Collection
Learn more about tools, models, and mechanisms that have been used to advance democracy. By defining democracy as a social technology that can be evolved, designed and changed through innovative solutions, we look to the policies, case studies, and technologies implemented by institutions to advance economic progress.
Participatory Budgeting
Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that allows community members to decide how to allocate a portion of public funds, fostering civic engagement and collaboration between residents and local governments.
Income Sharing Agreements (ISAs)
Income sharing agreements fund a student’s education in exchange for a share of their future income.
Public Campaign Financing
Public campaign financing is reshaping elections by reducing the influence of big money, empowering grassroots candidates, and making democracy more accessible — but can it overcome the challenges of rising costs and outside spending?
Quantitative Easing (QE)
Quantitative easing (QE) is an unconventional monetary policy tool used by central banks to stimulate economies during recessions when traditional interest rate policies are insufficient. This overview examines QE’s implementation during the 2008 Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic, its benefits, risks, and broader societal implications.
Registered Apprenticeships
Registered apprenticeships put millions of workers on the path to economic stability, but we can do more to increase equitable access to this life-changing pipeline.
Federal Credit Unions
Federal Credit Unions (FCUs) are not-for-profit, member-owned institutions offering affordable financial services that combat predatory lending and invest in underserved communities.
Permanent Funds
Permanent funds, exemplified by Alaska's program, demonstrate how the usage of resource wealth can be transformed into financial benefits for residents.
Facial Recognition Technology
Facial recognition technology (FRT) raises critical concerns about exploitation, privacy, discrimination, and worker rights —disproportionately impacting marginalized communities.
Paid Family Leave Social Insurances
Paid family leave (PFL) social insurance is a more equitable alternative to employer-sponsored leave, often unavailable to low-wage workers. However, to ensure equitable access, public PFL must provide sufficient wage replacements to enable low-income workers to apply and fully benefit from the program.
Worker Centers
Worker centers represent a transformative approach to labor organizing by providing essential services and support to workers who often fall outside traditional union structures, particularly immigrants and those in precarious employment.
Data Cooperatives
Data cooperatives are emerging as a promising solution to counter exploitation in the digital economy — empowering workers to control, monetize, and collectively govern their personal data.