Investing in Democracy > Politics

More information on Salons and the December convening is quickly forthcoming. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to Joy Turner, Managing Director of Member Engagement at Joy@PACEfunders.org.

It does not mean that politics don’t matter, are inherently wrong or bad, or don’t have a place in democracy. It does mean that for too many people, the way we assess whether democracy is working (or not) is primarily through the prism of our political or ideological biases, and not necessarily the fullness of what democracy represents as a system, process, and culture. 

When we say “democracy is larger than politics,” we also mean “politics is larger than partisanship.” 

• Democracy is a process and system of self-governance that is about fairness, equality, responsiveness, and inclusion. This includes representative government, but also the norms and ways people show up for (and within) a diverse and tolerant society where everyone belongs.
  
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• Politics is the process of decision-making– the mechanics surrounding what decisions get made, why, how, where, and by whom. Politics revolve around the navigation of dynamics such as of power, authority, compromise, and diplomacy, which are all influenced by cultural and social forces, values, and incentive structures (both formal and informal).
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• Partisanship is the alignment and construction of politics into an ideological or social agenda, party, or platform to which adherence and allegiance are often expected as a condition of membership.

Stated differently, politics may be how we work together, but democracy is how we live together. Partisanship may influence what “together” even means. 

PACE’s conception of democracy includes 5 component parts– fair processes, responsive policy, information and communication, social cohesion, and empowered citizens. Each of these have political dynamics and elements to how they are advanced or achieved, but they are not inherently political ideas or values in and of themselves, and each needs to transcend partisanship to be realized.

2024 is a year that everyone and everything will be pushing people into oversimplified political binaries, often with a stated goal of “saving democracy.” There are certainly aspects of democracy under threat that need to be saved, but forced binaries risk perpetuating zero-sum mentalities, resentment, othering, and even violence, and those things are also threats to democracy. Something as sacred and shared as our system of governance is not “owned” by a group of people for their own benefit, and should not advance the power of the few. We believe it is important to hold a frame of democracy that advances a broad vision for ensuring fairness, representation, and participation of all people in our society. This is especially important as America becomes more racially diverse and religiously pluralistic, which requires more expansive ways of supporting inclusion, belonging, and civic engagement. 

When politics become larger than democracy, we risk losing the American experiment altogether– this is especially true given the risks of political violence we are currently experiencing. Too many people think about democracy as the same as voting, and therein, perceptions of whether democracy is working or not are based on election results. Voting is important, but too often, it is considered both the start and end of democratic participation. As America becomes more polarized, and political affiliation becomes even more foregrounded as part of Americans’ identities, the likelihood that people will consciously experience a democracy outside of political contexts will likely decrease. And belief in and support for democracy as a legitimate form of government will continue to diminish alongside it. If we want to continue living in a (small-l, small-d) liberal democratic society, we simply can’t afford not to change the experience people have with democracy– both as an idea and as a practice.

The challenges to American democracy are real, especially in 2024. Several of these challenges are about ensuring free and fair elections of public servants that will keep us in a system of representative government, with leaders chosen by the people and laws that protect minority rights and First Amendment freedoms. Many of those challenges are political because they revolve around questions of power, inclusion, compromise, and diplomacy. Many of them are partisan because they revolve around organized parties or leadership structures, which can concentrate tendencies for authoritarianism and illiberalism. We acknowledge these realities. 

We also acknowledge the challenges democracy is facing right now are not ones that arose within the last few years, or even the last few decades. We believe part of why these challenges have reached such a critical tipping point is exactly because many have equated democracy with politics for too long. We believe this is the time to lean into imagination– to evolve our thinking about what is possible and to embrace a vision of democracy that makes it larger than politics for more people. 

Others will make different choices about where and how to focus in 2024, which we respect, appreciate, and support. There is not one right way for pro-democracy organizations to be thinking or operating right now– supporting democracy requires many different approaches in many different contexts within many different communities. The “democracy > politics” focus feels true to PACE’s values, mission, and history. This is where we believe we can use our leadership to make the greatest contribution to our field in this moment.

• Want to Fund a Healthy Democracy? Stop Focusing on Partisan Politics

An op-ed by Kristen Cambell of PACE in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, exploring the tendency to conflate democracy with the realization of political preferences. Published October 2023.

• Democracy Hypocrisy: Examining America’s Fragile Democratic Convictions

A report from the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group that shows a majority of Americans say they believe democracy is important, but their support for it wavers when its core principles may conflict with their political or partisan preferences. Released January 2024.

• Despite what political campaigns say, one election won’t determine the fate of US democracy

An op-ed by Ali Noorani of the Hewlett Foundation for CalMatters, outlining why political narratives suggesting the 2024 election will determine the future of American democracy are wrong. Published December 2023. 

• How readers are working to renovate our democracy

An opinion column by Danielle Allen in the Washington Post, describing how her readers described what it means to them to be doing democracy work. Published October 2023.  

• Only About 3.5 Percent of Americans Care About Democracy

An article by Grame Wood in the Atlantic about a study that shows voters say they care about democracy, but are unlikely to pull support from their preferred candidate if they behave undemocratically. Published December 2020.