Dēmos: A Network for Ideas & Action www.demos.org

Public Works: the Dēmos Center for the Public Sector

How to Talk About Government

Our GoalsOur Goals

•To foster a more To foster a more productive productive discourse about discourse about the role of the role of governmentgovernment

Our GoalsOur Goals

•To create an To create an active active constituency for a constituency for a competent public competent public sector, to protect sector, to protect and promote the and promote the common good. common good.

America is at a cross-roads: Public Challenges & Public Will

Big Societal Challenges

Dominant perceptions of Dominant perceptions of government undermine government undermine

support for public solutionssupport for public solutions.

Two Year Research Study

What do Americans think about Government?

GOVERNMENT

“Bi-Partisan”Steve Benezue

Just Politics

Mindless Bureaucracy

• Dominant and Resilient images immediate come to mind.

• Concrete images of the systems and structures of government are missing.

• Consumerist thinking narrows understanding and responsibility as citizens.

The Challenge

The Good News

• The “idea” of government is not lost

• Remember the unique mission and purpose of government

• Talk about public interest and common good

The Good News

• A role in public issues and shaping government

• Desire for consensus building and problem-solving

• Stewardship and planning for the future – roles for government

Dominant Thinking

Cultural stories and stereotypes…

New Openings

More More productive productive perspectives perspectives

provide provide

openings for openings for new new conversationsconversations……

n

a partisan blowhard spectator sport“Bi-Partisan”

Steve Benezue

Just Politics

Mission and Purpose

Mission & Purpose

VALUES• Common Good

• Quality of Life

• Community Wellbeing

ROLE• Protector

• Manager & Planner

• Steward

blurry and undefined; only dimly understood

Systems and Structures

Systems and Structures

Mindless Bureaucracy

Systems & Structures

•Concrete and vivid images

•The public systems we have created

•How they work

•Why they are important

What’s in it for me, and what is it going to cost?

Consumer Stance

Governmentas Vending

Machine Citizen Stance

OurGovernment

Citizen Thinking

• Interdependence

• Working together

• Problem-solving

• Everyone has a role to play

Just Politics

Dominant Stories

Bureaucracy Vending Machine

. . .can’t solve anything . . . not my responsibility

Mission & Purpose

New Stories

Systems & Structures

Citizen-Thinking

. . . our tool for solutions & the common good . . .

Making the Case

• Values: Articulate the Public Good behind the policies and programs

• System Thinking: Help reveal our essential Public Systems & Structures

• Awaken the Citizen: What is our shared stake and responsibility?

Our Our AspirationsAspirations

Efficient, Effective Efficient, Effective Government Government

Committed to the Committed to the common goodcommon good

Dēmos: A Network for Ideas & Action www.demos.org

How to Talk About Government

© Public Works: The Dēmos Center for the Public Sector, 2010