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
August 20, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Discussing the Federal Takeover of Washington, DC
Given recent events in Washington, DC, this Wednesday’s briefing will focus on research-backed strategies for communicating about the National Guard deployment in the District and other threats to democracy playing out across the country.
September 17, 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...
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.