STRENGTHENING
DEMOCRATIC VALUES
MAKING GOVERNMENT MORE TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE AND JUST
EFFECTIVE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, are an essential component of safe, free and prosperous societies. Our work explores ways to make the process of governing more transparent, accountable and inclusive and more effective in achieving peace and social justice. Worldwide, we believe the best hope for improving lives lies with an engaged populace and with public officials who are committed to building a more secure and equitable future.
STATE FISCAL
ANALYSIS INITIATIVE
$23.9 Million
Since 1993

Goal: Strengthen citizen understanding of state tax and budget policy to ensure public spending reflects public needs and priorities. Today, 29 state policy centers (representing 70 percent of the nation's population) are analyzing government decision making, educating the public and building coalitions to strengthen programs for low-income people and the middle class.

WWW.STATEFISCAL.ORG

IN THE
UNITED STATES
64 %

Turnout rate for 2004 presidential election.

37 %

2006 voter turnout in Texas, W. Virginia, and Utah, the nation's lowest. Minnesota and S. Dakota had the highest—64%

20/21

U.S. voter turnout ranking among established democracies. Only Switzerland is lower.

 

DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND THE RULE OF LAW ARE UNDER THREAT WORLDWIDE. A SURVEY BY FREEDOM HOUSE FOUND A "PROFOUNDLY DISTURBING DETERIORATION" IN DEMOCRACY AND BASIC FREEDOMS IN 2007. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY IS A GOAL THAT REMAINS ELUSIVE IN MANY COUNTRIES.

IN THE U.S. MORE THAN 20 STATES HAVE PASSED RESTRICTIVE VOTER ID LAWS MORE THAN 21 MILLION VOTING AGE U.S. CITIZENS LACK GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID

PROMOTING CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT IN GLOBAL
GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE
$16.8 Million
Since 2002

Goal: Ensure global institutions are more accountable and responsible to disadvantaged communities and protect the rights of all people to participate in global public policy debates. Additionally, seed new grassroots global networks and aid civil society groups to seek open and accountable global governance, set public priorities and empower communities.

38
COUNTRIES SHOWED REVERSALS IN DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS AND BASIC FREEDOMS IN 2007 NEARLY FOUR TIMES AS MANY AS SHOWED SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
PARTICIPATION AND
REPRESENTATION IN
U.S. POLITICS
$20 Million
Since 2003

Goal: Advance political equality in the United States through reforming the electoral system, removing social and legal barriers that keep people from voting and cultivating a culture of political participation, particularly among marginalized populations.

MOVING
BACKWARD
36 %

of the world's people live in countries deemed 'not free' by freedom house.

64 %

Global voter turnout rose from 61% in the 1940s to 68% in the 1980s. Since 1990, the average has fallen back to 64%.