The Democracy Action Network has established several primary objectives that guide our strategic framework across all phases of their activism. These core objectives represent the fundamental purposes driving their organization and inform all their specific goals and activities.
Defend Constitutional Democracy
DAN’s most immediate objective is the defense of American constitutional democracy against perceived authoritarian threats. This involves active protection of democratic institutions including courts, electoral systems, civil service integrity, and press freedom. The organization views this defensive posture as essential for maintaining the constitutional order that enables all other democratic functions. Their commitment to “maintain constitutional order” represents their foundational belief that democratic processes must be defended actively rather than passively.
Build Sustainable Resistance Infrastructure
A second primary objective involves developing the organizational capacity necessary for effective long-term democratic activism. DAN recognizes that momentary mobilization is insufficient for democratic defense and renewal, requiring instead persistent, organized resistance. This objective encompasses creating coalition networks connecting disparate organizations, establishing communication systems for coordinated action, developing training programs for activists, and securing sustainable funding mechanisms. Through this infrastructure development, DAN aims to transform spontaneous activism into strategic, sustained democratic engagement.
Restore Democratic Governance
Beyond defensive measures, DAN’s third primary objective focuses on restoring democratic governance through institutional means. This involves their explicit electoral goals of gaining congressional control in 2026 and presidential power in 2028. The organization views electoral success as instrumental rather than an end itself—a necessary step toward reinstating democratic norms, reversing authoritarian policies, and implementing new democratic safeguards. This restoration objective bridges their immediate defensive stance with their longer-term transformative vision.
Advance Inclusive Democracy
DAN’s fourth primary objective moves beyond restoration toward transformation, seeking to create a more inclusive democratic system. This objective acknowledges that pre-existing democratic arrangements contained significant exclusions and inequities requiring remediation. Their goal of developing “prosperity for all communities” and creating an “inclusive democracy” represents their commitment to expanding democratic participation beyond traditional boundaries. This objective encompasses addressing systemic economic inequalities, enhancing civic engagement among marginalized communities, and developing participatory democratic models.
Foster Democratic National Unity
The final primary objective focuses on addressing the cultural and social dimensions of democratic crisis. DAN identifies deepening polarization and the erosion of shared civic values as fundamental threats to democratic stability. Through their commitment to “bridge cultural/political divides” and build a “patriotic democratic culture,” the organization seeks to reclaim patriotic symbols and narratives from ethnonationalist interpretations. This objective involves developing dialogue frameworks across divides, promoting civic education, and articulating democratic values that can unite diverse constituencies.
These five primary objectives—defending constitutional democracy, building resistance infrastructure, restoring democratic governance, advancing inclusive democracy, and fostering democratic national unity—represent the essential purposes guiding the Democracy Action Network’s comprehensive approach to democratic activism in the post-2024 political landscape.
