Reclaiming Control Together: Building Narrative Power Against Authoritarian Populism
A new framing science brief from Topos Partnership, Reclaiming Control Together: Building Narrative Power Against Authoritarian Populism, looks at how powerlessness, disconnection, and distrust can fuel authoritarian appeals — and, crucially, how advocates can respond with narratives that foster agency, solidarity, and engagement.
The core takeaway is both urgent and actionable: Democracy survives when people believe it is theirs. Our task, then, is not only to defend democratic institutions but to make democracy feel real, responsive, and within reach.
Click on the image above to access the brief. Inside, you’ll find four narrative pillars for this moment (along with examples of these approaches in action):
- Center people power and solidarity
- Reframe democracy as something we practice together
- Uplift hope and joy over fear
- Show why and how democracy matters in people’s daily lives
We hope this brief offers useful grounding, strategic clarity, and helpful additional resources as you navigate this moment and the months ahead.
