In both the United States and abroad, political leaders have undermined democratic institutions and norms as part of a nearly two-decade global trend of rising authoritarianism. From the January 6 capitol attack to the weakening of Hungarian opposition parties and attacks on Brazilian journalists, anti-democratic forces have grown in strength. Yet these forces have not gone unchallenged. Organizations, institutions, and ordinary people have organized and mobilized to protect, repair, and advance democracy. In this report, we highlight how key social groups or “Pillars of Support” –businesses, faith communities, professional associations, unions, and veterans and security forces– have played an integral role in this counter-balancing movement to support democracy.
We document an array of tactics that these pillars have used to challenge autocrats, such as unions coordinating economic shutdowns to veterans refusing to accept high honors. It is our hope that an understanding of this tactical diversity will expand the imaginations of pro-democracy actors in the US. We focus on the lessons that can be drawn across time and space, including campaigns such as the US civil rights movement, Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, Pakistan’s Lawyer’s Movement, and many others.
Drawing from over 30 case studies of pro-democracy actions, we highlight the importance of building movements that are large, diverse, and tactically innovative. By mobilizing the participation of many groups across the pillars of support and by drawing on their unique strengths –such as businesses’ economic power or veterans’ patriotic appeal– pro-democracy movements have been successful in challenging autocrats. This record of success makes clear just how powerful ordinary people from across the political and ideological spectrum can be in their roles as churchgoers, business owners, or union members.
Read the full report below.
