Authoritarians are remarkably effective at deploying weaponized narratives to undermine democracy. They use stories to shift norms, legitimize autocratic actions, erode trust, and spread misinformation — often under the guise of defending democracy. They imbue their false narratives with clear, relatable messages rooted in values people hold dear, such as honesty and security.
Just this week, using a “security justifies all” narrative, the Trump administration took over Washington, D.C.’s police department and mobilized National Guard troops, portraying the city as overrun by “bloodthirsty criminals” even though violent crime is at a 30-year low.
By contrast, those fighting to protect democracy often struggle to tell a clear and motivating story about why it matters. They mistakenly assume that people appreciate what it takes to sustain democracy, while relying on technical terms such as “rule of law” or “separation of powers” that can feel removed from people’s daily lives.
This communication gap has created an urgent challenge for philanthropy. Leaders across the sector increasingly recognize the need for stronger pro-democracy narratives but aren’t sure what that means in practice. And they grapple with how to invest in countering attacks on democracy while building a positive vision people can support.
The first task is coming to agreement about what narratives work. The second is building the infrastructure to spread those narratives widely…
