Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · 14d

People like me, who have spent a lifetime building credibility, face a real problem when most Americans no longer trust institutions. We need to face the new terms of trust for our expertise to matter. Renée DiResta@noUpside & I wrote this to explain why & how: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies

To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.

carnegieendowment.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Sep 4

Given strategies that are not working like they used to and a slashed budget, how does international democracy support need to change? What Future for International Democracy Support? - TWP Community of Practice Webinar: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8-O...

What Future for International Democracy Support? - TWP Community of Practice Webinar

YouTube video by TWP Community of Practice

www.youtube.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jul 24

I warned that Trump would create build a new spoils system: (www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...): 1 fire civil service; 2 Make clear you keep your job only via loyalty; 3) move jobs to districts where their votes could make a difference. It is starting: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

There's No Substitute For Public Opinion

What democracy defenders can learn from the presidency of Andrew Jackson.

www.persuasion.community

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jun 26

This is the blueprint- we know what to do. Can our country do it? amandaripley.substack.com/p/how-to-pre...

How to Prevent Political Violence

“At some point, you got to look in the mirror, when you look at what’s going on here — every single elected official does.” ~ Sen. Amy Klobuchar

amandaripley.substack.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Apr 11

We need to stand together - Scouting America declared woke. Churches sued for helping immigrants - WWJD? Palestinians& supporters should be free to speak & protest peacefully in a free society. Daughters of the American Revolution should remind people why many left Europe (hint: freedom of belief)

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Apr 11

This. Is. So. Important. nonprofitquarterly.org/unite-in-adv...

Unite in Advance: Philanthropy Coalition Launches Solidarity Campaign - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

We’re announcing a public sign-on statement to support philanthropy’s freedom to give. We are united to protect our freedom to express ourselves, to give, and to invest in our communities. Join us by ...

nonprofitquarterly.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Apr 7

Hm - wish someone would have told us that stock markets plummet and have a lot more volatility in the second term of a politician like Trump. Oh, wait, I wrote that last summer w/Roberto Foa in the Harvard Biz Review: hbr.org/2024/10/when...

When Populists Rise, Economies Usually Fall

Business leaders are quick to abhor left-wing populism, with its government giveaways to supporters, spending on boondoggle projects, and disregard for financial discipline and investor confidence. Th...

hbr.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Mar 18

Why are we unilaterally disarming from fighting Russia, China, and other authoritarians? Because that is what Trump wants: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

The Situation: Unilateral Disarmament in the Information Wars

It’s easy to understand why Trump is destroying Voice of America.

www.lawfaremedia.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Mar 17

This: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Why Trump is ending U.S. democracy promotion abroad

Defunding Voice of America and Freedom House only helps the world’s despots.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Feb 25

The people I grew up with and the world I grew up in - Alaskans take every bit of power and agency they had and use it - along with our Senator Murkowski, bless her: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

In Nome, Alaska, a cadre of tinkerers and partisans keeps aiding Ukraine

These volunteers won’t let go of the cause as Russia’s war on Ukraine enters a fourth year. They’ve sent ambulances, generators and more to the front line.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Feb 18

It's always worth paying attention to Theda Skocpol: newrepublic.com/article/1905...

How to Take Heart From What Really Worked in the First Resistance

Marches and lawsuits are fine, but the real wins over MAGA last time were powered by grassroots activists pushing from thousands of districts across the country.

newrepublic.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Feb 14

It's been a dark time in America - but there are things regular people can do, right now. Stop doomscrolling. Join or create local, in-person groups across partisan lines if possible to build community and connection. Support local news. More here: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-you-ca...

How *you* can protect democracy

29 concrete actions you can take right now to protect our system of government

www.ifyoucankeepit.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Feb 12

x.com/bariweiss/st...

x.com

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Reposted by Rachel Kleinfeld

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · Feb 10

WSJ, last 48 hours:

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Feb 6

Fighting Trump's destruction successfully requires getting the American people on our side. There is NO SUBSTITUTE in the courts or anywhere else for public opinion: www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...

There's No Substitute For Public Opinion

What democracy defenders can learn from the presidency of Andrew Jackson.

www.persuasion.community

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jan 30

I love @LetGrowOrg and this is a particularly great post: letgrow.org/parents-peac...

Is Peace of Mind for Parents Even Possible?

Parents are told that by tracking their kids, they can feel peace of mind. But in truth, only letting go builds a parents’ confidence.

letgrow.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jan 23

People keep asking me about the effects of the Jan 6 pardons on future political violence. Here's a quick take: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

How will militias, extremists respond to Jan. 6 pardons?

President Trump told Fox News that it would have been too “cumbersome” to review each case individually.

www.wbur.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jan 14

What do funders need to do to support democracy? Prudential risk mitigation, and then real moral courage , recognize that the best defense is a good offense! www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/mitigat...

Mitigate Risk, Stand Strong: Defending Civil Society in 2025

With civic organizations and funders facing imminent threats from the incoming administration, guest author Rachel Kleinfeld argues philanthropy should avoid appeasement.

www.insidephilanthropy.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Jan 6

The anniversary of Jan 6 is as good a time as any for U.S. business to understand that their glee may be misplaced: @robertofoa and I on "What a Trump Presidency Means for U.S. Business" www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/o...

Opinion | What a Trump Presidency Means for U.S. Business

Populists may promise low taxes and deregulation, but they also undermine the institutions that help an economy run smoothly.

www.nytimes.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Dec 13

Such a good podcast conversation with Nic Cheeseman on how to bring down the threats and violence against candidates we are seeing in the US, France, and Germany newbooksnetwork.com/how-to-tackl...

How to Tackle Political Violence - New Books Network

newbooksnetwork.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Dec 12

I would be surprised if militias don't end up playing a role - probably highly localized, working with local sheriffs or local units of CBP rather than something national. Governments use militias to maintain deniability abut their actions.

Teddy Wilson @reportbywilson.bsky.social · Dec 12

. @heidibeirich.bsky.social: “The dangers are considerable and could include militias engaging in violence against immigrants. Besides, these groups exist outside the legal rules that federal agents would have to follow. So under what authority would they even be taking part in this?”

Far-Right Militias Seek Role in Trump Deportation Plan

The incoming administration said it would not rely on outside groups to carry out its plan to deport millions of immigrants, but militias have a long record of inserting themselves into patrolling the...

www.nytimes.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Dec 10

Miriam-Webster's just picked their Word of the Year. It's "Polarization". What to do about it? My thoughts at Obama's Democracy Summit last week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVao...

Why Pluralism Matters: Rachel Kleinfeld at the 2024 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment

www.youtube.com

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Dec 10

Anyone who wants to unseat a dictatorship - or preserve a democracy - needs to deeply understand the armed forces of a country. This piece by @SayighYezid is key to understanding what just occurred in Syria: carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/...

Anatomy of a Military Fall

Why did Bashar al-Assad’s armed forces fail to act, unlike those in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Sudan?

carnegieendowment.org

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Rachel Kleinfeld @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social · Dec 9

So I did this cool thing with the Obama Foundation last week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVao...

Why Pluralism Matters: Rachel Kleinfeld at the 2024 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Rachel Kleinfeld

Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · Dec 6

History shows 2 common responses to diversity: the creation of hierarchy & repression.

@rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social highlights pluralism as a third path—one that embraces equality & cooperation to strengthen society.

Watch her talk at the Obama Foundation #DemocracyForum ➡️ youtu.be/aVao3K8yFDs

Why Pluralism Matters: Rachel Kleinfeld at the 2024 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

buff.ly

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