Government and Democracy

Building support for a stronger, more inclusive political system

Democracy is at a crossroads. The strength of our democratic system hinges on how people think about and make sense of democracy itself. We need effective ways to talk about the promise of democracy and explain the kind of changes that would create a more responsive and effective government.

What the Research Tells Us

Recognize the pitfalls of person-centric thinking.

Americans tend to view government as a collection of individual leaders, rather than interconnected systems and institutions. This can lead to disillusionment with politics when a change in leaders fails to deliver changes in systems.

Expand visions of what “democracy” means.

Americans tend to conflate democracy with voting. Emphasize the importance of various forms of democratic participation—like showing up to mass demonstrations, calling your representatives, and attending community meetings—along with voting.

Appeal to the ideal of effective representation.

“Good,” “accurate,” “effective” representation is a highly resonant concept that communicators can and should leverage—but it is important to explain the structural roots of problems with representation to help people see the need for change beyond voting out current elected officials.