Dewey Square Group’s Post

Public participation is the foundation of democracy. It allows citizens to voice their concerns, contribute to decision-making processes, and hold their leaders accountable. https://lnkd.in/dB9mMk_2

Anybody in my network an expert in running tabletop, scenario planning exercises for complex organizations or systems? Quick reason why: Ezra Klein wrote about his desire for an open convention to pick the next Democratic nominee. He also interviewed an expert on conventions to talk about how they'd go. But my sense is there's a lot of context that matters here that isn't included in his thinking, which includes some things he seems easily persuaded don't matter much (for example, will voters feel that open conventions - which we haven't really had since the '68 convention and the move to commit delegates using primaries which was essentially complete by 1970 - are small-d democratic?), and also some things he hasn't yet addressed at all like: * How does the fact of a noncompetitive primary for the opposing party affect how voters interact with/feel about an open convention? How would an opposing party not engaging in such an exercise use this difference to its advantage? * If delegate nominating conventions at state and county levels become more important, what happens if more grassroots organizations run for delegates, softening the influence and power of people with close party ties? * What does it look like if social media "coverage" of the convention looks more like, say, the Amber Heard v Johnny Depp trial? By that I mean, what if bad faith takes, rumor-mongering, selective edits and meme-ification of candid moments swamp sober coverage and influence people's level of trust in the system? * What role would polls have in either influencing delegates to a convention or in trying to predict the convention outcome? * What would it look like for people to engage with the convention in bad faith? Could be delegates, party officials, protestors, media, others? Other questions are more obvious, like the questions of timing (what if this were announced before Super Tuesday? After? June?); candidate quality and quantity (what if it's only 2 contestants? what if it's 10? what if celebrities, billionaires and conspiracy theorists make a run at it?); and what are the possible media narratives ("Democrats in disarray"? something-something "historic"?) I'd love to talk to someone who knows something about running these kinds of scenarios and what a sober approach to it would look like. Again - not looking for anyone to make a prediction, but to talk to me about the real work of strategy and scenario planning here. Thanks!!

recognizing the tension brewing for tonight's debate. What matters most to first-time voters during tonight's presidential debate? Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gv2_iRXZ #advertisingandmarketing #streamingmedia #contentmarketing #diversity #digitalmarketing

🤔Are you between 18 and 30 years of age? Able to communicate and work in English? 👉Actively involved in youth organisations or other civil society organisations working with young people on issues of democracy and diversity? Motivated to share their experiences on democracy and diversity and to contribute to 4 developing new ideas on democracy and diversity? 🔗 Then apply to participate at the World Forum for Democracy / Forum mondial de la Démocratie under the theme"DEMOCRACY and DIVERSITY: CAN WE TRANSCEND THE DIVIDES?" Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy

The League is going into a strategic planning session this week to chart a new path forward with new leadership. Much thanks to K & L Gates who continue to provide true business advise on board development and governance. This is a pivotal time and a defining moment for those of us in the Voting Rights spaces. Servant leadership at this trying times is critical, and requires we sieze this moment to unite our collective aspirations for a future we imagined together. We are at our best when we work collaboratively and respectfully across the board, to uplift one another. Now is not the time to point fingers or engage in the blame games that splitter our spirit. These times require we roll our sleeves, and join hands regardless of our politics to build an inclusive society. it can be done, if we lay aside our petty grievances that serve only our partisan and parochial needs. Join the League of Minority Voters National On June 25th to celebrate the best of our bipartisan spirit. Event starts at 5pm. email [email protected] for invite. With a strong and United mission there's nothing beyond our grasp. Come be a part of it.

In 1944-45, Robert Menzies convened three conventions to unite 14 existing political parties and 4 non-party associations in the Liberal Party of Australia. The first was a three-day conference in #Canberra on 13-16th October 1944. It was held in a community hall, with hard wooden seats, within walking distance of the old Parliament House, with 77 delegates. The second, which focussed on organisational details, took place in #Albury, NSW. The third event was a public launch at the #Sydney Town Hall on 31st August 1945. The main #nonLabor party in Australia till this time was the United Australia Party. It's massive defeat in the 1943 federal election exposed its many structural problems — it had minimal party organisation and outside NSW and VIC had no extra-parliamentary administration. It relied on external funding, and business interests dominated its policy-making. Menzies wanted a national self-financing organisation that was based on its membership. #Three things about this process are interesting, when viewed from the vantage point of today. #First, political parties #stagnate. They can wither internally, even when they remain viable electoral instruments. The UAP under Joseph Lyons was in government through the 1930s, but Menzies judged that the UAP was a #dead organisation. What would he make of today's Lib-Lab parties, which can still win elections but are hollowed-out shells, surely as #lifeless internally as the UAP in 1944? #Second, political parties do not just #fall from the sky. They have to be consciously created. People have to be brought together and fashioned into a working team. Today's Lib-Lab parties are dogs wagged by their tails - their #staffers, not the grassroots members, run the show. In Menzies' time, political parties were not run by staffers - they were still #voluntary #associations which people from diverse walks of life joined out of civic duty. And #third, political parties in Menzies' time were socially and culturally #mainstream, despite their divergent economic outlooks. They reflected their society's ethos and culture. They were not 'Woke'. There was no 'political correctness' that diverged from ordinary life. Menzies was not a #neoliberal, he wasn't particularly interested in economics - his primary interest was in what we would now call #civilsociety - the health of families, communities, small businesses and voluntary associations. The purpose of his new Liberal Party was to represent the #forgotten people in civil society, not to #manage things. This outlook is now quite alien to today's Lib-Labor elites. Because no political party in Australia today will uphold the #basic foundations of our common well-being, we must create one that will. It is long overdue, and work is well underway - a party of 'sensible conservatism' based in civil society, belonging to grassroots Australians not career politicians. Step up. Join #DemocracyFirst today. https://lnkd.in/gB7mz-3d

In this special edition of Public Policy Talks, Markee Tate, President of Advancing Black Businesses, hosts a dynamic live session from Top Golf Atlanta. This episode delves into the dual celebration of Juneteenth and the nuances of local politics, highlighting how historical events and current political dynamics intertwine to shape our community. In this engaging discussion, Markee: • Reflects on the historical significance of Juneteenth and its implications on current racial and economic disparities. • Provides an overview of recent local elections, emphasizing the impact of community involvement in political processes. • Discuss upcoming events, including the second annual golf tournament at Top Golf Atlanta, and encourage community participation. • Offers insights into the importance of public policy advocacy and the role of business leaders in fostering economic development through active political engagement. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the deeper connections between our past and present struggles for justice and equality and how they relate to the economic empowerment of the Black community. Key Moments: Reflection on Juneteenth and its ongoing relevance. • Discussion on the outcomes of recent local elections and what they signify for business and community development. • Highlights of the upcoming golf tournament at Top Golf Atlanta and its significance as a networking and fundraising event. • Call to action for greater community involvement in public policy and local governance. Subscribe to our channel for more Public Policy Talks and stay informed about how you can contribute to shaping a more equitable future. https://lnkd.in/eeB_z-Nb