Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy
About the series
We need to build public resistance to the rise of authoritarianism in the United States. To do that, we must first understand how people are already thinking about things like democracy, government, authoritarianism, and the rule of law. Then, we can navigate these common assumptions and build public demand for a better, stronger democracy. This is not just an issue for specialists or experts, but for all of us.
The FrameWorks Institute’s Culture Change Project will be hosting monthly briefings with insights from our latest research into how Americans are thinking about democracy, our political system, and the Constitution—and what that means for those of us working to counter authoritarian threats and strengthen our democracy.
Upcoming Briefings
September 17, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time
The U.S. Public’s Desire for Radical Change to our Political System
We'll discuss the sources of discontent, the ways people envision—or struggle to envision—change, and how to navigate these demands without opening space for authoritarianism.
October 22, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Topic TBA
Briefing topics are determined based on real-time research and the evolving national context. Stay tuned for details...
November 19, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Topic TBA
Briefing topics are determined based on real-time research and the evolving national context. Stay tuned for details...
Resources from Prior Briefings
Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy: April 2025 Briefing Key Takeaways
On April 11, 2025, we shared findings from focus groups conducted in February 2025.
Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy: May 2025 Briefing Key Takeaways
On May 22, 2025, we shared findings from research on people’s assumptions about the Constitution, and how these assumptions shape how the public is making sense of our unfolding “constitutional crisis.”
Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy: June 2025 Briefing Key Takeaways
On June 18, 2025, we shared findings from research on people’s understandings of authoritarianism, mindsets that drive and create openings for authoritarianism, and how to use this knowledge to counter authoritarian thinking.
Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy: July 2025 Briefing Key Takeaways
On July 16, 2025, we shared findings from research on how the U.S. public thinks about the rule of law, immigration, and due process. These findings drew on focus groups conducted in June 2025, tracking survey data from April 2024-June 2025, and deep-dive mindset interviews conducted in 2023. Key findings, implications, and framing strategies are presented below.
Navigating Public Thinking about Democracy: August 2025 Briefing Key Takeaways
The deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in US cities and the federal seizure of local law enforcement power represents a threat to democratic self-government in our country. The recommendations in this guide are grounded in research from FrameWorks’ Culture Change Project. It draws on our foundational research into how people think about democracy, authoritarianism, and the U.S. political system, as well as ongoing research into how people are making sense of the moment and how we can communicate about democracy in the shifting landscape.