(Illustration by Diana Ejaita)

For over 50 years, we have lived in a “democracy” defined by a stagnant Constitution, partisan gridlock, and rule by an appointed Supreme Court minority. Progress is stalled. At best, we rely on executive orders to deliver equal protection, due process, and the rights and privileges of citizenship (while, at worst, they take it away). The legal community and legacy civil rights organizations are forced to engage in a constant game of whack-a-mole, chasing democracy from one state court to the next.

We must do more than defend. If our democracy is to survive this death by a thousand cuts, we must assume a new role as founders of a true multiracial democracy that delivers for all. 

In Stanford Social Innovation Review, PolicyLink’s Managing Director for Governing for All Judith Dangerfield describes three structures of governing that will be foundational to this transformation, so that serving all becomes the norm.

   

Love is the key to democracy

As our series continues, PolicyLink’s President and CEO Michael McAfee reflected on the role of a radical love of all people in building a democracy where “We, the People” finally means all people:

“I’ve realized that no research or framing paper or legislative fight will get us where we need to go. If this nation is to realize the promise of the nation by realizing the promise in us all, then a revolution of our souls must happen at the individual, institutional, and community levels. Only by making ourselves, our practices, and our institutions love in this particular way can we remake and redesign unjust systems.”

   

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