About | American Democracy Project

Our Mission

The American Democracy Project exists to provide accessible, evidence-based resources for understanding and resisting authoritarian threats to American democracy. We translate cutting-edge academic research into actionable strategies that empower citizens, activists, and policymakers to defend democratic institutions.

Core Principle: Democracy requires active defense. Understanding how authoritarian movements operate—and having concrete actions to resist them—is essential for every citizen.

Methodology

Evidence-Based Approach

Every policy/action module and recommendation on this site is grounded in academic research, comparative political analysis, and documented case studies from successful democratic resistance movements worldwide. We prioritize:

Peer-reviewed research from leading political scientists and democracy scholars
Comparative analysis of democratic backsliding and resistance across multiple countries
Data-driven insights from organizations tracking civil resistance and democratic health
Case study evidence from successful and unsuccessful resistance efforts

Evidence Standards

We evaluate policy proposals using a three-tier evidence system:

★★★ Strong Evidence

Supported by multiple rigorous studies with consistently positive results across different contexts

★★ Moderate Evidence

Supported by some rigorous studies with generally positive results; may have implementation challenges

★ Emerging Evidence

Promising preliminary evidence; requires further study and careful implementation

Framework Influences

Key Scholars & Research

Danielle Allen (Harvard) - Democracy renovation, deliberative engagement, and institutional reform
Erica Chenoweth (Harvard) - Civil resistance effectiveness, nonviolent action, and movement strategies
Rachel Beatty Riedl (Cornell) - Democratic backsliding, opposition strategies, and resistance pathways
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - Democratic backsliding typology and comparative analysis
V-Dem Institute - Democracy measurement and global tracking

Research Organizations

Harvard's Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation
Harvard's Nonviolent Action Lab
Cornell Brooks School Center on Global Democracy
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law
Campaign Legal Center

Scope & Limitations

What This Site Provides

Documented analysis of authoritarian reframings of American politics
Evidence-based democracy policy/action modules with policy solutions
Concrete actions individuals can take (sharing content, contacting representatives)
Connections to organizations actively working on these issues
Strategic framework based on successful resistance movements

What This Site Does NOT Provide

Partisan political endorsements or candidate recommendations
Guaranteed outcomes or simplistic solutions
Legal advice (consult qualified attorneys for legal guidance)
Comprehensive coverage of all democratic challenges

Important Note: Democratic defense requires sustained, coordinated effort across multiple fronts. No single action or strategy is sufficient. This site provides tools and frameworks; effective resistance requires ongoing engagement and adaptation.

Updates & Accuracy

This site is updated using new scholarship, real-world reframing examples, movement best practices, and community feedback.

Report factual errors, broken links, or suggestions to contact@americandemocracyproject.org.

How to Contribute

We welcome contributions from researchers, organizers, journalists, and the public.

For all inquiries, submissions, media, and technical issues, contact contact@americandemocracyproject.org.

Disclaimer

The American Democracy Project is an educational resource designed to inform citizens about democratic threats and resistance strategies. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or professional advice.

Policy recommendations represent evidence-based best practices but do not account for all political contexts or implementation challenges. Users should exercise judgment in applying these strategies to their specific situations.

This site is nonpartisan in the sense that it defends democratic institutions and processes rather than specific parties or candidates. However, documenting authoritarian tactics necessarily involves describing specific political behaviors and actors.

Acknowledgments

This project builds on the groundbreaking work of scholars, activists, and organizations dedicated to understanding and defending democracy. We are particularly grateful for:

The researchers who make their findings accessible to broad audiences
The organizations providing nonpartisan democracy defense resources
The activists and organizers testing these strategies in real-world contexts
The citizens engaging with these materials to defend democratic institutions

Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Version: 2.0

About the Project