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Experimentocracy

This essay was adopted from a presentation given by Jon Evans at the Second Interdisciplinary Workshop on Reimagining Democracy held on the campus of Harvard Kennedy School in December 2023.

By:

  • Jon Evans

Programs

Reimagining Democracy Program

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This essay was adopted from a presentation given by Jon Evans at the Second Interdisciplinary Workshop on Reimagining Democracy held on the campus of Harvard Kennedy School in December 2023. Convened with support from the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the conference was intended to bring together a diverse set of thinkers and practitioners to talk about how democracy might be reimagined for the twenty-first century.

More from this Program

Descended from Immigrants and Revolutionists: “How Family History Shapes Immigration Policymaking”
Cover photo of paper against a dark green background.

Occasional Paper

Descended from Immigrants and Revolutionists: “How Family History Shapes Immigration Policymaking”

The study examines the influence of family history on U.S. lawmakers’ views on immigration policy, finding that legislators with immigrant ancestry tend to support more permissive immigration laws and speak more positively about immigration. It suggests that personal background, including family history and identity, plays a significant role in shaping policymaking, especially on contentious issues like immigration.

Give Students a Chance To Be on the Right Side of History
Photo of a student protest against the Vietnam War

Commentary

Give Students a Chance To Be on the Right Side of History

Archon Fung explores the history of student activism at Harvard and argues that such movements often bring a rare sense of “moral clarity” to universities nationwide — a crucial benefit of free speech and peaceful protest.

Can Election Facility Tours Improve Voter Confidence?
Voting booths in polling place

Commentary

Can Election Facility Tours Improve Voter Confidence?

American democracy has faced a crisis of trust in elections, fueled by denialism and movements like “Stop the Steal”. Former Maricopa County recorder and Ash Senior Practice Fellow, Stephen Richer, outlines a potential solution in election administration by offering election facility tours. Finding that witnessing the election process firsthand significantly boosted trust in its integrity, highlighting transparency as a key tool to rebuild voter confidence.