LIVING DEMOCRACY
To save the democracy we thought we had, we must take democracy to where it’s never been—toward a “living democracy” where we each have a voice in fostering solutions to the challenges of our time, from life-stunting inequality to climate change.
The Progressive Magazine
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world into uncharted territory, with challenges that we have never seen before, but also fresh opportunities.
June 20, 2020
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LIVING DEMOCRACY BLOGS
WHAT IS LIVING DEMOCRACY?
The Small Planet Institute’s vision is grounded in eyes-wide-open hope, the opposite of wishful thinking. We strive to further three social conditions: wide dispersion of power, transparency in public affairs, and a culture of mutual accountability--what we call Living Democracy--an evolving way of life, not only a form of government. These conditions have been proven over humanity’s long evolution to bring forth the best in our species and to keep the worst in check.
Living Democracy is not a finished state. It is a journey with clear direction, one based in evidence from diverse fields of inquiry as well our own experience and observations of history. Together, they confirm that humans come “soft-wired” for cooperation, empathy, and fairness needed to make possible a democratic way of life; while our species also suffers a profound anti-democratic weakness, our tendency to push blame on those we perceive as different.
Thus, at the Small Planet Institute we ask - what are the social conditions enabling the positive aspects of our nature to flourish while keeping the negative in check? We define three: the wide dispersion of power, transparency in public affairs, and a culture of mutual accountability rather than blaming. In large measure they bring forth our better selves because they enable us to meet three essential human needs: for personal power (to know “we count”), meaning, and connection with others.
When these needs are met across political, economic and social dimensions of life, we experience dignity, the very lifeblood of Living Democracy.
Living Democracy is thus the journey of fulfilling the social conditions essential to meeting our deepest needs.
FRANCES MOORE LAPPÉ'S
"THOUGHT SPARKS" VIDEO SERIES
Frances shares her often-surprising takes on themes of hope, democracy, and courage in her Thought Sparks Video Series. She opens her heart about what fortifies her in this scary time. And don't miss reading her companion blogs too!
JOIN THE HOPE MOVEMENT
"It's not the magnitude of a challenge that crushes the human spirit. It's feeling useless that does us in."
— from "Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want" by Frances Moore Lappé and Adam Eichen
“This book, perhaps better than any other, shows Americans that the democracy they want is possible.”
—Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Law School professor and author of Republic, Lost, on Frances Moore Lappé & Adam Eichen's Daring Democracy
DARING DEMOCRACY AUTHORS
ADAM EICHEN
Small Planet Institute Democracy Fellow
FRANCES MOORE LAPPÉ
Small Planet Institute Co-Founder
Seasoned writer and activist Frances met recent college graduate Adam at a democracy conference in Mexico City in 2015. This culminated in the cross-generational pair teaming up to write Daring Democracy.
SPREADING THE DEMOCRACY MESSAGE
Frances enjoys speaking to students, faith groups, and more about the power of community, democracy, organizing, and hope. Invite Frances to speak at your organization!
PAST APPEARANCES INCLUDE...
Stanford University
Harvard University
UMass Amherst
Vassar College
New York University
University of Waterloo
Smith College
University of Hawaii
UC Santa Cruz
Brooklyn College
Oregon State University
Mt. Holyoke College
Ohio University
Connecticut College
Eckerd College
Miami Dade College
Coming soon will be an online hub created by Small Planet Institute and Democracy Initiative!
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE
DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT?
EVERY MOVEMENT NEEDS A SIGN...
Every movement needs a hand sign.
Here’s our idea for the Democracy Movement:
it’s the letter “d” in American sign language, and with a raised arm it seems to shout
“I count” and “1 person, 1 vote!”