Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action

our work

We bring individuals and organizations together to stand up for democratic principles.

Why Is This Important

Authoritarianism is deeply unpopular in the United States, but in spite of that, an insurgent authoritarian movement has managed to break through. 

In order to preserve and improve our democracy, we need to build collective action united around a shared belief in democratic governance, even if we disagree on a wide range of policy issues. Collective action is the best mechanism to resist authoritarian encroachment across every area of our lives. 

Through collective action, we can resist autocratic tactics designed to force capitulation across a diverse array of sectors. By working together — with a shared understanding of the risks and a refusal to bow to intimidation — we can overcome the threat of autocracy and build a better democracy on the other side. 

The kinds of outcomes we seek

  • Widespread collective action that reminds all of us, individuals and organizations alike, that none of us face autocratic intimidation alone and that autocrats are not invincible.
  • A growing coalition of Americans from a variety of civic and economic sectors who might disagree on policy but are united to defend our democracy.
  • An expansive, organized movement that provides individuals and organizations with onramps to take action to support democracy. 

What Impact Have We Had

We supported a bipartisan coalition of former FCC chairs and commissioners in filing a petition calling on the FCC to rescind a rule that has increasingly been weaponized to chill press freedom.

We co-created the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections to forge partnerships between election officials and law enforcement. CSSE has hosted 150 trainings and tabletop exercises in 35 states.

A sign for a grand jury in Santa Monica.

A guide to understanding the federal grand jury

Grand jurors are part of a tradition the Founders specifically wrote into the Bill of Rights to protect all of us from government abuses.

April 3, 2026

  • Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
  • Analysis
The Back of the White House

What is anticipatory obedience? 

Anticipatory obedience is when a person or institution obeys an autocrat in advance — before any direct threat has been issued.

March 23, 2026

  • Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
  • Analysis
Minneapolis protesters in the street in 2025.

Collective action, explained

Collective action is a strategy through which a group of individuals or institutions act together to achieve a common goal in a way none of them could have done alone.

March 23, 2026

  • Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
  • Analysis
A protester holding up a sign that says "protect our democracy" in New York City,

What democracy means

Democracy is a system of government where the people freely select their leaders and those leaders are constrained while in office.

March 23, 2026

  • Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
  • Protecting Elections
  • Shaping the Democracy of Tomorrow
  • Stopping the Consolidation of Power
  • Analysis