, a nationwide grant program designed to strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. The program was also supported by generous grants from the Collins Foundation, McCormack Publications, Tin House magazine, and Win McCormack.