the trust for representative democracy · the trust for representative democracy author: karl t....

www.ncsl.org/trust

Trust for Representative Democracy

Why?Need to counter public cynicism and distrustPresent a more positive and accurate view of legislaturesIf legislators and staff don’t defend the institution, who does?Return to ideas of framers of Constitution

Public Cynicism18-24 year-old opinion

More than 50% say “You can’t trust politicians because they’re dishonest.”2/3 say “My generation’s voice is important but no one is listening.”9 of 10 say “A few big interests run the government.”

Belief in Government Responsiveness

“All they do is bicker.”85% of all ages say, “Elected officials would help more if they stopped talking and took action on problems.”The public attaches no value to deliberation--the debate, negotiation and compromise that are vital to our system.

Causes of CynicismMessy legislative processesMedia focus on conflict Increasing group demandsPoliticians run against the systemElections/governing disconnectSocietal changes--more conflicting views of government

Consequences of CynicismDemoralizing to elected officialsHinders recruitment of candidatesHarder to build consensusWeakens representative democracy

Term limits, tax and expenditure limitsPromotes alternatives

Electronic democracyStrong executives

Trust for Representative DemocracyPublic education and outreach programRepresentative democracy works--not without flaws, but better than any conceivable alternative.www.ncsl.org/trust

Back to School Program

America’s Legislators Back to School Program

•www.ncsl.org/backtoschool

•Online lesson plans correlated to state standards

•Resource materials for classroom use

Legislators Back to School Program

Legislators teach aboutWhat it’s like to be a legislatorConflict, negotiation, compromise

Lesson plans and resources for classroomsPart of legislators’representational function

Age-appropriate Resource Materials

Citizen Brain: Feeding on American Democracy

Video for 4th - 6th Grade

American Democracy TelevisionFree programming to public, educational, governmental (PEG) channels450 stations in 50 states

The Thicket

www.ncsl.org/thethicket

A bipartisan blog by and for legislative junkies…enter at your own risk!

Project CitizenA civic education program for middle school students that:

Promotes participation in state and local governmentTeaches kids about public policy

Cosponsored by NCSL with the Center for Civic Education