Understanding DRL’s Democracy Programming Framework

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) grounds its approach to democracy support on the idea that democratic authority lies within and is drawn from citizens. DRL therefore centers its democracy programming framework on the principle that democratic systems include expanded citizen access to full civic and political participation, engagement, and influence. Its approach focuses on making political contestation, participation, and the flow of information more democratic. Toward this end, DRL’s democracy objectives seek to support democratic actors and institutions to strengthen their legitimacy, resilience, and ability to fulfill their responsibilities to citizens, and to do so amid emerging opportunities and threats.

DRL’s Democracy Programming Framework consists of six objectives.

Objective 1: Political parties contest power democratically

Objective Description

DRL’s approach to promoting political competition focuses on building stronger connections between political parties and citizens. DRL defines political parties as organized groups of individuals that represent specific constituencies, aggregate citizens’ interests or sets of political beliefs, and aim to influence public policy through legislation and elections. Political parties also serve to mobilize citizens to participate in politics, balance opposing demands, and represent their platforms and positions when in office.

Sub-Objectives

1.1: Political parties have clear constituencies to which they are responsive and accountable 

1.2: Political parties organize and prioritize complex policy issues under a consistent platform 

1.3: Political parties mobilize their constituents to contest power effectively and democratically, including through democratic elections 

1.4: Political parties are informed by and inclusive of diverse populations and marginalized communities  

Objective 2: Civil society facilitates democratic political participation

Objective Description

Civil society is often a locus of democratic knowledge and capacity. DRL defines civil society as organizations and networks that link citizens and the state and facilitate civic participation and democratic norms. Civil society organizations’ priorities may range from attracting attention and participation around an issue or interest to advocating for an issue or interest, or building democratic culture and reducing polarization through civic participation that transcends societal divides.

Sub-Objectives

2.1: Civil society convenes citizens with cross cutting interests and identities 

2.2: Civil society advocates for the advancement of citizen interests   

2.3: Civil society builds democratic culture and values 

2.4: Civil society is informed by and inclusive of diverse populations and marginalized communities 

Objective 3: Independent journalists and media outlets facilitate the democratic exchange of ideas and information

Objective Description

In a democratic system, the ability of community members to access independent media free from harassment, intimidation, and bias is critical to foster the free and fair exchange of ideas and investing in a democratic and pluralistic culture. Independent journalism provides critical access to reliable and fact-based information and in doing so counters misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and corruption that erodes the legitimacy of democratic actors and institutions. DRL defines the media as independent journalists, traditional and new media outlets, and citizen journalists who create content, spread and distill information, or otherwise contribute to the free flow of information.

Sub-Objectives

3.1: Independent journalists and media outlets produce and disseminate well-researched, factual, and accurate investigative and political reporting  

3.2: Independent journalists and media outlets operate safely and securely  

3.3: Independent journalists and media are adaptive and operationally sustainable  

3.4: Independent journalists and media are informed by and inclusive of diverse populations and marginalized communities. 

Objective 4: Citizens advance democratic principles and processes

Objective Description

DRL predicates its broader approach to democracy on the idea that democratic authority lies within and is drawn from citizens. This requires expanding citizen access to full civic and political participation, engagement, and influence within democratic institutions, even when those activities happen outside formal democratic institutions.

Sub-Objectives

4.1: Citizens organize and mobilize around shared priorities 

4.2: Citizens develop strategies to navigate repression and closing political space. 

4.3: Citizens engage in networks to promote democratic norms and values locally, nationally, and across borders 

4.4: Citizens promote and respect the participation of diverse populations and marginalized communities in democratic processes 

Objective 5: Government institutions are guided by citizen priorities

Objective Description

Making government institutions more accessible and transparent is a key component of building democratic legitimacy, particularly in nascent, fragile, or emerging democracies. This objective focuses on strengthening government actors and institutions’ connections with citizens and their ability to develop responsive governance mechanisms that build citizen trust and confidence, and promote citizen participation in democratic institutions and processes.

Sub-Objectives

5.1: Government institutions conduct outreach and are responsive to constituents and civil society 

5.2: Government institutions operate transparently and communicate their mandates clearly 

5.3: Government institutions enact democratic reforms 

5.4: Government institutions are informed by and inclusive of diverse populations and marginalized communities

Objective 6: Democratic actors and institutions adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges to democracy

Objective Description

Democratic institutions are struggling to remain resilient amid 21st century threats and opportunities, such as the rise of illiberal political actors, the evolution of political competition in the digital age, the emergence of new transnational crises, and the rise in institutional distrust in response to these conditions. This objective encompasses newer approaches to democracy support intended to build institutional resilience and agility in response to emerging threats and opportunities.

Sub-Objectives

6.1: Democratic actors and institutions test new strategies and draw support from nontraditional spaces and partnerships  

6.2: Democratic actors and institutions are agile and respond quickly to changing contexts and emerging threats 

6.3: Democratic actors and institutions use new platforms and technologies to improve their work 

6.4: Democratic actors in exile for their work supporting democracy continue their operations