RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

The FixUS Solutions Landscape is an objective summary and evaluation of some of the institutional reforms most commonly proposed as fixes for our representative democracy's most glaring problems, including redistricting, primary, and money-in-politics reforms and ranked-choice voting. This project grew out of an observation from some of our academic partners that even well-versed people can have a challenging time understanding and navigating what the overall research findings are for these and other ideas to address hyperpolarization, partly due to inconsistent study conclusions and, with frequently shifting policy landscapes across the country, the perpetual release of new literature concerning these subjects.

To respond to these observations, we have researched and drafted a holistic reform summary in the form of a Google Doc. We have designed this document as a collaborative review-type product that we intend to regularly update with new information and research, as well as based on comments and critiques we receive from experts in the field. It will also be expanded to other policy areas.

And now, with our newest update, the document also summarizes every state and Washington, DC, and which reforms each jurisdiction has and has not adopted.

View the Solutions Landscape here.

As we entered 2024, a presidential election year widely anticipated to instigate more national division than any in living memory, we desired to do something to reverse three of the most harmful consequences of our nation's polarization, distrust, and dysfunction that we have increasingly observed:

1. Frayed relationships with friends, colleagues, and loved ones.
2. A lack of community and connection with others who desire to make a positive change in society in the face of our challenges.
3. A lost sense of agency to turn the tide on our challenges and enact that positive change.

So, with the help of conflict resolution expert and Columbia University professor Peter Coleman, we devised the FixUS Depolarization Challenge. And from February to April, about 40 volunteers from the FixUS community completed numerous activities backed by social-psychology research for reducing interpersonal tension – they shared meals with ideological opponents, consumed news from varied sources, engaged in physical exercise, and more. Additionally, they convened regularly over Zoom to discuss their opinions of the project, share their personal histories that inspired them to participate, and build a general sense of community.

Our report details the origins of the Challenge, the assigned activities, feedback on the program's successes, and reflections on our opportunities for growing and improving the Challenge in the future. It is our hope that this resource will provide a valuable contribution to the growing bridge-building community and give invaluable hope to the members of the general public who believe (or wish to believe) that creating a better political/cultural dynamic in the United States is possible.

Read the report here.

In a nationwide poll conducted by YouGov, FixUS asked respondents for their views on a range of American ideals, values, and historical events – finding that even in our polarized environment, Americans share feelings of patriotism and national pride.

Respondents bridged the political spectrum – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – and offered a glimpse into important findings. Americans are proud of their country and largely take pride in the historical events and achievements which have shaped the nation. Americans are unified on the importance of fundamental ideals such as America as a land of opportunity and a country of equality and justice for all – though divided on how close we are to achieving them. And though majorities are concerned about increased polarization and few feel their voices are heard in government, Americans agree that loving one’s country means working to improve it.

View the preliminary findings and press release here.

Watch the virtual discussion of preliminary findings here.

View the full dataset here.

The FixUS team is proud of our achievements to date and deeply appreciative of all those supporters who have come along with us on this journey. Our work has only begun, and in spite of the enormity of the challenge, it’s a cause we will go down fighting for. 

Read the report.

FixUS convened the perspectives of 30 experts on the root causes of the rising division, governmental dysfunction, and public distrust. The goal is to use the questions raised to further the national dialogue on how to address the problems and move the country forward.

Read the report.

FixUS engaged Americans on some simple yet fundamental questions about ourselves as a nation: What do we value? What are our common goals and aspirations for ourselves, our communities, and our country? Check out our report summarizing findings from a first round of focus group discussions on these topics. 

Read the report.

FixUS brought together a group of public servants for their unique perspectives – including former members of Congress, cabinet secretaries, governors, and ambassadors – to shed some light on the severe polarization and bitterly divisive politics facing our country. The perspectives in this report represent nearly 1,000 years of public service, spanning every presidential administration from John F. Kennedy to Donald J. Trump, and evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. 

Read the report.

View complete responses.

In September 2020, FixUS commissioned a poll examining Americans’ underlying values and goals for themselves and their country. The purpose of the poll was to serve as a jumping off point for a citizen-led engagement effort intended to facilitate a better understanding of where there are commonalities we can build upon. We asked respondents to look beyond the current crises we face with the hope of beginning to build a foundation for restoring a shared sense of purpose in these divided times.

Check out the poll’s press release, summary, and top-line results.

The FixUS Nationwide Roadshow & Listening Tour engaged numerous local audiences around the country - in civic and business groups, community forums, young professional and student groups and others - to better understand what citizens think, value and believe is causing heightened levels of political division. Speakers discussed the root causes of our national problems and educated on the need to come together around possible solutions. 

Click here to read the Roadshow Report. 

As part of our national dialogue, FixUS hosts focus groups on a range of issues relating to common goals and values, division, and possible solutions to our current situation. Our inaugural focus groups were held in September 2020 and were centered around the reforms proposed by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship in their report, Our Common Purpose. 

Click here to read a summary of these focus groups’ findings. 

For those looking to learn more about FixUS, the problems we seek to address, and the other organizations working on these issues, please see the resources we’ve compiled below.

Click here to view the FixUS Library, a wide-ranging collection of readings that shed light on the current state of the country.

Click here to view the FixUS Organizational Landscape Review, a thorough inventory of the various groups operating in the democracy reform space.