Josh Lerner
joshalerner.bsky.social
Josh Lerner
@joshalerner.bsky.social
640 followers 240 following 2.6K posts
People Powered co-director, Participatory Budgeting Project founder, #MakingDemocracyFun author. Posts about participatory democracy, vegan eats, dad jokes. he/él
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📰 It's time for a fourth branch of government.
In @bostonglobe.com today, Marjan Ehsassi & I call for creating a randomly selected House of the People. Our institutions of democracy are failing. We need to try a new approach. Read how it could work and why this is feasible and strategic even now.
It’s time for a fourth branch of government - The Boston Globe
When politicians fail to solve thorny policy issues, they should put the question to a House of the People.
www.bostonglobe.com
The real highlight of #TheLifeofaShowgirl is how it reminded me to listen to #BRAT again. 🙏🏼
Reposted by Josh Lerner
Another violent attack by an ICE officer on a civilian at 26 Federal Plaza—this time on a journalist, who had to be carried out on stretcher.

Another attack on the First Amendment, our neighbors, and our democracy.
Reposted by Josh Lerner
I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)
Reposted by Josh Lerner
From a 2 million-strong online petition in France to new insights on Euroscepticism, crowdlaw and disinformation, there's plenty happening in democratic innovation.

Learn more in the latest Nets4Dem newsletter 👇
bit.ly/47M5eZM
“Democracy is, in the beginning and in the end, a belief that we can live together despite difference and choose the future together.” @anandwrites.bsky.social
🙏🏼
open.substack.com/pub/anandwri...
ESSAY: A turning point
On Charlie Kirk, civic contempt, and the endangered idea at democracy's heart
open.substack.com
Reposted by Josh Lerner
I'm laughing my ASS off at the Cuomo commercials telling us he's ready on DAY ONE to make housing affordable in NYC because he is experienced, LMAO!!!! Yes he's experienced at being bought by big real estate & at insuring that you won't be able to afford to live in the city if you're working class.
This is an illegal war of aggression. There is no direct threat, no provocation, no need, and no Congressional approval. The only people this serves are the autocrats trying to cling to power.
#NoKings in Kings County, or anywhere in the US!
Reposted by Josh Lerner
Globally, communities are facing urgent challenges, and participatory democracy is delivering solutions.

So far, we've helped launch or improve 85 participatory programs, supported 1,100 democracy champions + more!

See how we’re building a more inclusive future: www.peoplepowered.org/our-impact
Our Impact — People Powered
Learn how we solve global challenges by supporting participatory democracy around the world
www.peoplepowered.org
Join me at the @epd.eu annual conference in Brussels, to reboot democracy!
The EPD Annual Conference is around the corner!
📌 We are not even halfway, but we are already sure about this: 2025 will go into history books!
With funding restrictions and increasing attacks on civil society, democracy support will need to show resilience and adaptability. 🧵
Reposted by Josh Lerner
You don't have to push for democracy alone.

Join 200+ global members for learning, funding, and real impact. 🌍 New members this month could win a global feature, and contributions are matched 4-to-1.

Apply now: www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

#PeoplePowered #ParticipatoryDemocracy
Grow with the People Powered community: Join us as a member! — People Powered
An awesome network of peers? Check. Expert fundraising support? Double-check. See the rest inside!
www.peoplepowered.org
Some fun news: I’m thrilled to join the Board of Directors of Thrive Philanthropy, a global grantmaker that accelerates just, sustainable, plant-based food systems around the world. Check them out, and let me know if you’re interested in learning more! www.thrivephilanthropy.org
I’m so thankful to Michael Cross-Barnet for shared Caitlin’s powerful story in this Washington Post article. The trauma is cruel. Sharing it is resistance, and humanity.

You can read it here, not behind a paywall:
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working.
Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”
www.washingtonpost.com
Flying back to the US from Europe. Emptiest flight I’ve been on. I imagine like trains into Germany back in 1934.
Q&A on democracy in Germany: How can local community participation help prevent the rise of far right parties like AfD? By bringing people together to share grievances, feel heard, and understand those who are different. @peoplepowered.org
This is a must read report for anyone working on democracy, participation, and deliberation. It’s the rare report that shows you how you’ve been doing your work wrong, and offers practical guidance on how to do it better. Take a look!👇🏼
What happens after democratic innovations? 🧭

Our new report draws lessons from 17 senior civil servants across Europe - showing how to embed participation into everyday governance.

10 takeaways and open questions 👉 bit.ly/3Gk86S0
Reposted by Josh Lerner
Read this piece from two of our world's best thinkers on democracy. It offers a practical but revolutionary idea for the United States.
📰 It's time for a fourth branch of government.
In @bostonglobe.com today, Marjan Ehsassi & I call for creating a randomly selected House of the People. Our institutions of democracy are failing. We need to try a new approach. Read how it could work and why this is feasible and strategic even now.
It’s time for a fourth branch of government - The Boston Globe
When politicians fail to solve thorny policy issues, they should put the question to a House of the People.
www.bostonglobe.com