that government is the public works: mos center for the public...

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Dēmos: A Network for Ideas & Action220 Fifth Avenue, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10027phone: 212.633.1405www.demos‐usa.org

Public Works: Public Works: The DThe Dēēmos Center for the Public Sectormos Center for the Public Sector

McAllen, Texas May 4, 2007

Patrick Bresette – [email protected] Kinsey – [email protected]

Talking about Government

5/3/2007 2Public Works

That government is the That government is the strongest of which every strongest of which every man feels himself a part.man feels himself a part.

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson


Why Does Government Exist?What Distinguishes It

What Does Government Do?

Back to the Foundation


But what first comes to mind But what first comes to mind when you think of Government?when you think of Government?

BigBig…………………………………………..Inefficient..Inefficient………………………….Bureaucracy.Bureaucracy………………....

……………………..Too controlled..Too controlled…………………………..……..Corrupt..Corrupt…………………………………………

……………………..Controlling..Controlling…………High TaxesHigh Taxes…………………………Red TapeRed Tape…………....

ConfusingConfusing………….. Crooked.. Crooked………………WastefulWasteful…………..Cronies..Cronies……....…………

…………Big and powerfulBig and powerful…………Out of TouchOut of Touch………….Talking Heads.....Talking Heads....

………………………………InvasiveInvasive…………………….Nanny.Nanny………………..……Big BrotherBig Brother…………..……

……..Partisan bickering..Partisan bickering………………………………………………………………………….Polarized.Polarized……..

………………………………………………..…………GridGrid--lockedlocked……………………………………………………………………... ...

For most Americans, top of the mind associations are negativeFor most Americans, top of the mind associations are negative

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What do you think of the Government? Video, part 1


Problematic Perceptions•• 67% feel government generally pursues its own agenda.67% feel government generally pursues its own agenda.

•• 64% feel distant and disconnected from government.64% feel distant and disconnected from government.

•• 64% believe the federal government creates more 64% believe the federal government creates more problems than it solvesproblems than it solves

•• 63% think government serves only special interests.63% think government serves only special interests.

•• 57% believe that when something is run by the 57% believe that when something is run by the government it is usually inefficient and wastefulgovernment it is usually inefficient and wasteful

•• 71% think poor people have become too dependent on 71% think poor people have become too dependent on government assistance programgovernment assistance program

Source: HartSource: Hart--Teeter, CBS News, Pew Research Center, as analyzed in Teeter, CBS News, Pew Research Center, as analyzed in ““By, or for the By, or for the People?People?”” a Metaa Meta--analysis of Public Opinion of Government, by Meg Bostrom, analysis of Public Opinion of Government, by Meg Bostrom, Public Knowledge.Public Knowledge.


Competing Views of Government““II’’ve always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English lanve always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, guage are, ‘‘II’’m from the government and Im from the government and I’’m here to help.m here to help.’”’”

---- Ronald Reagan, 1986 (repeating a wellRonald Reagan, 1986 (repeating a well--worn oneworn one--liner)liner)

Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alieLet us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power n power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a Presidenover us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and t and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the votersenators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this s of this country. country.

---- Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt

Sometimes it . . . feels as if it has been 65 years since anyoneSometimes it . . . feels as if it has been 65 years since anyone talked about talked about ““the governmentthe government”” in the approving tone that John Steinbeckin the approving tone that John Steinbeck’’s characters s characters do . . . To judge from the ambient chatter do . . . To judge from the ambient chatter ---- the cable talk shows . . . the the cable talk shows . . . the jokes about how many bureaucrats it takes to change a light bulbjokes about how many bureaucrats it takes to change a light bulb (1000(1000--plus hits on Google) plus hits on Google) ---- it seems to be a truth universally acknowledged that it seems to be a truth universally acknowledged that government is a really terrible idea. People may be willing to dgovernment is a really terrible idea. People may be willing to defend efend particular government programs, but itparticular government programs, but it’’s hard to find anyone with a good s hard to find anyone with a good word for the institution of government itself. word for the institution of government itself.

---- Geoffrey Nunberg, Geoffrey Nunberg, ““Thinking about the GovernmentThinking about the Government””The American Prospect 5/6/05The American Prospect 5/6/05


The Dangerous Demise•• We have witnessed 30 years of decline in faith in We have witnessed 30 years of decline in faith in

government.government.•• Paralleled by other cultural changes and Paralleled by other cultural changes and ““civic civic

disconnections.disconnections.•• Exacerbated by governmentExacerbated by government’’s own stumbles.s own stumbles.•• Has fueled and been fueled by a Has fueled and been fueled by a ““small government, low small government, low

tax, freetax, free--market primacymarket primacy””•• Inadequate defense by those who care about a public Inadequate defense by those who care about a public

sector role.sector role.

This has resulted in:This has resulted in:•• a downward spiral in the capacity of and support for the a downward spiral in the capacity of and support for the

public sectorpublic sector•• a government hobbled and suspect, and all policy a government hobbled and suspect, and all policy

agendas with it.agendas with it.

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Both direct and indirect consequencesBoth direct and indirect consequences

•• A lost understanding that certain challenges can only A lost understanding that certain challenges can only be addressed at scale and effectively by our collective be addressed at scale and effectively by our collective ““abilityability”” through the public sector.through the public sector.

•• A disconnect between taxes and what their purpose is.A disconnect between taxes and what their purpose is.

•• Any notions of the Any notions of the ““public purposespublic purposes”” of government of government have been displaced by have been displaced by ““government as political government as political theatertheater””..

•• Cynicism and disconnection.Cynicism and disconnection.

The Dangerous Demise


Getting back to the Foundation•• There may be new openings in the public mind for There may be new openings in the public mind for

reconsiderations of the dominant reconsiderations of the dominant ““antianti--governmentgovernment”” stancestance

•• But, renewing an aspirational vision of what government could But, renewing an aspirational vision of what government could and should be about will require all of us to play a role: and should be about will require all of us to play a role:

•• Business and Community LeadersBusiness and Community Leaders•• NonNon--profitsprofits•• Public Officials and the Public Sector itselfPublic Officials and the Public Sector itself•• Policy and Program AdvocatesPolicy and Program Advocates

•• Can we balance our own frustrations and critiques with an Can we balance our own frustrations and critiques with an articulated notion of what we, as a society, need from our articulated notion of what we, as a society, need from our government and engage the public in that goal?government and engage the public in that goal?


Talking About GovernmentA year and a half of multiA year and a half of multi--method, multimethod, multi--disciplinary research disciplinary research

conducted by the FrameWorks Institute:conducted by the FrameWorks Institute:

• How people perceive and think about government

• What “frames” dominate their perceptions

• What alternative—and more constructive—frames are available to them

With the goals of:With the goals of:

• Identifying ways to shift (reframe) public perception

• Rebuilding awareness of and support for government’s role in society

• Creating tools for social policy advocates, community leaders, policymakers and all who seek broader support for government capacity to address and solve social challenges.


This is about:This is about:

•• Valuing a proactive role Valuing a proactive role for competent for competent governmentgovernment

•• Encouraging the public to Encouraging the public to aspire to a government it aspire to a government it can believe incan believe in

•• Promoting a nonPromoting a non--partisan, partisan, reasonable, problemreasonable, problem--solving perspectivesolving perspective

•• Making people smarter Making people smarter about governmentabout government’’s roles role

This is not about:This is not about:

•• ““LikingLiking”” government as it government as it currently existscurrently exists

•• Promoting satisfaction Promoting satisfaction with governmentwith government

•• Being partisan or even biBeing partisan or even bi--partisanpartisan

•• ““SpinningSpinning”” governmentgovernment’’s s rolerole

Copyright © 2006The Frameworks Institute

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A Multi-Discipline Approach to Communicating and “Framing”

Our work is informed by the Our work is informed by the ““framingframing”” perspectives of perspectives of multiple disciplines and fields:multiple disciplines and fields:

•• Cognitive ScienceCognitive Science

•• LinguisticsLinguistics

•• Public Opinion ResearchPublic Opinion Research

•• Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology

•• Behavioral and social sciencesBehavioral and social sciences

•• Communications, journalism and media studiesCommunications, journalism and media studies

•• Social Movement StudiesSocial Movement Studies


How People Process Information

•• People are not blank slatesPeople are not blank slates

•• Understanding is frameUnderstanding is frame--based, not factbased, not fact--basedbased

•• People get most information about public affairs from the People get most information about public affairs from the news media, which creates a framework of expectation, or news media, which creates a framework of expectation, or dominant framedominant frame

•• To change opinion, you must shift the frameTo change opinion, you must shift the frame






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What we are seeking to understand

Issue Visible Attitude

Hidden Reasoning




So, what does the So, what does the ““swampswamp”” of public of public perception about perception about government look government look like?like?


Understanding Americans’Perceptions of Government

The OpportunitiesThe Opportunities

•• Americans can respond positively to the idea, Americans can respond positively to the idea, mission and role of government. mission and role of government.

•• People want to exercise their role as responsible People want to exercise their role as responsible citizens. citizens.

•• If you can get people out of the context of daily If you can get people out of the context of daily affairs, they are interested in collective action, affairs, they are interested in collective action, respecting consensus, and safeguarding the public respecting consensus, and safeguarding the public good.good.

•• People can see a unique role for government as a People can see a unique role for government as a longlong--term planner. term planner.


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Understanding Americans’Perceptions of Government

The Challenges We Face

•• The word The word ““governmentgovernment”” is loaded with negative is loaded with negative baggage.baggage.

•• Strong, entrenched frames consistently misdirect public Strong, entrenched frames consistently misdirect public thinking.thinking.

•• Distinctions between public and private hold little Distinctions between public and private hold little meaning for the average American.meaning for the average American.

•• People expect business and government to be at odds.People expect business and government to be at odds.

•• Consumerist thinking does not help.Consumerist thinking does not help.


Government as Mind:The Tip of the Iceberg

•• Mind of the country: leadership Mind of the country: leadership and decisionand decision--makingmaking

•• Government necessary but . . .Government necessary but . . .

•• Spectator stanceSpectator stance

•• Politics exaggeratedPolitics exaggerated

•• Government = current Government = current administrationadministration



Elect

LEADERS

PUBLIC

Govern

The “Interpersonal” Model of Government

Americans default to a collapsedmodel of Government – one that includes two terms: Government and People.

•Government acts on People.

•Government is acted on by the People (voting).


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Government as MonolithEverything below the surface

•• Everything except elected Everything except elected leadershipleadership

•• Huge, undifferentiated, Huge, undifferentiated, bureaucratic bureaucratic

•• Less visibleLess visible

•• Obscures public/private sector Obscures public/private sector distinctionsdistinctions

•• Exaggerates waste, bloat and Exaggerates waste, bloat and inefficiency inefficiency

•• Confused about where tax money Confused about where tax money goesgoes



The Bureaucratic BlobThe Bureaucratic Blob


Another Overarching Challenge

The dominance of:The dominance of:•• ConsumerismConsumerism•• Government as Government as

"them""them"

Is overtaking:Is overtaking:•• CitizenshipCitizenship•• Government as Government as

““usus””



Consumer Stance:Governmentas Vending Machine

Not a productive image to reinforce

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Consider the Contrasts:

The Consumer PerspectiveThe Consumer Perspective

•• Government takes money Government takes money that people could use.that people could use.

•• Government redistributes Government redistributes income income –– think taxesthink taxes

•• Government is a drag on the Government is a drag on the economy and a barrier to economy and a barrier to business.business.

•• Government services are for Government services are for the lazy; those who work the lazy; those who work hard will succeed.hard will succeed.

•• Government is the problem.Government is the problem.


The Citizen PerspectiveThe Citizen Perspective

•• Government is a necessary agent Government is a necessary agent in maximizing quality of life.in maximizing quality of life.

•• Government redistributes risk Government redistributes risk ––think Social Security.think Social Security.

•• Government works with citizens Government works with citizens and business to create economic and business to create economic opportunity.opportunity.

•• Government services offer Government services offer protection and empowerment protection and empowerment when needed.when needed.

•• Government is our tool for Government is our tool for solutions.solutions.


Reframing “Responsibility”

•• Consumer Stance Consumer Stance –– Responsibility for Responsibility for MeMe

•• Altruistic Stance Altruistic Stance –– Responsibility for Responsibility for ThemThem

•• Manager Stance Manager Stance –– Responsibility for Responsibility for It/UsIt/Us



What Story Is Being ToldRep. Mike Pence speaking on The Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2006:

"Mr. Speaker, President Bush sent to Capitol Hill . . . a strongconservative budget that represented a good start down the road to fiscal discipline. . . . many conservatives insisted we change the way Washington spends the people's money . . . Simply put, Mr. Speaker, this process adds accountability to the process of spending the people's money . . . this budget changes the way that Washington spends the people's money. And while we are heartened by the creation of this check on rampant spending, we know that it is only the first step. The culture of big spending in Washington has grown ……."


Consumer vs. Citizen Frame Clash

Massachusetts Gubernatorial DebateMassachusetts Gubernatorial Debate

Healey: Healey: The way you grow a stronger economy is to allow The way you grow a stronger economy is to allow people to keep their own moneypeople to keep their own money and to allow and to allow businesses to have more money so that they can add businesses to have more money so that they can add jobs. That's how you grow the economy, Deval. jobs. That's how you grow the economy, Deval.

Patrick: Patrick: It is their money, but it's also their broken road. It is their money, but it's also their broken road. And it's their overAnd it's their over--crowded school.crowded school. It's their broken It's their broken neighborhood and broken neighbor. . . it's not this idea neighborhood and broken neighbor. . . it's not this idea that people earn what they earn and have no that people earn what they earn and have no responsibility for the Commonwealth. We have a responsibility for the Commonwealth. We have a responsibility, responsibility, in addition to personal responsibility, to in addition to personal responsibility, to take charge of shared responsibility.take charge of shared responsibility.

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Why Government Exists; What

Distinguishes It

Missing frame ingredients in the discussion about government

protector, responsible manager, watchdog, protector, responsible manager, watchdog, longlong--term planner, the peopleterm planner, the people’’s voice, shared s voice, shared

opportunity, stewardship, common good, opportunity, stewardship, common good, public purpose, shared fate, working togetherpublic purpose, shared fate, working together


Why Government Exists; What

Distinguishes It

CommonGood Protection



Government as Protector

. . . . . . public institutionspublic institutions to set and to set and enforce the regulations to enforce the regulations to protect protect us from physical and financial us from physical and financial harm . . .harm . . .

. . . . . . with the support of citizens with the support of citizens and businessand business, public sector , public sector institutions can set and enforce institutions can set and enforce these protections these protections on behalf of the on behalf of the public good public good . . .. . .

““ItIt’’s not realistic that s not realistic that factories are going to factories are going to police themselves.police themselves.””

“…“….the FDA, the different .the FDA, the different government agencies we government agencies we never even think of, are never even think of, are saying you cansaying you can’’t put this t put this harmful thing in your harmful thing in your product.product.””

---- focus group participantsfocus group participants


Invoking GovernmentInvoking Government’’s Mission: s Mission: Common GoodCommon Good

. . . we all benefit . . . we all benefit when citizens when citizens work with the public sectorwork with the public sector to to identify problems and identify problems and come to come to consensusconsensus on a vision to address on a vision to address those problems . . . those problems . . .

. . .. . . our nationour nation’’s quality of lifes quality of lifenow and into the future depends now and into the future depends upon citizens and public agencies upon citizens and public agencies working for the common good working for the common good . . . . ..


83%

93%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Survey responses when commongood is cued

Taxes are my contribution to society as a citizenof the United States.

There are certain things that individuals cannotdo alone and that require the power of allcitizens.

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What Government Is and Does

concrete and vivid concrete and vivid images of the enduring images of the enduring systems and structures systems and structures we have created, that we have created, that we rely on, and which we rely on, and which must be maintainedmust be maintained



What Government Is and Does

PublicStructures


Government as Government as our Public Structuresour Public Structures

. . .. . . the main advantages that make America so the main advantages that make America so successful come from the successful come from the Public StructuresPublic Structures it has created it has created

. . . these Public Structures include the . . . these Public Structures include the physicalphysical structures structures (highways, airports, and communications grids) and the (highways, airports, and communications grids) and the organizationalorganizational structures (the postal system, courts) we structures (the postal system, courts) we need to get things done, and the need to get things done, and the socialsocial support systems support systems that help to ensure the health and wellthat help to ensure the health and well--being of our being of our communitiescommunities

. . . it is our. . . it is our wellwell--functioning and supportedfunctioning and supported Public Public Structures that are essential for overall success . . .Structures that are essential for overall success . . .



Public Structures Video: part 2

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What were they saying in What were they saying in this video?this video?


Elect

Build, maintain

Yield

LEADERS

PUBLIC BENEFITS

PUBLIC STRUCTURES


We believe this WorksMoving in a Good Direction

When people are primed with values (common good, protection) and a more concrete and vivid description of what government is and does (public structures), they were more likely to suggest that:

• government had a positive role in people’s lives, • regulation of business is necessary to protect the public interest • government should do more to solve problems

There were also a decreases in those who believed:

• The role of the public sector should be to promote the principle of self-reliance

• government is doing too many things that should be left to individuals and business



We believe this Works

• Quantifiable results from research project

• Anecdotal evidence from community leaders, advocates and government officials

• Examples of creating a new conversation about the public sector role in a number of issues

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The Government We Need and DeservePlanting the Seeds of Aspiration

•• Fighting cynicism, raising awareness and creating a Fighting cynicism, raising awareness and creating a constituency constituency ““forfor”” the public sectorthe public sector

•• Helping to create public imagination and aspiration for a Helping to create public imagination and aspiration for a government: government: •• that works for everybodythat works for everybody•• that embodies Americansthat embodies Americans’’ valuesvalues•• with the capacity to meet the challenges aheadwith the capacity to meet the challenges ahead•• that can engage the public and be accountable that can engage the public and be accountable

•• Working with people like you on the slow, steady tasks Working with people like you on the slow, steady tasks necessary to address this challenge necessary to address this challenge


What Can YOU Do with this Knowledge?Business and Community LeadersBusiness and Community Leaders

•• Look for and elevate successful partnerships with the public secLook for and elevate successful partnerships with the public sector, tor, recognize different but equally valuable roles in creating qualirecognize different but equally valuable roles in creating quality of lifety of life

NonNon--profitsprofits•• Help connect the dots between public structures, public funding Help connect the dots between public structures, public funding and and

the network of services and supports provided by NGOs and CBOsthe network of services and supports provided by NGOs and CBOsPublic Officials and the Public Sector itselfPublic Officials and the Public Sector itself

•• More transparency and opportunities for citizen participation, More transparency and opportunities for citizen participation, excellence in service and public interaction, no excellence in service and public interaction, no ““running against running against governmentgovernment””

Policy and Program AdvocatesPolicy and Program Advocates•• Place budget and policy decisions in the context of the values wPlace budget and policy decisions in the context of the values we all e all

share and the future we want, balance criticism with support forshare and the future we want, balance criticism with support forpublic solutions to shared problemspublic solutions to shared problems

We must all elevate notions of shared fate and collective We must all elevate notions of shared fate and collective solutions solutions –– the impetus for government in the first placethe impetus for government in the first place


Discussion Questions•• Do these findings and recommendations resonate with Do these findings and recommendations resonate with

your own experiences?your own experiences?

•• Do you recognize the negative frames about Do you recognize the negative frames about government at play in McAllen? Can you see possibilities government at play in McAllen? Can you see possibilities for a more positive discourse?for a more positive discourse?

•• Are there unique challenges in translating the Are there unique challenges in translating the implications of what is debated and decided at the state implications of what is debated and decided at the state Capitol to the people of McAllen?Capitol to the people of McAllen?

•• How could we deliberately change the conversations in How could we deliberately change the conversations in McAllen about the role of both local and state McAllen about the role of both local and state government in creating the kind of Texas we all want?government in creating the kind of Texas we all want?


Public Works’ Field Work:A New Way of A New Way of

Thinking and Talking about GovernmentThinking and Talking about Government

•• Almost 80 presentations, trainings, and briefings in Almost 80 presentations, trainings, and briefings in 22 states and DC22 states and DC

•• FollowFollow--up support coaching and strategizingup support coaching and strategizing

•• Reviewing and commenting on materialsReviewing and commenting on materials

•• Engaging with partner organizations and coalitions Engaging with partner organizations and coalitions for longer term work for longer term work

•• Creating a userCreating a user--friendly website to reinforce friendly website to reinforce learning learning

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Links to Our Project Team

Public WorksPublic Workswww.dewww.demosmos--usa.org/page283.cfmusa.org/page283.cfm

The Council for Excellence in GovernmentThe Council for Excellence in Governmentwww.excelgov.orgwww.excelgov.org

The FrameWorks InstituteThe FrameWorks Institutewww.frameworksinstitute.orgwww.frameworksinstitute.org


Use of this PresentationThis presentation was developed by This presentation was developed by Public Works: the DPublic Works: the Dēēmos mos Center for the Public SectorCenter for the Public Sector and the and the FrameWorks InstituteFrameWorks Instituteand may contain visual elements with timeand may contain visual elements with time--restricted usage. It is restricted usage. It is intended for limited use solely by individual participants in intended for limited use solely by individual participants in educational trainings conducted by Public Works, the FrameWorks educational trainings conducted by Public Works, the FrameWorks Institute and their research partners. This presentation and thInstitute and their research partners. This presentation and the e research findings contained herein may not be reproduced withoutresearch findings contained herein may not be reproduced withoutthe express permission of Public Works and the FrameWorks the express permission of Public Works and the FrameWorks Institute, and may not be altered in any way. Institute, and may not be altered in any way.

©© FrameWorks Institute, 2006FrameWorks Institute, 2006

©© Public Works: the DPublic Works: the Dēēmos Center for the Public Sector, 2006mos Center for the Public Sector, 2006

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