As the nation’s largest city, New York has historically been home to many of the leading intellectuals and advocates in the country and some of the most important policy innovations – from public housing to business improvement districts to civilian oversight of the police.  Today, there are numerous, disparate, single-issue groups in the City doing worthwhile work to develop the next generation of public policy.  But they often cannot reach policy-makers, opinion-leaders and the public. 

The New Democracy Project (NDP) is a national/urban affairs institute utilizing the assets of New York City to promote democratic participation, economic fairness and social justice.  Due to its existing relationships with leading progressive scholars and advocates, government officials, labor and business leaders and the media, NDP is uniquely positioned to cost-effectively counter the conservative consensus now dominating the public conversation.

The political right has the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute and the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. and the Manhattan Institute in New York City.  With a combined annual budget of $80 million, these groups pose a formidable challenge to progressive values and programs.  The New Democracy Project, however, offers a different paradigm.  In addition to quality research, the New Democracy Project understands the importance of translating complex issues into appealing, understandable language without sacrificing sophistication. 

Moreover, the New Democracy Project recognizes that the political left’s routine responses to the traditional conservative arguments are no longer sufficient.  A new approach must be adopted that uses varied media to communicate a progressive message.  From writing major popular books to publishing a monthly e-newsletter, and from writing columns in national publications to debating the Right on television, the New Democracy Project recognizes that a multi-tiered approach is necessary to overcome the current conservative hegemony in media and government.

Today’s controversy is tomorrow’s consensus. Through innovative research and communications strategies, NDP is developing and delivering practical progressive ideas to both policymakers and the public.