R&D for Democracy
How Politics Can Be Informed By Private Sector R&D Practices
Innovation includes events that are either the exploration and exploitation of new market opportunities, or the development and subsequent marketing of an invention or idea.
R&D requires a longer timeframe to yield results. This timeframe typically is measured in multiple years, not months.
Only a longer-term effort that results in well-researched and tested programs will lead to fundamental changes that reestablish a public sector that works for the majority of the people in this country.
We are at a flexion point in history. Let’s develop the resources to confront its challenges and realize its opportunities.
The Crisis: American democratic values and the ability of government to serve the public face a growing threat.
The MAGA right doesn’t support basic tenets of democracy, rejects election outcomes, advances an extreme agenda, seeks control of the Courts, threatens basic civil rights and seeks to destroy a functioning government and public sector.
The Challenge: We are at a flexion point in American history.
We must understand the cultural and political paths to reestablishing a functioning and healthy democracy. This requires taking a long view with new innovations, leading to widespread adoption and fundamental change.
Improving tactics, in-cycle experiments and new strategies win elections. But, to create fundamental change…We need a parallel strategy with a longer timeframe to make advances of a different type. We need “disruptive” innovations and new strategies to create a culture that celebrates democracy and its promise – while rejecting those who are destroying the foundations upon which this country was formed.