Publications: Toolkits, Reports, Articles, Briefing Papers

Podcasts



Listen in as Public Works joins Radio show host, Kym King, on KPFT (90.1 FM in Houston) for "First Tuesdays." In this show, we discuss the differences between politics and government; the essential role of the public sector in our everyday lives; and encourage people to think about government and politics in a new way.

An Objective Look at Government 
Aired on Tuesday, June 3rd.
with guests Dianne Stewart, Director of Public Works, and Douglas J. Amy, Professor of Politics at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and author of the online resource Government Is Good
Podcast: Click here
Full MP3: Click here

Taxes and their Purpose
Aired on Tuesday, May 6th.
With guest Mike Ettlinger with the Economic Policy Institute and Dianne Stewart with Public Works.
Podcast: Click here
Full MP3: Click here

Talking about Government
Aired on Tuesday, February 5th.
Guests included Public Works staff members, Dianne Stewart, Patrick Bresette, and Marcia Kinsey
Podcast: Click here
Full MP3: Click here

Toolkit

How to Talk about Government Toolkit:  a compendium of research on how Americans think about government.  In addition to research reports, this toolkit includes sample op-eds and speeches which utilize  the research findings.  This toolkit was completed by the FrameWorks institute with support from Demos and the Council for Excellence in Government. 

• Public Briefing is an occasional white paper series by the Public Works program of Demos. These papers include summaries of research and reports as well as essays and articles related to the work of the program.
  • PB #1 - Thinking about Government: Key findings from the first round of cognitive interviews.
  • PB #2 - A Window on Government: An analysis of the images of government in the public mind.
  • PB #3 - Making it Real: Key findings from the second round of cognitive interviews about public perceptions of government.
  • PB #4 - A Focus on Government: Key findings from focus groups.
  • PB #5 - Primroses and Politics. An essay on Colorado's Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR).
  • PB #6 - Public Structures. A constructive model for government.
  • PB #7 -Mission Possible.  Survey results offer additional support for a new and positive conversation about government. 

Reports

• By, or For, the People? A Meta-analysis of Public Opinion of Government. Prepared as part of our How to Talk about Government research project, this report provides an extensive analysis of recent public opinion research on the public's views and perceptions of government. January 2005

Articles

"Redeeming Public Remedy"
The American Prospect
May 2007
Michael Lipsky and Dianne Stewart, Senior Program Director and Director of Public Works at Demos, argue it takes effective government to restore opportunity.  After decades of government-bashing, we need to win back support for what we do in common. 

"The Common Good Depends on Government"
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
February 23, 2006
Michael Lipsky and Dianne Stewart, Senior Program Director and Director of Public Works at Demos, call for nonprofit groups to lead an effort restore widespread appreciation of the critical role of government as a protector of public values and as a place where Americans come together to solve our most pressing problems.

"Starbucks and Healthcare"
Monsters and Critics; United Press International
January 19, 2006
Senior Program Director of Public Works, Michael Lipsky, outlines how Starbucks, the automakers, and others, as signaled by their complaints about healthcare as a cost of production, are becoming allies in the decades-long struggle for national health insurance.

"Under the Radar"
The American Prospect, May 2005 Special Report
May 1, 2005
Michael Lipsky and Dianne Stewart, of Public Works Program, describe the challenges state governments are confronting as a result of the erosion of support for the role of government, and the efforts that are emerging to restore the public sector.

"Bush Misreads Seniors on Social Security"
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
April 30, 2005
Public Works Director Michael Lipsky comments on the concerns of losing Social Security, not only for himself, but generations to come.

"Losing Educational Ground"
Indianapolis Star
June 22, 2004
EOP Director Tamara Draut and Senior Program Director Michael Lipsky commemorate the 60 year-old G.I. Bill by calling for new large-scale investments in educational opportunity.

"Add Another Job to Your List: Be an Advocate for Government"
SPARC Change, National Council of Non-Profit Association, Winter 2004
March 17, 2004
Although nonprofits face a daunting list of demands, they must also be advocates for effective and well-resourced government institutions. (For article, see page 5 of publication)