Unions help foster civic engagement through community, belonging, and shared experiences.
Unions serve as “schools of democracy,” giving members practical opportunities to develop and strengthen democratic skills.
Digital tools expand union access, but work best when paired with in-person relationship building opportunities that make political action personal and accessible.
In a new policy brief, Tova Wang, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, and coauthors Stanislav Rivkin and Eli Melendrez, explore how unions support members to become more actively engaged in civic and political life. The findings demonstrate how community, trusted relationships, leadership development, and collective action can help people build the confidence and practical skills needed to participate in public life. Additionally, the research offers useful lessons for unions and organizations working to strengthen democracy from the ground up.
To read the full paper, scroll up and click “Download the PDF” to the right of your screen.
Tova Wang is the Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice at the Ash Center. A longtime leader in election reform and increasing political participation among marginalized groups, she previously directed policy and research at the Center for Secure and Modern Elections and authored The Politics of Voter Suppression.
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