The Pillars Project

Research highlights that successful social movements are characterized by broad and diverse coalitions united around a common vision or goal. Understanding the system that needs to be addressed is a core tenet of any effective organizing strategy. One valuable approach for comprehending this complexity is the “Pillars of Support” framework.

Currently, Horizons is engaged in a series of research endeavors aimed at investigating and gaining a deeper comprehension of the pillars that uphold authoritarianism in the United States. These projects also seek to derive insights from historical instances within the US and worldwide, with the objective of understanding how to alter the motivations of crucial pillars in order to disrupt authoritarianism and foster pro-democracy actions. Through extensive discussions with partners, Horizons has identified four primary pillars of focus: business, faith communities, civic/professional groups (including organized labor), and veterans’ groups.