I took people's advice making an educational video about public policy. I am framing it as "survival civics" and the ideal citizen education if democracy wasn't so messed up. My hope is to spread practical ideas and tools that work for reform but also for rebuilding after collapse.

I am hoping others see things similarly? I think I'm being constructively cynical, as opposed to so cynical I shut down and just languish.

For the video I chose a Policy Window to describe the phenomenon of news stories that ignite discussion in broad society that often fail to result in change.

Whether it's global warming and weather disasters, or school shootings and gun control, or underfunded building services like in Miami, policy windows are an opportunity when things line up for change to happen.

But they often fail to line up where the leaders at the top of the pyramid change course or make different kinds of decisions. This headline from The New York Times is a prime example why.

I think we need a real revolution and innovation in how we teach people about civics in a way that sidesteps and even reconciles a very tortured political rung of discourse. I try to do so by deconstructing and framing everything in terms of group problem-solving and outcomes.

If we want society to get better, eventually it boils down to organizing leadership and priorities, and how those get elevated and chosen is very reliant on a very flawed public understanding of politics. Because of the last 100 years in public education, journalism, and political gamesmanship, we're at a place where nearly every democracy, certainly in North America (can't speak for elsewhere) is failing at addressing systemic issues.

Even infrastructure is a partisan morass, never mind climate change. But it's all part of a democratic ecosystem where people are choosing who leads based on what they think is going on and what to do about it. If those components are each broken (as citizens, media, and political parties each are) then the ability of a democracy to effectively problem-solve is stunted and outcomes and real life impacts reflect that.

Essentially, if we want better leaders, we need better voters.

And this has to happen. Because if fair-minded and reasonable people skilled with history and a passion for providing better for others don't, others will. QAnon will.

If you're interested in the video, it's here.

Otherwise, I am looking for support in principle and always open to ideas about democratic renewal and innovation.

Submitted July 12, 2021 at 08:17AM by civicsfactor https://ift.tt/3yU9aTL