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Achieving prosperity and opportunity for all in America requires strong, well-maintained public structures. From our public library systems and fair business regulations to our law enforcement agencies, social services and the roads we drive one, these public structures--our government--are the laws, regulations, systems, public programs, and infrastructure we have collectively created and which we must maintain to ensure our future success as a nation.
Despite the importance of our public structures to our quality of life, the general public's conception of our government is deeply negative. Americans have come to view government as either partisan political theater or a bureaucratic mess.
We believe America is at it's best
...when we work together...
...when we each strive to be engaged citizens...
...when we see beyond our self interests to the needs of our communities...
We believe we must today return to these fundamental principles. | Deep cynicism and disconnection has undermined a needed appreciation and support of the public sector's essential role in our society. Our government today is hobbled and suspect, under-resourced and incapacitated. And yet, the myriad challenges and opportunities that lay before us as a country demand a public sector empowered and able to play its rightful and effective role. It is time for a new discussion about government's mission and purpose and a reengagement of the public in creating the public sector we need and deserve.
Public Works is working with a wide variety of constituencies across the country in an effort to build public support for the public sector. While our work is based on the findings of a comprehensive research project conducted by the FrameWorks Institute for Public Works and the Council for Excellence in Government, we are not trying to simply give advocates a new message for talking about government. Rather, we are hoping to create public imagination and aspiration for a government that works for everybody, that embodies Americans' values, that has the capacity to meet the challenges ahead, and that can engage the public in a vision for the future.
Public Works Program Staff
Dianne Stewart, Director
dstewart@demos.org
t. 512.347.7404
Michael Lipsky, Senior Program Director
mlipsky@demos.org
Patrick Bresette, Associate Program Director
pbresette@demos.org
t. 512.303.5899
Marcia Kinsey, Program Associate
mkinsey@demos.org
t. 512.771-5366
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