Searching for a New Paradigm: Collective Settings - A partnership between More in Common

Her studies of electoral reform in Alaska, the behavioral interventions of Braver Angels of Central Texas, and the “everyday democracy” of Blue Mountain Forest Partners in Oregon draw on 47 original interviews and hundreds of hours in the field and Collective Settings: The Civic Infrastructure of Everyday Democracy I 2 Executive Summary highlight the strengths and challenges of each respective app. [...] Understanding the value and ubiquity of such efforts reframes the question of reforming democracy from “How do we get people to do a thing?” to “How do we equip people to become the kind of people who do what needs to be done?”4 Unlike existing paradigms, this approach focuses on the importance of collective experience instead of individual incentives, and prioritizes reforms that build (evidence-. [...] Many character Collective Settings: The Civic Infrastructure of Everyday Democracy I 15 ized the ballots as confusing and worried that they de- lican, explained, “You get candidates that are kind of not pressed turnout.17 Some questioned the value of rewarding one way or the other, kind of the middle of the road.... [...] Established in 2006, this mutually beneficial solutions.12 All voting members must “diverse group of stakeholders” unites around a process sign the Declaration of Commitment that promises to that is “locally-supported, incentives-driven and that relies honor established agreements and to advance the BMFP on the power of solutions that integrate the environmental, mission.13 The BMFP uses a “consen. [...] Monthly field trips to monitor the progress and status of projects in the forest allow for informal discussions and a Participatory Governance visceral reminder of their shared work.20 Scientist James The partnership is built on the mutual understanding that Johnston, an assistant professor in the College of Forestry working together is the only path forward.