We Protect and Improve Our Democratic Processes and Institutions
(a “Citizens’ Playbook”)
“I realize that democracies require consistent work by citizens to protect as well as improve the processes and institutions at the core of our way of life. I realize that is an extraordinary challenge and that our democracy is not currently meeting the needs of all Americans. I commit to saying “yes” to the call to step up as an independent citizen vs. being stepped on as a dependent subject – now.”
#1 Why Action?
Our democratic institutions and processes are what hold our democratic system together over time – along with the values and principles that Americans have held for 250 years. But they must be maintained and strengthened for our democracy to remain viable. That is a particular challenge at this point in time and it requires committed sustained action by a critical mass of American citizens.
Democracy is Awkward and Often Inefficient
Making it work is deceptively difficult. Like any system over time, a democracy wears down and currently we need significant improvement in almost all areas because it is fraying and losing too much of the credibility on which it rests.
Our Democracy is Not Meeting the Needs of Too Many Americans
And far too many Americans are acting out of fear and anger and seeing destruction as the only power they have. We need to offer a constructive alternative and renew our democracy.
Our Democracy Won’t Survive “Ordinary”
As citizens we can sometimes ride on the momentum of our democracy. But – sometimes we have to step up and make a difference. This is one of those times. Our challenge is to come together to act as citizens – even if we don’t feel ready or particularly powerful.
Ordinary is:
- People needing to be taken care of
- People wanting easy answers
- People willing to give up freedom and the responsibility of citizenship for a false sense of security and order
- People believing that they really aren’t capable of being citizens and self-governing
- People believing that there are people who are better or meant to rule
- People underestimating their significance and capability – and their ability to “learn the way”
- People standing on the sidelines and failing to act on their values and beliefs – unwilling to go outside of their current comfort zones to honor and live those values and beliefs
We Must Play Offense
#2 Fundamental Goals
These are fundamental “big picture” goals to help define the overall challenge we face as citizens of a democracy. They are big, they are complex, and they require a lot of us as citizens. That is why we must go beyond “ordinary” and play offense – probably for a long time.
- We ensure free and fair elections, countering gerrymandering, voter suppression, and misinformation
- We maintain and develop effective and credible branches of government – Executive, Congress, and the Supreme Court
- We ensure a fair and just “rule of law”
- We protect a free press and a common understanding of “the truth”
- We manage a set of healthy “dynamic tensions” among political parties, between individual rights and community needs, between government and business, among differing values, and among different levels of government
- We hold elected officials, political appointees, and professionals in government agencies accountable for their performance and that of government
- We counter political and social polarization, the demonization of opponents, and the fear of “others”
- We maintain a culture of confidence and responsibility – standing on our two foundation blocks – our extraordinary founding and our “no quit” trajectory – to unapologetically champion our democracy and our tough role as citizens
The key is finding the specific strategies and tactics to achieve each of the goals. Fortunately, a lot of work has been done by different groups and organizations in each goal area, and we can build on that and/or join them in their efforts.
Most of these goals require both individual and collective action, so our task as citizens is to determine the individual actions we can take and engage with and/or support others in groups or organizations to make a difference. If we stay on the sidelines we simply become subjects and give up being citizens.
#3 Basic Categories of Possible Citizen Actions
There are a surprising number of actions that individuals can take to support our democratic institutions and processes. Most of us model many of those actions already but we can significantly increase our impact simply be being very intentional about the roles we play.
The key is to take a number of actions that are not too much of a stretch (some stretch is good) and then keep increasing the actions taken as we gain experience. To have much of an impact we will need to get out of our comfort zones to some extent, but that’s not a bad thing.
There are Lots of Ways to Look at the Actions we can Take to be Citizens and not Subjects
One perspective is noted in the section on countering the 10 strategies in the authoritarian playbook. Another perspective is to look at the categories of citizen actions noted below and choose actions from the categories.
There are also other perspectives. The key is to choose the perspective that works best for you (and that might be a combination of perspectives).
There are a lot of actions that we can take as citizens right now. So, the problem isn’t a lack of actions that we can take. The challenge is to not be intimidated by how many possible actions there are and choose which to take – now.
Basic Actions that Citizens Can Take “Individuals” vs. “Citizens”
- We Can Make Connections
We have connections to others – individuals, family, groups, organizations and networks. Those connections may be face-to-face, digital, etc. They may be connections to funding, political influence both individuals or groups. They may be connections to journalists, individuals or groups with information or data, or specific groups in a community, such as police or faith communities. Whether they are powerful or not so powerful, they are still connections and can still be used. - We Can Donate Money
Money matters because it makes things happen. We can’t fund everything, but we can choose where we want our money to go. We can do some research to ensure that our money will be likely to result in desired outcomes and follow up to ensure performance. WE can donate individually or recruit others to donate with us. - We Can Volunteer
We have professional and personal capabilities. Volunteering where our capabilities match need can be a major contribution. There is an extraordinary range of capabilities that can make a difference – from fundraising and senior administrative or clerical support, to providing childcare, transportation, publicity, getting out the vote, and serving in voluntary governmental roles. There is a broad range of need and a broad range of capabilities. Finding the fit is the key and that may take some effort.
Note. When we volunteer we make sure to leave “I’m just a volunteer” at the door. We bring the same commitment and professionalism that we would for a highly paid position. And, if the organization doesn’t take volunteers seriously, then we challenge them or move on.
- We Can Be a Role Model
Our actions speak and people are watching and listening. Consciously modeling the qualities of an effective citizen can be surprisingly powerful. Our actions say, “this is what I value and what I believe in and what I will champion.” It also says, “we are significant as citizens, and I invite you to join me.” By role modeling we are also demonstrating to others that the behavior we choose to model is possible for others - We can encourage others to understand and model the qualities of our founders – the qualities underlying American Greatness – promoting courage over fear, hope over anger, solidarity over polarization, and perseverance and resilience in the face of daunting challenges.
- We Can Set Policy
This obviously applies to people in roles that can set policy, but policy can be set in many settings – from a home and neighborhood to organizations, companies, and communities. Policy can be set with others. And we can influence policy even if we don’t have full authority to set it.
We Can Be Part of the Advocacy Process
This is surprisingly important. Advocacy is often key in making the desired systemic changes, yet most of us don’t see ourselves as “advocates.” We can all be advocates in small settings and we can be part of the advocacy process in big complex settings.
An effective advocacy process requires a surprising number of people with complementary skills and experience. We don’t need to be a high profile “advocate” in those settings. We can make a difference by playing a role(s) that fits our capabilities and experience and the needs of the advocacy process.
We Can Protest Peacefully (be present)
The authoritarian forces are executing the authoritarian playbook to undermine our democratic processes and institutions – as well as sabotage efforts to take on the big tough issues we face in our world. One of the most effective ways to counter those efforts is to literally call them out and protest. That can happen in meetings, in print, digitally, and in the street. Many/most of us are not comfortable protesting, so this is an area that usually requires a committed effort to get outside our comfort zones (and expand them).
Examples of Basic Systemic Actions
Play an Intentional Specific Role(s) in the Advocacy Process
- Support organizations that are advocating for things you value
- Identify the skills you have that can play a part in the advocacy process and connect with organizations that can use those skills (even in small ways)
Support the Individuals, Groups, and Organizations that are Taking on the Big Complex Issues
- Support them financially
- Support them with membership
- Volunteer
- Connect them to your network
This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.
Actions Citizens Can Take Specifically to Counter the Authoritarian Playbook
This topic is focused on specifically countering the strategies in the basic authoritarian playbook – because of its central nature to the question, “citizen or subject?” The default position throughout human history has been for people to be subjects to an authoritarian master. To be citizens that maintain a healthy democracy requires challenging the forces that support authoritarians.
There are times when that challenge needs to be very direct, conscious, and powerful – with no wavering and lots of perseverance and resilience. This is one of those times.
Authoritarians and dictators use a variety of deliberate strategies—psychological, political, social, and military—to gain power, dismantle democratic institutions, and maintain control. These tactics often follow a recognizable pattern, even across different cultures and time periods.
Here are key strategies Authoritarians use and examples of ways that we can counter them. The key is to see these strategies early and act immediately to counter them. Waiting until power is fully consolidated is too late.
Note:
- Many of the actions may seem new or “not like me” and require leaving one’s comfort zone and “finding the way.”
- Some actions are common and frequently appropriate in countering authoritarians, like peaceful protest, calling out the actions of authoritarians, supporting those who are fighting the authoritarian actions, etc.
- Some actions are more specific to a particular authoritarian strategy.
Authoritarian Strategy #1: Exploit people’s fear and insecurity
– splitting people, reinforcing ‘victimhood” and grievance, and feeding on people’s “smaller selves.” They create or exaggerate threats, scapegoat minorities or marginalized groups, and promise order and security in exchange for freedom.
We Can:
- Challenge the lies and reinforce the truth
- Focus on the strength of our two foundation blocks – our extraordinary founding and our 250-year trajectory of perseverance
- Directly counter polarization, anxiety, fear, the demonization of “others”
Authoritarian Strategy #2 Undermine truth and independent media
– spreading misinformation and lies to confuse and freeze people, control the narrative, attacking journalists, and establishing state control over the media
We Can:
- Support independent responsible media financially and politically
- Educate ourselves
- Challenge the misinformation and lies with “the truth”
Authoritarian Strategy #3 Destroy or co-opt democratic institutions and processes
– weakening checks and balances, undermining legislatures and the courts, neutralizing watchdog institutions, gerrymandering election districts, undermining the election processes, etc.
We Can:
- Counter voter suppression in its many forms
- Actively protest attacks on democratic institutions and processes
- Participate in the political processes locally and nationally
Authoritarian Strategy #4 Relate to people as “victims” and position themselves as “saviors”
– seeing people as subjects and themselves as the natural rulers, diminishing people to drain their power, dramatically overstating or simply fabricating their own capabilities, and labeling anyone resisting as traitors, enemies, or evil and unworthy.
We Can:
- Call out what the authoritarian is doing and the need for a “savior”
- Challenge their diminishing of people and reinforce the capability and power that people have
- Challenge the self-aggrandizement and “puffery” of the authoritarian
- Highlight the founding of America and the success of the country without an authoritarian leader
- Challenge the silencing of dissent and legitimize the role of dissent and holding leaders accountable
Authoritarian Strategy #5 Crush or co-opt opposition
outlawing or suppressing opposition parties and groups, using rewards and threats to neutralize or recruit key individuals and organizations, co-opting legal institutions and processes to cripple or destroy opposition.
We Can:
- Join and support threatened groups and organizations or organizations taking this issue on
- Call out what is being done and peacefully protest to prevent it from being done unopposed or in the shadows
Authoritarian Strategy #6 Control economic access and patronage
controlling or subsidizing companies or industries to reward loyalty, creating dependence of people through access to jobs, capital, and opportunities – and using corruption as a way to control and reward “insiders.”
We Can:
- Call it out and peacefully protest
- Support groups and organizations fighting it
- Support companies that refuse to be co-opted and don’t patronize or boycott that do cave in
Authoritarian Strategy #7 Normalize violence and co-opt the police and the military
using the police and military to intimidate or suppress opposing voices, establishing “secret police” systems of surveillance to monitor and control citizens, and normalizing violence to keep people from speaking or acting.
We Can:
- Call it out and peacefully protest
- Support the individuals, groups, and organizations that confront it
Authoritarian Strategy #8 Undermine civil liberties to control “subjects”
limiting freedom of speech and assembly, suppressing the vote, limiting religious freedom, censuring the media, and criminalizing dissent.
We Can:
- Call it out and peacefully protest
- Support the individuals, groups, and organizations that confront it
The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.