Sami Sage is a cofounder and chief brand officer of Betches Media, a female-led entertainment and lifestyle platform designed for women to vent and laugh about culture. She is also the host of the award-winning daily news podcast The Morning Announcements.
Emily Amick is a lawyer, journalist, and political analyst who served as counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Through her social media presence, @EmilyinYourPhone, and corresponding newsletter of the same name, she gives people insight into the political process and advice on taking action.
Below, co-authors Sami and Emily share five key insights from their new book, Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives. Listen to the audio version—read by Sami and Emily—in the Next Big Idea App.
1. Apathy is eroding our democracy.
There are many factors to blame for the current degradation of democracy in America. For example, a toxic morass of moneyed authoritarians coupled with capable extremists. But one thing that’s often left out of the conversation is the role that the apathetic, exhausted majority plays in the process. The highest voter turnout ever was 66 percent in 2020. Where is that missing third of the electorate? When fewer people speak up and get involved (especially locally), we create a vacuum where book banners can take seats on the library boards, and a vocal minority of hyper-partisan extremists monopolize the airwaves.
An organization called More In Common found that 67 percent of Americans are part of the Exhausted Majority, people who are frustrated by political polarization and are looking for pragmatic solutions rather than ideological purity. This group feels overwhelmed and disillusioned, leading to their disengagement and silence. However, their silence unintentionally abets those with extreme views and loud voices to dominate and control the public square. If you’re one of the Exhausted Majority who disengages because you believe “politics is corrupt” and the “discourse is toxic,” then you have the power to change the discourse by simply being vocally rational in public.
2. Technology is a double-edged sword for democracy.
Social media is the modern public square and possibly the most powerful tool for civic engagement ever—it connects us, spreads information, and mobilizes action. However, the same platforms that bring us together can also spread misinformation and disinformation like wildfire because they are algorithmically curated to stoke division and easily manipulated by malign forces of all ilks. Still, we can use digital tools to strengthen our democracy, organizing voter registration drives, connecting constituents directly to their government representatives, and building collective power to change the system.
“In-person bonds are the bedrock of a functioning democracy.”
But social media can’t replace the trust and connection built in face-to-face interactions, town hall meetings, and the proverbial “bowling leagues” where neighbors come together to discuss issues that matter to them and foster real relationships and resilient communities. In-person bonds are the bedrock of a functioning democracy. While social media scratches the itch of social connection in our brains, it doesn’t replace the benefits of genuine, in-person friends and connections. Authentic connections keep us grounded in terms of how we perceive our own lives, the innate value of all human beings, and the facts about the world we live in.
3. Action as an antidote to despair.
Many of us are overwhelmed by feelings of political despair. This is something we call the hopelessness spiral: a downward cycle where feelings of powerlessness and disconnection from the political process feed into each other, making it increasingly difficult to take action. The hopelessness spiral starts with a sense of frustration and disappointment in political outcomes. As this frustration grows, individuals begin to feel that their efforts are futile, leading to withdrawal from civic activities. This disengagement amplifies feelings of isolation and helplessness, creating a self-perpetuating loop of inaction and despair.
The way out of the spiral is to take action. No matter how small, every action restores a sense of control and optimism. Engaging in civic activities channels frustrations into constructive efforts, leading to a tangible impact from your contributions and fostering a sense of accomplishment and hope.
Activist and educator Mariame Kaba, whose work focuses on (among other things) violence in the prison-industrial complex, has popularized her teaching that hope is a discipline. It’s not a fuzzy feeling that a happy ending is inevitably on its way; neither is it an emotion, nor a sense of optimism. Hope is a daily practice.
4. Civic engagement is a solution to the loneliness epidemic.
We have a loneliness epidemic in this country, which, according to the Surgeon General, affects about half of U.S. adults. There are tangible personal consequences of this, including a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease, a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, and a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.
“Studies show that people who participate in community activities report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress.”
We argue that civic engagement might just be the cure. Getting involved in your community can boost your mental health by giving you a sense of purpose and connection. Studies show that people who participate in community activities report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress. When you participate in political action rooted in your values, you connect with people on an even higher level than shared activities or interests (though those are great, too!).
Joining community groups or volunteering fosters a sense of belonging crucial for emotional and mental health. Our book includes a story from a woman we interviewed named Jessica, who found new joy and companionship by volunteering. Even though she had initially joined to give back to her community, she found lifelong friends among her fellow volunteers. By connecting with friends and peers regularly, you enrich your life and help create a stronger, more supportive community.
5. Small but consistent actions by all of us add up to meaningful change.
In a world where grand protestations and sweeping reforms often dominate headlines, it’s easy to overlook the power of small, everyday actions. But democracy is very much a “rising tide lifts all boats” situation. We don’t each need to feel the weight of single-handedly solving climate change, but we all must play our own small role in making life a little bit better.
One vote, one-hour of volunteering, and one conversation might seem insignificant, but they contribute to the collective voice that shapes policies and elects leaders who represent the community’s values and needs. Take the classic example of community clean-up initiatives. A single person picking up litter may not transform a neighborhood overnight, but when neighbors join in, the collective effort can lead to a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment.
Moreover, small actions are accessible and manageable, making it easier for more people to get involved. So many of us are already overspent, taking care of children, getting food on the table, and working one, two, or three jobs. The goal is to find civic actions that fit within your life and are sustainable because civic engagement should be a daily habit, not a yearly freakout.
That’s what we hope Democracy in Retrograde will help you accomplish. We take readers through a series of quizzes, questions, and journaling exercises to help them figure out what civic actions will add meaning to their lives, feel authentic, sustainable, and make a difference.
To listen to the audio version read by co-authors Sami Sage and Emily Amick, download the Next Big Idea App today:
