1A 'If You Can Keep It': Democracy In 2026
Jan 5, 2026
Join Kate Woodson, founder of the Invisible Threads Impact Lab, Max Steyer from the Partnership for Public Service, and Gabe Fleischer of the Wake Up to Politics newsletter as they delve into the state of American democracy entering 2026. They discuss how mental health impacts civic engagement and the institutional threats posed by political leaders. Young people's skepticism towards democracy is highlighted, alongside strategies for effective public engagement and local action. The conversation emphasizes the need for resilience and ownership in democracy's future.
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Perception Gap Fuels Democratic Paralysis
- Many citizens feel democracy is declining but lack a shared sense that it's threatened enough to act.
- That paralysis leaves institutions and people who sustain them vulnerable to erosion.
Executive Power And Court Rules Amplify Risk
- The core threat identified is a president who collapses private interest into public power.
- Court decisions and new legal rules have compounded dangers by expanding executive reach.
Young People: Skeptical Yet Engaged
- Young people are highly skeptical of institutions and often distrust courts, Congress, and media.
- That skepticism coexists with high attention and engagement online and at the ballot box.